“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” – Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” I celebrated my 45th birthday with a hike. Even as I enjoyed the views from the top and along the way, the sounds of trickling streams and the peace and quiet, I couldn’t help feeling…
Buying a tent may seem simple at first glance. But, with so many options on the market, how do you choose one that’s not too big, not too expensive, but “just right?” That’s why I wrote this guide. Inside, you’ll learn everything you need to know about picking a tent. We’ll go over what factors…
There are plenty of locations to hike near Los Angeles. Many people enjoy getting lost in nature and observing the world around them while they’re hiking. But what if you could also go for a treasure hunt? Yes, that is right. There is more than just nature lurking out there waiting to be discovered. All…
Read more Treasure Hunting in LA: Combining Hiking and Geocaching
Almost everyone loves to travel as it introduces us to new experiences and create long-lasting memories. An increasingly popular trend in traveling is backpacking: traveling with simply a bag and its contents. Backpacking is usually dependent on public transportation, hitchhiking, and shelter is usually found at more public locations rather than homes for rent. Backpacking…
When you go camping, you end up compiling a lifetime’s worth of memories, get closer to nature, and also end up doing a lot of self-reflection. However, sometimes these experiences can be dampened by terribly cold weather conditions, and you end up spending a lot of your time trying to figure out how you are…
Read more Camping Tricks: 8 Tips for Fighting the Cold While You Sleep
There are a ton of different reasons why we all love to spend our spare time out on the trail. For many, it’s about getting away from it all; connecting with nature and slowing life down. For others it’s for the love of the challenge or for the sense of accomplishment that comes with bagging…
Your hiking adventures don’t have to come to an end simply because winter has arrived. In fact, winter is a great time to get out and see the world in a whole new way. While snow and colder temperatures undeniably present new challenges, they shouldn’t prevent you from getting out and doing what you love.…
Read more Peak Comfort (How to keep warm on a cold hike): Guest post by Brenda Kimble
Southeast of Yosemite National Park lies the tiny town of Mammoth Lakes, population 8,000. Many Californians are familiar with Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, California’s snow sports playground. You most likely know friends who have visited for its famed natural beauty. Among the pristine lakes and snow capped mountain views, Mammoth Lakes is the perfect setting…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Natural Hot Springs of Mammoth Lakes (Guest post by Keilah Keiser)
Cover photo credit: Sua Vd Westhuizen The tent icon that often appears on park maps and roadside signs near natural areas needs no introduction: this is where you camp. It’s no accident that the words “tent” and “camping” go together – no questions asked. Contemporary outdoor enthusiasts, however, have access to an unprecedented amount of…
Location: Mt. Baldy Visitor Center. From I-210, take Mountain Avenue north (it becomes Shinn Road on the way) until it ends at a T-junction with Mt. Baldy Road. Take a right and go 5 miles to Mt. Baldy Village. Park next to the visitor’s center. A National Forest Service adventure pass ($5 for a day…
Location: South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. From I-10, take the exit for highway 111 (which happens to be exit #111) and head southeast for 9.4 miles to downtown Palm Springs. Continue onto North Palm Canyon Drive for 3 miles and bear right onto South Palm Canyon Drive. In 1.8 miles, turn left onto Bogert…
Location: Joshua Tree National Park. The turnoff for the Split Rock Picnic Area and the Split Rock Loop Trail is on Park Blvd., 8 miles east of the junction at Keys View and 2.2 miles west of the junction with Pinto Basin Road. Head north on the dirt road (all vehicles OK) for half a…
Read more Split Rock and Face Rock (Joshua Tree National Park)
Location: Highway 39 in the San Gabriel Mountains, 13 miles north of the 210 Freeway and 1.5 miles north of the East Fork turnoff. The signed West Fork parking area is on the north side of a small bridge. A National Forest Service adventure pass ($5 per day or $30 per year) is required. Click…
Location: Mojave desert between Barstow and Baker. From Interstate 15, take exit 221 for Afton Road (38 miles northeast of Barstow, 24 miles southwest of Baker and 74 miles southwest of the state line). Follow Afton Road 3.5 miles to the campground. The road is dirt and rough in some spots but should be navigable…
Location: Los Padres National Forest, northern Ventura County. The trail head is on Highway 33, one mile south of Lockwood Valley Road and 47.5 miles north of Highway 101. Look for a dirt lot on the left (if you are coming from the south) or right (north) side of the road by mile marker 47.5,…
Read more Deal Trail: Highway 33 to wilderness boundary (Los Padres National Forest)
Location: Shoemaker Canyon Road, Angeles National Forest. From the 210 Freeway in Azusa, take Highway 39 north for a total of 11.7 miles. Turn right onto East Fork Road and go 3.3 miles to Shoemaker Canyon Road. Bear left and follow Shoemaker Canyon Road for 1.9 miles to its ending at a large dirt turnout…
Location: Mecca Hills Wilderness Area southeast of Palm Springs. From I-10 in Indio, take Highway 86 southeast for 10 miles to 62nd Ave. Bear left onto 62nd Ave. and head east for 2.2 miles to Johnson St. Turn right and go 2 miles to 66th Ave. Turn left and follow 66th Ave. for 4 miles…
Ramona Peak (Simon County Preserve) Location: Bassett Way, Ramona. From the intersection of highway 67 and 78 in downtown Ramona (19 miles east of Escondido and 22 miles west of Julian) head south on 10th St., which almost immediately becomes San Vicente Rd., for a total of 5.6 miles. Turn left onto Arena Drive and…
Greetings hikers! Nobody Hikes in L.A. is proud to announce our second annual food drive hike “Will Hike for Food” – and we will tie it in to the #OptOutside movement on Black Friday, November 24th, 2017! Skip the crowds at the malls and enjoy a hike in scenic Rice and East Canyons. Also we…
Location: Ramona. From the intersection of Highway 78 and Highway 67 in downtown Ramona (19 miles east of Escondido and 22 miles west of Julian) head south on 10th St., which becomes San Vicente Road. The preserve entrance will be on your right in 3 miles. Agency: San Diego County Parks & Recreation Distance: 2.5…
