Hiking to Stoddard Peak

I hiked to Stoddard Peak, located in the San Gabriel Mountains of the Cucamonga Wilderness. Several mountain peaks surround this one, such as Sunset Peak, Sugarloaf Peak, Potato Mountain, and of course Ontario Peak. There is another prominence called Turtle’s Beak, which I have heard of people hiking to. That one sounds like a mostly… Continue reading Hiking to Stoddard Peak

Hiking Black Mountain in San Diego

I recently visited the 2,352 acre Black Mountain Open Space Preserve, one of the gems of San Diego County. I decided I would hike the Black Mountain via Miner’s Ridge trail. It earned its name, since the mountain has a history as an old mining area. I could not help but feel somewhat nostalgic, walking… Continue reading Hiking Black Mountain in San Diego

Volcan Mountain is a Wine Country Classic

Hiking up Volcan Mountain rewards you with beautiful views of pristine wilderness, surrounded by charming farmscapes, amid the rolling hills of San Diego’s wine country. Reaching the peak is a somewhat challenging workout. You can take Volcan Mountain Trail all the way or take the Five Oaks Trail, which eventually joins Volcan Mountain Trail, on to the peak.

Mount Baldy in June

I set off on a hike up Mount Baldy, in June, just as the winter snows were finishing their late season melt-off. I had not been into the mountains much the past two seasons. Spring came and went without a hike amidst the high peaks of the San Gabriels. I had read Mount Baldy now had just just a small amount of snow left, and that the trail was mostly dry. It was time to get back up there, for my second ever hike up Mount Baldy, on Fathers Day, June 18th, 2023.

Bertha Peak

I drove up the scenic and winding Highway 33, and the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, on my way to Bertha Peak, elevation 8199. It is one of the high peaks surrounding Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. The hike would be 7.4 miles, and a level of moderate.