Category: Getting Outside

Mount Baldy via the Backbone Trail – Summit #5

@serafinahikes

This would be Mount Baldy summit #5. It was a cool fall morning in the Cucamonga Wilderness in October as I began my hike to Mount Baldy from Manker Flats around 7:30 am. It was just below 50 degrees out and the weather was perfect. I had no planned eta on this one. However long it takes. However many breaks. If I needed to turn back I would. I was trying to be realistic, and not push too hard on this one. I began heading up Baldy Rd. towards the notch, since today I planned on summiting Mt Baldy via the Devil’s Backbone Trail. It had recently snowed here a week ago, and I had a feeling the snow had melted off along the trail just enough in the past few days, with the warmer drier conditions, to make the backbone trail safe and passable. I brought micro-spikes and a trekking pole for stability on small patches or snow or ice.

Hiking 12.5 miles to a waterfall, an Old Ranch House, over bridges and streams

@serafinahikes

I had hiked through Los Penasquitos Canyon once before, and was here for a second time. I was here a few years ago and this long, yet not so strenuous hike served as training for my solo thru hike backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail over 3 days.

Chino Hills in Spring

@serafinahikes

It was a beautiful spring morning in early March. I headed to Chino Hills State Park to enjoy an early spring hike amongst the freshly greening hills.

Volcanic Rocks and a Lava Dome in the Eastern Sierra

@serafinahikes

Fossil Falls is an interesting geologic formation, located off Hwy-395 on the way to Lone Pine. The black basalt rock formation was formed by an actual waterfall, from erosion fire and water of ancient lava flows, through erosion. 

Beeks Place via Skyline Drive

@serafinahikes

I hiked 12.5 miles up Skyline Drive to Beek's Place, from Corona, CA for the first time. It's an iconic homestead, centrally located amidst the Saddleback Mountains. It was the home of Joe Beek, a member of the California Senate. His homestead and property are several hundred acres. The remains of the homestead was recently renovated, and the property sold, with the name changed to Beacon's Pines.