James Anderson – California hiking

A long time ago when we lived in Southern California, Emily and I tried to hike as often as possible. She's far more organized about these things than me and has written about many of them on her website. Some of my favorites are linked below.

San Gabriels (Los Angeles)

• Mill Creek to Pacifico Mountain
  An easy PCT and fire road loop with westerly, northerly, and southerly views.

• Crystal Lake to South Mount Hawkins
  Valley and desert views and a secluded ridge.

• Dawson Saddle to Throop Peak and Mount Hawkins
  Two high peaks with very little serious climbing.

• Placerita Canyon to Wilson Saddle
  A genuine ridge walk, with lots of short-and-steep up and downs, and sweeping views on all sides across the north-west corner of the San Gabriels.

• Switzer's picnic area to Arroyo Seco trail
  Short, sweet, and quickly accessible from Pasadena.

• Burkhart trail: Devil's Punchbowl to Pleasant View ridge
  A mixture of desert and alpine terrain on the north side of the San Gabriels.

• Josephine Peak
  Steady fire road with sea views.

• The Hollywood sign
  A nice route up through Griffith Park to the summit of Mount Lee, aka where the sign lives.

• The Verdugos: Beaudry Motorway loop
  An easy introduction to the Verdugo micro-range, on looping service roads with two peaks and LA/Burbank views.

• Dawn Mine
  A smattering of history close to home.

For the complete list, see Emily's website.

Desert Hikes

• Anza Borrego Desert wind caves
  A desert ramble on the southern edge of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, culminating in fantastical sandstone wind caves.