23 Hikes and 4 Peaks
When I think about hiking in November, several things come to mind. This is a time of year when the seasons change hands, when the temperatures finally start to cool and the first rain of the season may occur. Nights may dip into the low 50’s and morning dew covers the grass in the morning. I love hiking during this time of the year, watching the leaves begin to turn golden, along with being able to hike during the day time without feeling overheated. This is when I begin to finish up mountain hikes, in anticipation of snowy and icy conditions, at places such as Icehouse Canyon and Mount Baden Powell.
For everything there is a season, especially hiking. With each changing season, I like to change up the places I to hike. Some places remain constant such as beach and coastal hikes since it is alway summer at the beach in Calfornia year-round usually around 65 degrees. In Orange County, and socal temperatures can flucuate wildly. It can be 65 on the coast, 85 inland, and 105 in the desert, while being 50 degrees on Mount Baldy. At night, it can be in the teens in a place like Big Bear, yet an hour or so away at the beach, could still be 65 degrees. So when I plan my hikes, there are a lot of factors I take into account, including occasional 100 mile an hour Santa Ana winds. Rain is rare, but when it rains it pours, ala pineapple express here. I use noaa.org and mountainforecast.org to check the weather first, and decide the best place to hike on a given day.
Some of the hikes that I would enjoy this November would include several high peaks above 8000 feet, but most of my hikes were close to home, at lower elevations where I live just above sea level. By the time November comes to a close, at this point my focus shifts to lower altitude peaks in the 5000 to 6000 foot range, before these too can get icy or snowy, at some point in late December and early January. Some peaks in this range of altitude include Cuyamaca Peak, Strawberry Peak, and Mount Wilson, the latter of which I have yet to climb. Every type of hike below 5000 feet is pretty much fare game in December and January, when trails are clear or brush, and snakes are less active. All good things for hikers.
One thing I have to take into account during this season is timing. As the number of daylight hours grows ever shorter, I must get creative or find ways to hike in the dark, in places conducive to night hiking. I reserve night hikes more for getting that early start the rest of the year, or making it back to the car, if no other choice. In November, the option of an afternoon sunset hike, dwindles which calls for a shift in where I decide to head to, usually somewhere that is busy at night, along with fairly well-lit.
Week 1
#1 So I started off my first week of hiking in November with a 6pm twilight hike near Dana Point Harbor, exploring Lantern Bay Park, taking advantage of it’s well lit paths, and stairs, which are great for a workout. This park is a perfect place to enjoy views down the coast from Dana Point, clear to San Clemente and San Diego. At light the mosaic wave mural on the stairs was illuminated. This hike is in front of the Marriot hotel, and as I was walking, out the corner of my eye, I noticed an owl. This was the coolest moment, stopping, listening to the owl in the big pine tree. It was the most unlikely place to enjoy a wilderness type experience such as listening to owls. I only see them occasionally in this area, but there are quite a few of them here in South Orange County. I got in my 3 miles and called it a night.
#2 The same week I headed over to Talega Trail in San Clemente for a 5 mile trek, which sit’s on the border of San Clemente, and the Cleveland National Forest. It includes a fun series of climbs, nice views, yet not too far from civilization, as you will most always have a view of a house if you look inland as you hike. The trail has clear views to interesting rock formations, Sitton Peak, and Saddleback Mountain in the distance.
#3 Next up, was another hike in Dana Point, this time through the harbor, and onto the headlands for one of the most epic sunsets I have enjoyed in some time, the face of dana headlands illuminated in a golden light so majestically. This hike was about 4 miles, and included parts of Lantern Bay Park.
#4 The following day I managed to make it to one of my favorite trails in Orange County, in Anaheim Hills. I hiked along Santiago Creek Trail on up to Barham Ridge, and on to the high point at the flag pole, for a 4 mile loop. From the ridge are awesome views toward neighboring Irvines Regional Park, and across the Saddleback mountains, clear to a location referred to as Mini-Moab.
Week 2
#5 I started the day off with a short 3/4 mile walk with my dog, who is still learning about trails and leash walking, near Dana Point. I followed this up with a 3 mile sunset walk on my favorite trail, near my house, which has nice views towards the wilderness of the Cleveland National Forest.
#6 I managed to end my day, on Harbor View Trail and Patriot Hill. This is an area of multiple meandering trails, most created by mountain bikers, which are un-named. This time of year, the lack of brush makes all of the trails here fair game. It was a 2.75 mile walk, short and sweet, with no more sunlight for a longer one, so it was take it or leave it.
#7 Wood Canyon had been calling my name for some time, and the fall colors were just about peaking here this time of the year, though as I would find, more subdued than prior years. The oak woodland here never really dissappoints, and I always feel like I am back amid fairyland. I hiked along the canyon, onto Coyote Run, up Mathis Canyon, and back down the West Ridge. With it’s peaceful stream and abundant wildlife, this canyon is a special place. The peace can easily be shattered in a moment by the many mountain bikers here. We had a close call with one, barrelling on down Rock-it, at which point my group consensus was to go up Mathis, which is wider. These mountain bikers could easily cause fatal injuries and they don’t even try to stop, which violates pedestrians first, or right of way, the number one rule of travel.
#8 I was a third of the way through the month, and knew with an impending storm system, the mountain roads might close. The already partially snow covered high peaks above 8000 feet, might become fully covered. There are many mountains in the Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel National Forests, I have yet to climb. With SR-2 having been closed over a year, I was elated to finally be able to drive past Vincent Gap. The choice was clear, that it was time to bag a new peak, along Angeles Crest. My first stop was Dawson Saddle, to climb Mount Lewis, which was super-steep and a bit treacherous with it’s pitch. I made the mile round trip climb in about an hour, if that speaks to how steep it is. But Mount Lewis was only a warm-up, since the true goal was Mount Williamson via the PCT, and possibly Pallett Mountain, just beyond Pleasant View Ridge, a destination in itself. The clouds were swirling, and winds whipping, as I made it to Pleasant View Ridge, accidentally missing the turn for Mount Williamson, which I bagged on the return. It was too windy to make it to Pallett, and also I was feeling that was ok. It was a beautiful day back in the San Gabriels, where I hiked a total of 5.7 miles.
#9 It was a rainy few days, but I managed to get in a short 3 mile paved hike along the Santiago Creek Trail.
Week 3
#10 The following day, I headed to the San Clemente beach trail, which despite puddles here and there was mostly passable post-rain. More was on the way, and I was hiking whenever I caught a break.
#11 The following morning, the trails had dried out a bit more, though most were still muddy. I headed to one of my favorite paved trails, which branches off to some unpaved ones, where I would proceed if the mud had solidified. It mostly had, and my pup started to get here trail legs, hiking 2 miles, on one of her longest hikes yet.
#12 In the evening I decided I was not done yet, and hiked through my coastal neighborhood, checking out the incoming storm clouds, making it home just before they burst for a 3 mile hike.
#13 I did not have much time at all, since I needed to be at work, but I managed a 1.5 mile walk to a favorite beach overlook.
#14 That evening, I was ready to add a few more miles, and walked 3 miles in Dana Point, where the clouds were putting on an awesome show post-rain.
#15 Sunset was my only opportunity to hike, and this time, I headed to San Clemente State Beach and Campground, where I peiced together some short trails, at the beach, for a 3 mile hike.
#16 My pup had her longest hike yet, at 2.7 miles high in the coastal hills.
#17 The rain would not stop, and finally I saw a rainbow. After work I felt it was time to head back to Irvine Regional, one of the few OC Parks with an open trail, post rain, if you call it that. The open trails are all paved or roads, but that is ok. I always feel like I am in Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre wood when there. My hike was 4.5 miles around the park, amid fall leaves, and puddles. I spotted many birds, an egret and even a few peacocks, unexpected residents of the park.
#18 I just had time for 2 miles, at sunset, but Santiago Creek trail, is where I got my nature therapy and hike in for the day. The scenery was so gorgeous, sun dogs, and all.
Week 4
#19 I decided Santiago Creek Trail fit the bill, and went for a 4.5 mile walk along the paved section by the recharge basin, which is planted with many native flowers, which bloom year-round.
#20 Snow was now covering the high peaks, such as Mount Baldy. I knew I was not quite ready to be mountaineering, and challenge myself in the snow. But I could easily admire it from afar on a nearby trail. So instead of hiking to Ontario Peak, as I originally planned, I headed to Sunset Peak, a long awaited peak for me. It had been on my list a long time, but the fires in the area postponed hiking here. I took the spine on up, and saw not a soul. I took the road back, through the charred forest, for a 7.5 mile adventure. There were so many extremes contrasting one another on this one, and I enjoyed it even more than I thought. Never let the trail reports of others dictate your own experience. This trail was far for “ugly,” as some painted it. It has the most amazing views all around, and the views snowy peaks made it all worthwhile.
#21 It was a 6 mile beach hike this time, on a gorgeous Thanksgiving morning.
#22 I managed to get in 3 miles at Santiago Oaks, hiking from Marbury Ranch, along Wilderness Trail, and back. The Santa Ana’s were blowing and it was warm on this morning.
Week 5
#23 I shut it down for the month of November with one more peak, which was much anticipated, Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. One reason I avoided it solo, was the prevalence of wildlife there. One woman was killed here, solo hiking to Cuyamaca Peak. There are several hotspots in California with more encounters, Whiting Ranch being another. This is an informative article about the research that transpired about the lions in Cuyamaca Rancho after the tragic incident in 1994. I went on a Sunday, when it is most crowded, during fall. We can’t let fear rule our lives. It is an absolutely epic and amazing state park, one I plan to visit again soon. The fall colors were at their peak, I saw wild turkeys, and heard talk of eagles nesting in the area. This would be my last mountain hike this month and it was the end of the month after all.
4 Peaks and 23 Hikes
I managed to climb four mountains in November, Mount Lewis, Mount Williamson, Sunset Peak, and Stonewall Peak, along with get in 23 different hikes. The is none too shabby, and I am hoping a sign of good things to come, in terms of healing and the ability to get out there doing things I love, such as hiking. All in all it was a good November, I am grateful, and I must give thanks!
Thanksgiving
The most important part of November is coming together with people we care about for Thanksgiving. I am always grateful to be welcomed to a Thanksgiving dinner. This year it was very joyful. I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one, however you celebrated it.
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.[a]
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
- Psalm 100: 1-5
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
Leave No Trace
Just be sure to come prepared and follow Leave No Trace principles to keep the wilderness pristine for future hikers.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2025 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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