TRAVEL: The 50 best hikes in L.A.

(Matt Pawlik)

Amboy Crater

Hills of Los Angeles

(Photograph by Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times
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The 50 best hikes in L.A.

If Mother Nature made a to-do list for L.A., this might be it. These 50-plus hikes capture all that Southern California has to offer. Ocean views? Check. Desert drama? Check. Lung-busting, high-elevation peaks? Check and check. This list is designed to inspire, with something for novice to veteran hikers. Distance and elevation gains may vary, depending on which navigation tool you use. Some hikes require an Adventure Pass or other permits; check beforehand. Grab a map, guidebook or your favorite trail app to get started on discovering all the local outdoors has to offer.

This story is part of our ultimate guide to hiking in L.A.

TUJUNGA, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Hikers enjoy a view at lower Switzer Falls on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 in Tujunga, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

(Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Switzer Falls

 4.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 Less than 1,000 feet

Water, water, water. It’s the most sought-after item on a Southern California hike, whether it’s bottled in your pack or streaming down a hillside in front of you. The waterfalls in the front range of the Angeles National Forest are popular (code for “expect big crowds, especially on hot weekends”), but that’s no reason to avoid them. The site was one of the first mountain resorts to open to “tourist hikers” in 1884, and it’s easy to see why. The downhill hike drops you to the top of the falls and then into cool Bear Canyon. Refresh yourself at the 50-foot lower falls and maybe take a swim in its pool (the upper falls are hard to access on a sketchy route). Hang out by the water or in one of the shady picnic areas along the way. The way out is the same — only uphill. Go early to snag a parking spot and beat the hordes.

Park and start at the Switzer Picnic Area on the Angeles Crest Highway about 10 miles north of La Cañada Flintridge. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Mt. Hollywood.

(Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Hollywood

Griffith Park Urban Trail
 5.0-mile loop
 Moderate
 1,500 feet

You can’t call yourself a Los Angeles hiker without a trek to this Griffith Park peak. Views from the top start at Griffith Observatory below and then sweep west from downtown L.A. to Hollywood, Century City and the ocean, when there’s no haze or fog. At night, the panorama changes to a carpet of twinkling lights. Griffith J. Griffith donated the land to the city in 1896 as “a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people.” There are shorter routes to this peak, but the trail from the park’s merry-go-round parking lot maxes out on views and parking.

Park and start at the merry-go-round parking lot/Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Hoyt

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Hoyt Mountain

 5.5-mile loop
 Moderate
 1,699 feet

Hoyt, just 11 miles north of La Cañada-Flintridge, is one of the close-to-home front-range peaks in the Angeles National Forest that is easily overlooked. The broad, flat summit has vertical rock slabs that frame views of distant downtown Los Angeles. At less than 5,000 feet in elevation, it’s seems as if it should be an easy climb. Don’t be fooled. The goat trail to the top makes this a serious workout, and a few false summits will keep you sucking in air to the end. Start on an easy canyon trail from Clear Creek Junction and make a loop on the return route through a picnic area dense with pine trees.

Park in the lot and start at the Clear Creek Visitor Information Center (which is closed because of COVID-19) on the Angeles Crest Highway. Directions to trailhead.

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ZABRISKIE POINT / GOLDEN CANYON / GOWER GULCH LOOP Length: 5.75-mile loop Elevation gain: 1100 feet Trailhead: 5 miles southeast of Furnace Creek, off the CA-190 Parking: Paved lot (National Park entrance fee required) Looking for the most awe-inspiring hike in Death Valley National Park? We can point you in the right direction. The strenuous, but highly rewarding trek from famous Zabriskie Point combines both Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch loop trails for a show-stopping workout. The panoramic lookout, named after the manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company (partially responsible for increased tourism here) and part of the Black Mountains of the Amargosa Range, offers jaw-dropping vistas of the erosional golden-brown hills below, as well as the salt flats and Panamint Mountains beyond. Few hikers go further than the paved overlook, but those who descend into the slot canyons of the sun-drenched badlands are rewarded with close-ups of prominent rock features, such as Manly Beacon and Red Cathedral. The hike back up is tough, but make it your turning point, not your breaking point as you complete your aureate ascent through the dry gorge. Zabriskie you there! 50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Zabriskie

(Matt Pawlik)

Zabriskie Point/Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch Loop

 5.75-mile loop
 Moderate
 1,100 feet

Looking for an awe-inspiring hike in Death Valley? The highly rewarding trek from famous Zabriskie Point combines Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch loop trails for a showstopping workout. The panoramic lookout, named after the manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Co. (partly responsible for increased tourism here),offers jaw-dropping vistas of the golden-brown hills below as well as the salt flats and Panamint Mountains beyond. Few hikers go farther than the paved overlook, but those who descend into the slot canyons of the badlands are rewarded with close-ups of Manly Beacon, Red Cathedral and other prominent rock features. The hike back up is tough but make it your turning point, not your breaking point, as you complete your ascent through the dry gorge.

Park in paved lot, start five miles southeast of Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park. Directions to trailhead.

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 Jennifer Shupper heads up the steep route on the Beaudry South Motorway trail in Glendale

(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

Beaudry Loop

Glendale Urban Trail
 5.8-mile loop
 Moderate
 1,368 feet

Don’t be put off by the cushy Glendale neighborhood at the trailhead. Soon you’re climbing up fire roads in the Verdugo Mountains that get your heart pumping. The trail slowly reveals views of more of the mountain range between Glendale and Burbank and the neighborhoods that sprang up below. At the intersection with a north and south loop, go either way to 2,656-foot Tongva Peak, named for the Native Americans who thrived in the local mountains. Take a break at the top and marvel at how wild this spot feels despite the urban clutter below. Complete the loop and you’re done.

Park on the road and start at Beaudry Boulevard off Country Club Drive in Glendale. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Henninger Flats

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Henninger Flats

Pasadena Urban Trail
 5.9-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,555 feet

There’s nothing but shade and trees on this ridge high above Altadena. The pop-up tree nursery that started here more than a century ago still raises baby trees used to replant the forest after fires and other catastrophes. The route up follows an exposed, steep fire road before arriving at benches and picnic tables amid tall pines, cedars and firs. There’s overnight camping, a 1925-era fire lookout that was moved from the Santa Monica Mountains to this site and a visitor center that’s usually open in non-pandemic times.

Park and start at Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena (reservations required). Directions to trailhead.

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MALIBU, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Upper portions of the Rising Sun Trail afford elevated ocean views in Solstice Canyon park located within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Malibu off Corral Canyon Road near Pacific Coast Highway. There is a picturesque, mostly level and shaded canyon hike. Another feature is the Solstice Canyon Loop is a 3.2 mile loop which climbs the hills affording beautiful views of the ocean at the top. The trail rated as moderate is used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. The Solstice Canyon Trail is a popular, well-maintained route with some spur-trail opportunities for more adventurous travelers. Solstice Canyon on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 in Malibu, CA. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times). 50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Solstice Canyon.

(Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)

Solstice Canyon

Malibu Urban Trail
 6.0-mile loop
 Moderate
 Less than 1,000 feet

The shady Malibu canyon takes you mental miles from the city and provides a sweet introduction to the Santa Monica Mountains. The hike gets high marks for a small waterfall (which may or may not be flowing) and the ruins of Roberts Ranch, which belonged to the successful grocery-chain operator Fred Roberts. The brick fireplace, foundation and other fragments of the midcentury home remain. It was designed in 1952 by Black architect Paul Revere Williams, who had designed much of the remodeled Beverly Hills Hotel. Start up the Rising Sun Trail that winds through sycamores, oaks and alders, walk the loop at the top and then descend on the main road.

Park and start at Solstice Canyon park entrance in Malibu. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Mt. Lee

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Lee

Hollywood Hills Urban Trail
 6.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,098 feet

Every visitor to L.A. you host will pester you to take them to the Hollywood sign. The best way is to go on foot in Griffith Park. Spoiler alert: It’s forbidden to touch or get close to the city’s most recognizable landmark. It’s blocked off by a chain-link fence. You can, however, hike to 1,709-foot Mt. Lee where you’ll be above and behind the sign. The 50-foot letters stand like sentinels on the hillside, a sign put up in 1923 with “land” tacked to the end to advertise a real estate development. Now hikers look down from this point at mansions surrounding the deep blue Hollywood Reservoir. (Try to ignore the 300-foot broadcast tower and complex off to the side.) There are several ways to get to the sign; Modern Hiker recommends taking the Brush Canyon Trail with an add-on to see the Bat Cave from the 1960s “Batman” TV series.

Park in a lot and start at Brush Canyon/Canyon Drive West in Griffith Park. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Nicolas Flat

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Nicholas Flat

 6.9-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,664 feet

You need a good reason to turn your back on a Malibu beach. This hike may be it. The Nicholas Flat trail starts at Leo Carrillo State Park and travels inland and uphill to a ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains. The terrain and the views make this one of the best coastal hikes around; savor the views as you take breaks along the way. The “flat” part of the hike leads to grassy meadows, a pond you can loop around and stands of live oaks. Stay awhile and explore before heading back to the beach. Look for coreopsis, big shaggy yellow flowers, that dot the hillsides in early spring.

Park at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu and start from there. Directions to trailhead.

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SIMI VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 11: A view of the San Fernando Valley from Rocky Peak Road near the Los Angeles County - Ventura County line. Photographed on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 in Simi Valley, CA. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Rocky Peak

(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Rocky Peak

 8.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,804 feet

This Simi Valley hike isn’t on the radar of many hikers. It should be. Locals know these hills as the place where pioneers set up ranch life in the early 19th century. It’s easy to conjure the Old West as you hike amid dramatic rock slabs and grassy hillsides that are brown in summer, green in spring. The small 2,717-foot peak lives up to its name; it’s just a few slabs that are hard to find and hard to get to. Look for a running trail and scramble a bit for views that put you at eye level with turkey vultures riding thermals in lazy loops. Take this hike on a cool day; you’ll hate yourself if you go in summer. “No shade ever,”states one trail app. Spend some time looking for the grooves of covered-wagon wheels etched in the rocks beneath your feet.

Park and start at the Chumash Trail on Flanagan Drive in Simi Valley. Directions to trailhead.

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ALTADENA, CA - FEBRUARY 18: The Mueller Tunnel connects Eaton Saddle to trails for multiple peaks. Currently, the entrance to Mt. Wilson Red Box Road is closed to vehicle traffic requiring a 2.3 mile hike to the saddle trailhead. Alternatively, Mt. Disappointment Road and Bill Reily Trail can be used to hike in. Photographed on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 in Altadena, CA. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Eaton Saddle

 8.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,804 feet

It’s time for peakomania! The saddle off Mt. Wilson Road in the Angeles National Forest is a stepping-off point to four peaks, which you can do in a day. It’s a good uphill workout if you haven’t been hiking in a while. Don’t be misled by the low mileage; the ups and downs keep this route challenging and filled with panoramas of L.A. and beyond. From the trailhead, walk a half-mile through a tunnel. The first peak is Mt. Markham (5,729 feet), a hulking mass with a trail that climbs a steep, rocky spine. Then take out-and-back routes to bag Mt. Disappointment (5,968 feet), which has radio towers on top; the prettier San Gabriel Peak (6,161 feet); and Mt. Lowe (5,574), the farthest away.

Park and start at Eaton Saddle near Red Box, about seven miles north of La Cañada Flintridge on Angeles Crest Highway (California 2). Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Strawberry Peak.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Strawberry Peak

 7.2-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 1,788 feet

Hikers supposedly named the peak for its shape, an upside-down strawberry. At 6,142 feet, it’s the high spot in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains, barely nosing out San Gabriel Peak. The trail starts gently and then comes to a long saddle. The goat trail on the left starts steeply down before heading upward, at times on slippery loose dirt and scree. You’ll come to what you think is the top but it’s a false summit. Press on. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the rocky top and a chance to pause and enjoy the well-earned views of the Arroyo Seco and Big Tujunga watersheds.

Start at Red Box, almost seven miles north of La Cañada Flintridge on Angeles Crest Highway (California 2). Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Mt. Josephine.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Josephine

 8.7-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 2,050 feet

Let this peak be your gateway to the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest. The most scenic route starts at Colby Canyon, which winds past a small creek (when there’s water) with big rock walls. The climb continues on a narrow trail that switchbacks up the canyon. Soak up the views and the terrain before continuing past Douglas firs and pines that add a big forest feel. Three lime-green shelves stand at the 5,558-foot summit, remnants of a fire tower that burned in 1976. Visitors seem compelled to place rocks and keepsakes on the shelves.

Park at a pullout and start on the trail at Angeles Crest Highway (California 2), 10 miles north of La Cañada Flintridge. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Lukens, Stone Canyon.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Lukens

 9.0-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 3,266 feet

To experience L.A.’s highest and lowest points, dip your toe in the Pacific then hike to the 5,066-foot summit of Mt. Lukens. It’s barely within city limits, but it counts as the top of the city. (By comparison, the Wilshire Grand skyscraper in downtown L.A. rises just 1,100 feet.) The peak doesn’t impress; it hosts several communications towers, some that hum noisily. It’s the journey and the views that make Lukens worthwhile . The most popular routes start at George Deukmejian Wilderness Park in Glendale, where buckwheat, paintbrush and monkeyflowers bloom in spring. The harder trail winds up quieter, shaded Stone Canyon; you may not see another soul all day.

Park on the road and start at the Wildwood Picnic Area, 3299 Big Tujunga Canyon Road, Tujunga. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Hidden Pond.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Hidden Pond/Coyote Trail

Urban Trail
 9.1-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,742 feet

The hike takes you to the lonely northwest corner of Point Mugu State Park. The vernal pond is elusive; it may not appear even after heavy rains. When it does, ducks and red-winged blackbirds can be seen amid the tall grasses on the perimeter. Even without water, the pond’s wide, shallow meadow makes a nice rest stop. Keep going on the Coyote Trail, which rolls up and down through greened-up hillsides dotted with shrubs charred by previous fires. This hike puts you in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, reaching a few high points that offer ocean views of Malibu and the Oxnard Plain.

Park in lot, start at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa on Sycamore Canyon Road. Coyote Trail adds 2.2 miles and less than 1,000 feet of gain. Directions to trailhead.

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(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Inspiration Point

 10.0-mile loop
 Strenuous
 2,746 feet

It’s a big boast to claim the name Inspiration Point. The wooden shelter with picnic benches on a flat stretch in the San Gabriels above Altadena proclaims the title with a huge sign. There is also a slew of metal spotting scopes labeled “Locating Redondo Beach,” “Locating the Rose Bowl” and so on, pointed at landmarks and destinations around Southern California. On a clear day, you might see the ocean and Santa Catalina; under thick fog, you’ll be lucky to find the trail down. The trail climbs 2½ miles to Echo Mountain, the site of a one-time resort hotel and railway that welcomed visitors during L.A.’s great hiking era (1880s to the 1930s). Only ruins are left. From there, make a loop by going up the Sam Merrill Trail and down the steep but beautiful Castle Canyon. Inspiring? Sometimes, and a good workout too.

Park on the street, start at the end of Lake Avenue in Altadena. Directions to trailhead.

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LITTLE HARBOR, CA - AUGUST 10: A beach-goer walks his dog at sunset in front of the campground, overlooking Little Harbor Monday, Aug. 10, 2020 in Catalina, CA. The bison were brought to Catalina Island in 1924 for the production of The Vanishing American. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Little Harbor

 10.2-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 1,300 feet

L.A. is lucky to have Santa Catalina just an hour away. Hiking has exploded since 2009 when the Trans-Catalina Island Trail opened, a rugged 38-mile east-west route across the island. One of the prettiest segments starts at Two Harbors on the island’s quieter side and winds on fire roads and trails to a beach at Little Harbor. Relax before retracing your steps, then treat yourself to a meal at Harbor Reef Restaurant. Check hiking rules and permits at catalinaconservancy.org.

Start and end at Two Harbors. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Mt. Pacifico.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Pacifico

Palmdale
 12.0-mile loop
 Strenuous
 2,200 feet

The hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail on one of its less traveled segments in Southern California. In early spring, look for fast-moving thru-hikers doing the entire 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada. The route that begins in the Sunland area winds uphill to a flat ridge and, as you move higher, to pine-covered hillsides. In spring, you’ll find wildflowers and bright red snow plants that pop up after the melt. A short, steep, calf-burning trail leads straight to the summit. On top, you’ll see a ring of boulders — plus a campground, picnic tables and a bathroom — and expansive panoramas of the San Gabriels as well as the desert-flat Antelope Valley and Little Rock below.

Start at Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area off Angeles Forest Highway. Directions to trailhead.

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The opening of an unprecedented expansion of the Valley's 4th largest park happened Saturday morning above the Sunland-Burbank hills. 80 acres where purchased and will help preserve open space at Verdugo Mountains Park. 50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Verdugo Traverse.

(Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times)

Verdugo Mountains Traverse

Shadow Hills Urban Trail
 12.6-mile point-to-point
 Strenuous
 2,559 feet

The one-way route crosses the lesser-known Verdugo Mountains in the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley. Views are good all along the trail, which takes the sting out of hiking on wide dirt roads that start and end in residential neighborhoods. It follows three named “motorways” — Chandler, Verdugo and Las Flores — and passes Verdugo and Tongva peaks. You can cross the range many different ways; AllTrails has a good route, starting in Sun Valley and ending in Glendale, that’s easy to follow. Don’t forget to leave a car at the endpoint.

Park on the street and start on Olive Terrace Trail in Sun Valley. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Bulldog Motor

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Bulldog Loop Trail

Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains
 14.7-mile loop
 Strenuous
 3,047 feet

Get ready for a tough, long hike in the Santa Monica Mountains that starts inland and circles out to lofty ocean views. The best part of the trail follows the 67½-mile Backbone Trail high above the coast to Corral Canyon, where massive sandstone slabs impress. More impressive: They were formed in the ocean during ancient times, which is hard to believe as you look down on the distant water. The hike follows the wide, dirt Bulldog Motorway, which feels like an endless climb, before swinging out toward the ocean and back inland. Along the way, look for man-made Century Lake, the filming site of the 1970s-’80s TV show “MASH,” a meditation circle made from small rocks and oak-filled Tapia Park. Take care on the short walk on Las Virgenes Road before rejoining the trail.

$12 to park, start at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Mt. Baldy. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Baldy

Mountain Trail
 13.4-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 4,000 feet

This jewel of Southern California has a classier name: Mt. San Antonio. Baldy is just its nickname, probably because of its treeless flanks. The highest point in L.A. County soars above Claremont and offers the best hard training around. Need elevation? Baldy sits at 10,069 feet Need aerobic conditioning? One route rises 1,000 feet per mile. Need comfort? Stop for a beer or a burger at Top of the Notch, a slope-side restaurant that hums with skiers in winter and mountain cyclists and hikers in summer. But first you must bag the peak. Start up the wide fire road to the restaurant and continue uphill where the path narrows to one-way foot traffic on the Devil’s Backbone. At the top, views are epic in all directions; retrace your steps to return. Once you’ve mastered this hike, take on longer and steeper routes. But first, catch your breath.

Park at the trailhead; start at Manker Flat near Mt. Baldy Village. Directions to trailhead.

50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. San Jacinto trail. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. San Jacinto

Mountain Trail
 14.0-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 4,520 feet

Prepare for One Serious Hike. Of the three highest peaks in SoCal, this one may have the most beautiful trails, particularly the tough route that climbs more than 4,500 feet to the top. The Marion Mountain Trail starts in Idyllwild and continues upward through shaded forest, then opens up to boulders, then water seeps where columbines and cow lilies bloom. When you close in on the 10,834-foot peak, look for a stone hut stocked with emergency supplies; feel free to wander in and have a look. Now you’re close. You may have to wait your turn for a shot at the scramble to the small rock summit. Yep, it gets that busy.

Start at Marion Mountain Trail in Idyllwild. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. San Gorgonio, South Fork Trail. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. San Gorgonio

Mountain Trail
 19.0-mile loop
 Strenuous
 4,567 feet

San G tops out at 11,499 feet in elevation, the tallest in Southern California, and is located in the San Bernardino National Forest. It’s a desirable peak, but recent wildfires have not been kind to the mountain. The trail from South Fork to the top burned five years ago and still shows charred trees and other signs of fire damage. The El Dorado fire swept through last year and has keep the wilderness area closed ever since. It might open in time for summer hiking. The long, winding way starts at South Fork and a pretty meadow and a (sometimes) lake before emerging from the trees for the exposed push to the top. The last mile or so may exhaust you; stop and savor the rugged beauty and your accomplishment.

Take the South Fork Trail to Dollar Lake and on to the peak. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Fox Mountain. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Fox Mountain

Mountain Trail
 12.1-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 2,998 feet

Prepare for a long, rolling hike through some of the nicest scenery in the Tujunga area. The trail rises through chaparral scrub and weaves through a canyon that surprises with ferns and a small, seasonal creek. It rolls along the flanks of mountains until you come to a flat saddle. The summit is to the right, about 500 feet up a short vertical stretch. Look for large yucca that bloom until late spring.

Start at Big Tujunga Canyon Road near Vogel Flats in Tujunga. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. MT WILSON, CA - JULY 13, 2019: Visitors enjoy the view at dusk as they wait for darkness to glimpse a peak at the solar system through the 100-inch telescope at the Mt. Wilson Observatory on July 13, 2019 in Mt. Wilson, California.(Gina Ferazzi/Los AngelesTimes) Badass.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Wilson

Sierra Madre Mountain Trail
 14.5-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 5,640 feet

You could drive to the historic observatory above Sierra Madre, but there’s no glory in that. Keep this high point on your list for the workout, the challenge and the history. Start on the Mt. Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre, where you will hear water trickling through the canyon in spring and continue along a rocky stretch to the cool and shady Old Orchard Camp; take a break at the old-timey former resort. Switchback up to the Mt. Wilson Trail and on to the top where you’ll find a picnic area, generous views of Pasadena and beyond and, if you’re lucky, the ocean. Explore the large complex on top — just remember you have to walk back down.

Park on the street and start at Mt. Wilson Trail Park in Sierra Madre. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Badden Powell. Badass

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Mt. Baden-Powell

Southeast Antelope Valley Mountain Trail
 8.3-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 2,800 feet

The most surprising thing atop this Angeles National Forest peak is the sturdy monument to Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts. The 9,406-foot high point stands a little beyond the marker. The shortest route to the summit follows part of the Pacific Crest Trail and packs in 40 switchbacks and wide-angle views — a good place for high-elevation conditioning. There are longer ways to reach the summit (from Islip or Dawson saddles), but road and trail closures from the Bobcat fire might keep them offline for at least another year. In the meantime, enjoy the short way.

Park and start at Vincent Gap off Angeles Crest Highway (California 2). Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Ontario Peak. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Ontario Peak

Mountain Trail
 12.1-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 3,884 feet

The route starts at Icehouse Canyon, the busy gateway to a number of peaks in the Mt. Baldy area. Ontario sometimes is overlooked, which is a good thing if you are craving uncrowded time. The hike starts with 3½ miles of switchbacks up to Icehouse Saddle, where you have a choice of routes. The sign to Ontario is well marked and will lead to a camp and meadows of downed trees that in good years have a nice show of wildflowers. A short, steep pitch takes you to the small summit, which features a bottle opener mounted on a tree (just in case you need one).

Park at the Icehouse Canyon lot and start up the trail. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Cucamonga Peak. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Cucamonga Peak

Mountain Trail
 12.0-mile out-and-back
 Strenuous
 4,300 feet

The trail to the top follows the same Icehouse Saddle route and turns at the well-signed intersection. The rocky trail weaves along canyons before leading uphill in tight switchbacks. As you climb, pines and Bighorn Mountain come into view. It’s easy to miss the short side trail that leads to the 8,858-foot summit; miss it and you’ll wind up at Etiwanda Peak in a few miles. The top has plenty of room to spread out amid manzanita and soft sand. Permits are required.

Park at the Icehouse Canyon lot and start up the trail. Directions to trailhead.

50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Timber Mountain. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

The Three Ts

Mountain Trail
 12.5-mile point-to-point
 Strenuous
 4,200 feet

The Three Ts in the Mt. Baldy area — Thunder, Telegraph and Timber — is a point-to-point hike that will take you up and down all day starting at the base of Mt. Baldy. You’ll hit Thunder Mountain first, an exposed ski run with a lift at the top. Next comes Telegraph, which offers nice views of the surrounding San Gabriels. The best is saved for last: Timber, a sweet, quiet spot off the main trail to Icehouse Saddle. Take a well-earned break before heading down the canyon. Go with a friend and drop a car at the end point (Icehouse Canyon). You can do this hike in reverse order too.

Park at Manker Flat and start up the Mt. Baldy Trail. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021. Skyline Trail San Jacinto, Cactus to Clouds. Badass.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Skyline Trail

Mountain Trail
 19.8-mile point-to-point
 Strenuous
 10,459 feet

This is the most extreme hike in Southern California, sometimes called Cactus to Clouds or Palms to Pines. Complete this hike and you have bragging rights for life. The route from the desert floor in Palm Springs to the top of Mt. San Jacinto climbs more than 10,000 feet. The first part winds steeply up to Long Valley (7,900 feet) in 11 miles as the desert diminishes at every turn. No one would blame you if you stopped here and took the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway down. Those who press on add an additional five miles and 2,400 feet of gain to San Jacinto’s summit. You still have to walk back to the tram for a ride to the bottom — and figure out how to shuttle to your car.

Park on the street; trail starts behind the Palm Springs Art Museum. Directions to trailhead.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MARCH 8, 2021-Hikers walk a trail on the Park to Playa Trail in Culver City. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

Park to Playa Trail

View Park-Windsor Hills Urban Trail
 13.0-mile point-to-point
 Moderate
 Less than 1,000 feet

Urban trails help us navigate Los Angeles in new ways. Put the Park to Playa Trail on your to-do list. Parts of the 13-mile route have been open for years, but it wasn’t until November that it was completed. Good views of L.A. are guaranteed on the dirt-and-paved route from Baldwin Hills to Playa del Rey. Enjoy side trips in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (the MLK Memorial has great views of L.A.), Stoneview Nature Center, the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and the Ballona Creek Bike Path that will keep you going in the right direction. Set up a car shuttle, call a ride-share or use public transit to return to the start.

Park or take transit to the start at the Stocker Corridor Trail in the Baldwin Hills area. Directions in trailhead.

VENTURA, CA - FEBRUARY 10: The treelined ridge marks the northern boundary of Harmon Canyon Preserve with the Topa Topa Mountains and Ojai in the background. The Ventura Land Trust recently opened the 2,200 acres with about 10 miles of trails and scenic coastal and mountain views. Photographed on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Ventura, CA. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Harmon Canyon Preserve

 10.0-mile trail network
 Moderate

Ventura welcomed its first nature preserve with a trail network that takes you to groves of native oak trees, along streams and up to high points for vistas of the surrounding mountains and the Channel Islands. Being here feels as if you’re taking a trip through Old California. You can piece together routes on the 10 miles of trails in the preserve; even a short 2½-mile trek takes you uphill to savor views of the coast.

Park at the trailhead off McVittie Place in Ventura. Directions to trailhead.

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DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA - February 24: A drone view of the Long Canyon hiking trail in Desert Hot Springs, which connects to the Yucca Valley Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Long Canyon Trail

Desert Trail
 12.0-mile trail network
 Moderate

Desert lovers take note: A new route that connects Desert Hot Springs and Joshua Tree National Park is set to open in fall. It’s part of a trail network created by the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy and Friends of the Desert Mountains (which also created the next two trails). Parts of the Long Canyon route are already in use; this trail connects the dots for 12 miles with signs to keep hikers on track. “You get great vistas of the Coachella Valley,” executive director Jim R. Karpiak said. “It’s a beautiful landscape, a mix of pure desert and woodlands in the higher desert.”

You may need to set up a car shuttle to complete the point-to-point trek. Check with the conservancy at cvmc.ca.gov to find out when this trail comes online. Directions to trailhead.

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Indio, CA - February 24: A drone view of the Shadow Lake Estates, visible from parts of Indio Hills Badlands Trails on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 in Indio, CA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Indio Hills Badlands Trail

Desert Trail
 5.2-mile loop
 Moderate
 770 feet

Seashells and beach sand in the desert? You’ll find both on the recently opened trail in Indio, remnants of ancient Lake Cahuilla that once covered the area. The AllTrails app describes the loop’s landscape as “twisted and tortured rocks that have been uplifted and moved over millions of years.” Creosote bushes and tilted sedimentary slabs, including a skull-like rock formation, keep things interesting.

Park and start at Golf Center Parkway in Indio. Directions to trailhead.

Desert Hot Springs, CA - February 23: A view of the hiking trails at Kim Nicol Trail on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 in Desert Hot Springs, CA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Kim Nicol Trail

Desert Trail
 5.6-mile loop
 Moderate
 948 feet

Prepare to get sand in your boots on this all-desert loop that opened in 2018. Dunes and sedimentary formations provide clues to how erosion and uplift formed the rugged landscape that unfolds before you near Desert Hot Springs. A high point on the trail offers 360-degree views of the valley and San Jacinto and San Gorgonio peaks. Look for endangered Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizards during a spring visit. Just don’t go on a 115-degree day.

Park and start at 20th Avenue and Corkill Road in unincorporated Desert Edge, east of Desert Hot Springs. Directions to trailhead.

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Wisdom Tree hike

(Johanna Segura)

Wisdom Tree

Hollywood Hills Urban Trail
 3.0-mile loop
 Moderate
 Less than 1,000 feet

The up-and-coming landmark is a 15-minute walk from the Hollywood sign and goes by various names: the Wisdom Tree, Wishing Tree, Giving Tree, Magic Tree, you get the idea. Everyone seems to have a name for the lone, scraggly pine tree that’s being loved to death near Cahuenga Peak in Griffith Park. Sometimes it’s decorated with a few mementos, sometimes it’s honored with a box (containers change from time to time) at its feet that holds notes and journals from people who have something to tell the tree. Although the route to the Hollywood sign remains open, the narrow trail to the tree is closed because of COVID-19. Don’t worry; it’ll be back, along with Angelenos and their post-pandemic hopes and wishes.

When the trail reopens, try the 3-mile round-trip route, less than 1,000 feet of gain, that starts at paved Wonder View Drive near Lake Hollywood Reservoir. Directions to trailhead.

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50 hikes for the Hiking Issue 2021.

(Mary Forgione/Los Angeles Times)

Brown Mountain

Altadena Mountain Trail
 7.3-mile loop
 Moderate
 1,318 feet

It’s unusual that a SoCal mountain has a link to abolitionist John Brown. Owen Brown, who fought alongside his abolitionist father at the failed 1859 anti-slavery rebellion in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., joined his brother, Jason, to live in hilly Altadena Meadows. “After building a cabin in El Prieto Canyon, the Brown brothers began to blaze a trail to the summit of Brown Mountain, named for their father,” said an earlier L.A. Times story. Walk a lovely loop — up the wooded canyon and out to the ridge — to see where the Browns lived and why those Easterners fell in love with the West. You may find Owen Brown’s replica grave marker on a side trail from El Prieto Road in Altadena.

Start at Ventura Street and North Windsor Avenue near the JPL entrance. Directions to trailhead.

AGUA DULCE, CA - FEBRUARY 19: The rock formations at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area in Agua Dulce was formed 25 million years ago. Vasquez Rocks are named for the outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez who used the rocky hills as his hideout in the 1800s. He was later captured and executed for his crimes. The photogenic rocks have served as backdrops for many television shows and movies. Photographed on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 in Agua Dulce, CA. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Vasquez Rocks

Agua Dulce Desert Trail
 3.4-mile loop
 Moderate
 325 feet

Where would you hide if you were chased by the law? Tiburcio Vásquez, a bona fide baddie who roamed the state in the mid-1800s, once eluded the law by hiding out in this wonderland of 25-million-year-old sedimentary slabs and rocks in modern-day Agua Dulce. He was charming, well dressed, educated and one of the bandits who inspired the fictional Zorro. Hidden gems to look for: rock art created by the Tataviam people who once called the area home. First-timers may find the rocks eerily familiar, with good reason: They’ve been used as the backdrop for countless Hollywood movies and TV shows.

Directions to trailhead.

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In this Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 photo, two men climb a hill toward the former Nike Missile Control Site LA-96, which was operational for a period of time during the Cold War, at San Vicente Mountain Park on the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles. The Cold War years, from the 1950s through the 1980s were a time when people often felt confident to let their children play outside unsupervised while simultaneously fearing they might perish with them in a nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union. With the collapse of the Soviet Union those fears seemed to end. With angry exchanges between North Korea and the U.S. in the news, they are back. People once again are fretting how they can stay safe. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

(Damian Dovarganes/AP)

Mt. San Vicente

Brentwood
 7.4-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 730 feet

Come face to face with Cold War-era fear at a Nike missile site in the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s one of 16 places in Southern California that housed anti-aircraft missile launch sites. The site has been preserved and turned into San Vicente Mountain Park, which means you can see the missile structures up close. Signs help explain the era and the hardware. It’s a drive-up park, but better to go on foot and enjoy time on the trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. You’ll get good views from atop the 1,960-foot peak.

Park and start at Westridge and West Mandeville fire roads. Directions to trailhead.

Danielson Monument in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Danielson Monument

 5.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 800 to 1,000 feet

Peace out, man. The burial site of rancher Richard E. Danielson Jr. in Pt. Mugu State Park is framed by a large metal arch proclaiming “Peace, Love, Joy.” What better words to inspire? The memorial stands in a quiet place near the site of his old cabin. It’s about a mile or so beyond a seasonal waterfall below Boney Ridge. Danielson, who died in 1988, donated more than 5,500 acres to what eventually became the state park.

Start at the trail from Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Point Mugu State Park, Newbury Park. Directions to trailhead.

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HELLHOLE CANYON Length: 5.5-mile out and back Elevation gain: 950 feet Trailhead: Montezuma Valley Rd, 1-mile south of Palm Canyon Dr Parking: Dirt lot, free What's in a name? A question that is asked by all those who visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's Hellhole Canyon, which is actually home to a heavenly oasis (and a helluva hike). Far less trafficked than the nearby famous Borrego Palm Canyon, Hellhole offers a great workout amongst barrel cacti and ocotillo before reaching the welcoming palms and sycamores of not one, but two shaded desert oases. Climb the boulders, get out the binoculars and scan the canyon cliffs for the park's elusive mascot, the peninsular bighorn sheep. Hiking near sunset rewards you with the classic dusk desert palette and increases your sheep-sighting chances. Continue up the creek via some rock scrambling to reach Maidenhair Falls, a pleasant plus to your Anza adventure. What are you waiting for? BorreGO for it!

(Matt Pawlik)

Hellhole Canyon

Desert Trail
 5.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 950 feet

What’s in a name? A likely question asked by all who visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s Hellhole Canyon. Despite the name, it’s home to a heavenly oasis (and a helluva hike). Far less trafficked than nearby Borrego Palm Canyon, Hellhole offers a great workout among barrel cactuses and ocotillo before reaching the welcoming palms and sycamores of not one but two shaded desert oases. Climb the boulders, get out the binoculars and scan the cliffs for the park’s elusive mascot, the peninsular bighorn sheep. Continue up the creek by way of rock scrambling to reach Maidenhair Falls, a pleasant plus to your Anza adventure.

Park in the dirt lot (free) at Montezuma Valley Road, one mile south of Palm Canyon Drive. Directions to trailhead.

THE SLOT Length: 2.25-mile loop Elevation gain: 300 feet Trailhead: 2 miles north of CA-78 via Buttes Pass Rd Parking: Dirt lot, $10 Why have a little, when you can have a slot? No list of desert classics is complete without a trip through a slot canyon. Simply named The Slot, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's narrow siltstone canyon is the epitomic experience to squeeze, duck and maneuver through the geological ravine, which houses creosote bush and cholla cactus. Negotiating around the 40-foot rock walls is half the fun (or claustrophobic for some) and is especially awesome when the trench-traversing trail winds under a natural bridge formed by a sedimentary slab. Created by years of flash floods, the tapered slot itself lasts under a mile, but you can steeply ascend to get views of the epic chasm, nearby West Butte Mountain, and the farther out Laguna Mountains framing the desert backdrop. Slot damn!

(Matt Pawlik)

The Slot

Desert Trail
 2.25-mile loop
 Moderate
 300 feet

No list of desert classics is complete without a trip through a slot canyon. Simply named the Slot, the narrow silt-stone canyon in Anza-Borrego is the place to squeeze, duck and maneuver through the geological ravine, which houses creosote bush and cholla cactus. Negotiating around the 40-foot rock walls is half the fun (or claustrophobic for some) and is especially awesome when the trench-traversing trail winds under a natural bridge formed by a sedimentary slab. The tapered slot itself is less than a mile, but you can steeply ascend to get views of the epic chasm, nearby West Butte Mountain and, farther out, the Laguna Mountains framing the desert backdrop. One caveat: Don’t go in heavy rains. $10 to park in dirt lot.

Start at the trail two miles north of California 78 near Buttes Pass Road. Directions to trailhead.

**BADWATER BASIN SALT FLATS Length: 2-mile out and back Elevation gain: Negligible (but you can't get any lower!) Trailhead: 15 miles south of Furnace Creek, off of Badwater Rd Parking: Paved lot (National Park entrance fee required) Want to go down in history? Everybody can at Badwater Basin Salt Flats in Death Valley National Park - here's the lowdown. Sitting at 282 feet below sea level, the mostly sodium chloride-covered flats cover nearly 200 square miles and earned their name when a mule refused to drink from the pool next to the interpretive boardwalk. The high salinity environment actually houses an endemic snail (found only here!) and pickleweed, and is the product of the evaporation of an ancient lake. Walk out over the hexagonal crusts towards the prominent apex of Telescope Peak (11,049 feet), which is particularly gorgeous when draped in a blue blanket at sunset. Also, check out the Sea Level sign marker on the cliffs to the east for another reminder that you are currently at the lowest point in North America. It's all uphill from here - in fact, check out Dante's View, a breathtaking lookout that offers a different perspective on the basin.

(Matt Pawlik)

Badwater Basin Salt Flats

Desert Trail
 2.0-mile out-and-back
 Easy

Want to go down in history? Everybody can at Badwater Basin Salt Flats in Death Valley National Park. At 282 feet below sea level, the mostly sodium chloride-covered flats cover nearly 200 square miles. The high-salinity habitat, home to an endemic snail and pickleweed, formed when water evaporated from an ancient lake. Walk over the crust toward prominent Telescope Peak (11,049 feet), which is particularly gorgeous at sunset. Check out the sea level marker on the cliffs to the east for another reminder that you are at the lowest point in North America. It’s all uphill from here. One last thing: Check out Dante’s View, a breathtaking lookout that offers a different perspective of the basin.

Park in paved lot and start on trail 17 miles south of Furnace Creek off Badwater Road. Directions to trailhead.

MESQUITE FLATS Length: 3-mile DIY dune exploration (varies) Elevation gain: 200 feet (varies) Trailhead: 2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells, off the CA-190 Parking: Paved lot (National Park entrance fee required) Sometimes you gotta go your own way. Explore Death Valley National Park's Mesquite Flats via a dune-it-yourself journey through arguably the most accessible, and beautiful, sand dunes in California. Named after the hardy trees that dot the smooth, wavy region, the dunes were formed by alluvial fans via wind and rain erosion. With the complementing surrounding mountains, it's easy to get otherworldly vibes, which is probably what inspired George Lucas to use the setting for the planet of Tatooine in Star Wars. The dunes are most comfortably explored via the ridges, the tallest of which rises over 100 feet and offers a strenuous ascent up the thick sand (and a dramatic sand-boarding descent for the thrill-seekers). The desert vistas here are particularly gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, but also provide for a truly magical star-gazing outing. Plan for Mesquite for some sand on your feet!

(Matt Pawlik)

Mesquite Flats

Desert Trail
 3.0-mile out-and-back
 Easy
 200 feet

Sometimes you gotta go your own way. Explore Death Valley’s Mesquite Flats with a dune-it-yourself journey through some of the most accessible and beautiful sand dunes in California. It’s easy to get otherworldly vibes, which is probably what inspired director George Lucas to use the setting for Tatooine in the “Star Wars” movies. The dunes are most comfortably explored from the ridges, the tallest of which rises more than 100 feet and offers a strenuous ascent up the sand (and a dramatic sand-boarding descent for thrill seekers). The desert vistas here are gorgeous at sunrise and sunset and provide a magical star-gazing opp.

Start two miles east of Stovepipe Wells on California 190. Directions to trailhead.

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HIDDEN VALLEY / BARKER DAM Length: 1-mile loop & 1.25-mile loop Elevation gain: 100 feet & 50 feet Trailheads: 5 miles into the park, Park Blvd at intersections of Hidden Valley Picnic Area and Barker Dam Rd. Parking: Paved lots (National Park entrance fee required) If you only have time to do one hike during your trip to Joshua Tree National park, do two! The Hidden Valley and Barker Dam trails are located across the main road (Park Blvd) from each other and provide the perfect highlight reel of the park's geological, botanical and historical offerings. Start at Hidden Valley, a loop enclosed by massive other-worldly rock formations that were originally blasted by desert legend William Keys to gain easy access for cattle. Climb them (what else?) to get incredible views of the naturally-encased area and its diverse floral residents, including juniper, pinyon, yucca and, of course, Joshua Trees. Continue your greatest hits tour at Barker Dam Nature Trail, named after the reservoir raised by Keys himself over 60 years ago that is now a valuable water source for local fauna - look for desert kit fox there at sunset. The serene path also offers ancient petroglyph rock art and one of the most picturesque Joshua tree fields in the park. Two hikes are always better than one!

(Matt Pawlik)

Hidden Valley/Barker Dam

Desert Trail
 1.5-mile loop
 Easy
 100 feet or less

If you have time to do only one hike during your trip to sprawling high-desert Joshua Tree National Park, do two. The Hidden Valley and Barker Dam trails are across the main road (Park Boulevard) from each other and provide the perfect highlight reel of the park’s geological, botanical and historical gems. Start at Hidden Valley, a loop enclosed by massive rock formations that were blasted by desert legend William Keys to gain easy access for cattle. Climb the rocks for incredible views of the circle of boulders and the area’s diverse plant life, including juniper, pinyon, yucca and, of course, Joshua trees. Continue your greatest hits tour at Barker Dam Nature Trail, where you can look for desert kit fox at sunset. The serene path also offers ancient petroglyph rock art and one of the most picturesque fields of Joshua tree in the park.

Park in a paved lot. Directions to trailhead.

**49 PALMS OASIS Length: 3-mile out and back Elevation gain: 650 feet Trailhead: 1.75 miles south of CA-62, off Fortynine Palms Canyon Road Parking: Paved lot, free (no National Park fee here) Are you an arbor admirer? Log lover? Grove groupie? Well, get out your palm palms and cheer for the copse of fan varieties at 49 Palm Oasis in the northeast corner of Joshua Tree National Park. On this roller-coaster out and back, a steep shadeless climb nets you expansive brutalist desert views to the north and canyon vistas of the oasis nestled amongst a mountainous backdrop. Coyotes, bighorn sheep and resident birds, like Gambel's quail and orange-and-black hooded orioles, rely on the space for water and a cooldown under the thicket of fan palms. You may even spot the rare desert tortoise on the trail - watch out on your drive in too, as they've been known to bask on the paved road. Enjoy some bouldering or a peaceful picnic as you try and count all 49 adaptable floral specimens. What a TREEt!

(Matt Pawlik)

49 Palms Oasis

Desert Trail
 3.0-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 650 feet

Are you tree lover, log lover, grove groupie? The copse of fan varieties at the 49 Palm Oasis in the northeast corner of Joshua Tree National Park is the place to go. On this roller coaster out and back, a steep, shadeless climb nets you rugged desert views to the north and vistas of the oasis. Coyotes, bighorn sheep and resident birds, such as Gambel’s quail and orange-and-black hooded orioles, rely on the space for water and a cooldown under the thicket of fan palms. You might even spot the rare desert tortoise on the trail; watch out on your drive in so you don’t hit one on the paved road. Enjoy bouldering or a peaceful picnic as you try and count all 49 floral specimens.

Free parking in paved lot; start 1¾ miles south of California 62 off Fortynine Palms Canyon Road. Directions to trailhead.

RATTLESNAKE CANYON Length: 3-mile improvisational rock scramble Elevation gain: 400 feet Trailhead: Rattlesnake Canyon Picnic Area, just over a mile east of Indian Cove Campground Parking: Small dirt lot (National Park entrance fee required) The sprawling high desert National Park affectionately known as JTree is known for its technical boulder problems and endless climbing routes, but you don't have to be the next Alex Honnold to get in on the geological fun. Enter Rattlesnake Canyon - a DIY rock scrambling adventure that's devoid of such niceties as maintained paths or directional signs (and most likely, fellow hikers). While the "trail" begins as a sandy wash amongst cottonwood trees and a monzonite-walled ravine, it soon dead-ends and beckons you to explore the granite playground ascending into the canyon. As you scramble and scale the towering outcroppings, look for stagnant pools and slot canyons, and listen for croaks (California Tree Frogs), chirps (Verdins) and, of course, rattles (the hike's namesake serpents). The desert vistas are also phenomenal and are best enjoyed when the path plateaus, which simultaneously offers a great turning around point or, for those who are still amped, a perfect picnic spot. Either way, rock on!

(Matt Pawlik)

Rattlesnake Canyon

Desert Trail
 3.0-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 400 feet

The park (affectionately dubbed JTree) is known for its endless climbing routes, but you don’t have to be Alex Honnold to get in on the fun. Enter Rattlesnake Canyon, a do-it-yourself rock scrambling adventure that lacks maintained paths or directional signs (and most likely, fellow hikers). The “trail” down a sandy wash among cottonwood trees and a monzonite-walled ravine soon dead ends. Keep going to explore the granite playground ascending into the canyon. As you scramble on the towering rocks, look for water pools and slot canyons and listen for croaks (California tree frogs), chirps (verdins) and, of course, rattles (the hike’s namesake serpents). The desert vistas are phenomenal, best enjoyed where the path plateaus.

Start at the Rattlesnake Canyon Picnic Area in Joshua Tree National Park, a little more than a mile east of Indian Cove Campground. Directions to trailhead.

WALL STREET MILL Length: 2.75-mile out and back Elevation gain: 100 feet Trailhead: Queen Valley Rd, just past Barker Dam off Park Blvd Parking: Paved lot (National Park entrance fee required) You won't find investment firms or hedge funds at Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree National Park, but you will find a stock of preserved ruins and gold history via an unoccupied trail through a peaceful landscape. The dirt path is lined with quintessential Joshua Trees, but also features dense patches of desert dandelions, brittlebush and purple mat flowers. Historical landmarks include rusted cars, a windmill and the pink-walled remains of a ranch on your way to the mill - this is also where desert pioneer Bill Keys shot and killed a neighbor in one of the last gunfights of the Old West. At the well-preserved stamp mill, scrambled up a boulder to get a better perspective of the not-so-ancient gold-extracting site nestled among pinon pines and granite outcroppings. Talk about rich history!

(Matt Pawlik)

Wall Street Mill

Desert Trail
 2.5-mile out-and-back
 Easy
 100 feet

You won’t find investment firms or hedge funds at Wall Street Mill in Joshua Tree, but you will find preserved ruins and mining history on an unoccupied trail through a peaceful landscape. The dirt path is lined with Joshua trees and, in spring, dense patches of desert dandelions, brittlebush and purple mat flowers. You can see a lot of historical junk — rusted cars, a windmill and the pink-walled remains of a ranch — on your way to the mill. This also is where desert pioneer William Keys shot and killed a neighbor in one of the last gunfights of the Old West. At the well-preserved stamp mill, scramble up a boulder to get a better perspective of the not-so-ancient gold-extracting site nestled among piñon pines and granite outcroppings. Talk about rich history!

Park at paved lot, start at Queen Valley Road just past Barker Dam. Directions to trailhead.

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WILLOW HOLE / WONDERLAND OF ROCKS Length: 7-mile out and back Elevation gain: 250 feet (+any rock scrambling) Trailhead: Boy Scout Trail, just after Quail Springs Picnic Area off Park Blvd Parking: Paved lot (National Park entrance fee required) A journey into Joshua Tree National Park always feels like a trip down the rabbit hole, but take a hike to Willow Hole on the Boy Scout trail to discover a Wonderland that truly channels your inner Alice. The hike begins gently through a dense field of the namesake faux-arbors amongst vibrant succulents, such as the deep red blooms of claretcup cactus, before entering the geological fantasyland. Trudge through the sandy wash and around the mad maze of monzogranite boulders that form the aptly-named Wonderland of Rocks. Look for basking chuckwalla lizards on the exposed slabs and climb up to get a view of the surrounding region and hulking Mount San Gorgonio to the west. At the turning-back point, you reach a hidden watering hole amongst dense green trees - you don't have to use your imagination to know these are willows. Where there's a willow, there's a way!

(Matt Pawlik)

Willow Hole/Wonderland of Rocks

Desert Trail
 7.0-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 250 feet (plus rock scrambling)

A journey into Joshua Tree always feels like a trip down the rabbit hole, but take a hike to Willow Hole on the Boy Scout Trail to discover a wonderland that channels your inner Alice. The hike begins gently in a dense field among vibrant succulents before entering the geological fantasyland. Trudge through the sandy wash and around the mad maze of monzogranite boulders that form the aptly named Wonderland of Rocks. Look for chuckwalla lizards on the exposed slabs and climb up to get a view of the surrounding region and Mt. San Gorgonio to the west. At the turn-around point, you reach a hidden watering hole amid dense green trees. Yep, these are willow trees.

Start on the Boy Scout Trail near Quail Springs Picnic Area. Directions to trailhead.

AMBOY CRATER Length: 3.5-mile out and back Elevation gain: 300 feet Trailhead: Crater Road & Route 66, Mojave Trails National Monument Parking: Paved lot, free Panoramic desert vistas, wildflower fields, and an ancient cinder cone volcano - what's not to lava about Amboy Crater in the Mojave Trails National Monument? Rising nearly 300 feet above the basalt lava plains surrounding it, the extinct volcano last erupted 10,000 years ago and can now be explored via a hike that traverses a lava field where jagged igneous rock contrasts with seasonal local blooms, such as desert sand verbena, sunflowers and fivespot. After a steep ascent to the rim via the western slope of the geological wonder, you are rewarded with expansive views of the Mojave preserve to the north as well as the Bullion and Bristol Mountain ranges to the west and east respectively. Don't leave without taking time to explore the symmetrical 1500-foot diameter caldera of the National Natural Landmark. Everything's greater with a crater!

(Matt Pawlik)

Amboy Crater

Desert Trail
 3.5-mile out-and-back
 Moderate
 300 feet

Panoramic desert vistas, wildflower fields and an ancient cinder cone volcano: What’s not to love about Amboy Crater in Mojave Trails National Monument? The extinct volcano, rising nearly 300 feet above the basalt lava plains surrounding it, last erupted 10,000 years ago. Today the hike traverses a lava field where jagged igneous rock contrasts with seasonal blooms such as desert sand verbena, sunflowers and fivespot. After a steep ascent to the rim by way of the western slope, you’re rewarded with expansive views of the Mojave preserve to the north as well as the Bullion and Bristol mountain ranges to the west and east, respectively. Don’t leave without exploring the 1,500-foot-diameter caldera of the national natural landmark.

Start at the parking lot (free) at Crater Road and Route 66 in Mojave Trails National Monument. Directions to trailhead.

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