Category: Socal Hikes

4 Peaks in a Day

@serafinahikes

So here we were, at the South Fork Trailhead, just three days before we would leave for the High Sierra Trail, doing a shakedown hike. We were starting late, and that was my fault. But I wanted to go ahead with the shakedown hike anyway, since we were running out of days to do this, before the Sierras. I wanted to have one day to recover before we headed up there. We arrived just after 4pm, and had just a few hours of sunlight left. The parking lot was completely empty of cars, which was not what I was expecting.

Mount San Jacinto from the Tramway

@serafinahikes

I would hike 11 miles roundtrip to Mount San Jacinto from the tramway. It was not the first time I had climbed Mount San Jacinto. In fact I had climbed this mountain from Idyllwild once, a year ago, as a birthday present to myself. I love challenging myself, and with the temperatures down in Palm Springs into the triple digits, it was a perfect time to escape the desert heat, on a tram ride.

Painted and Ladder Canyon

@serafinahikes

Ladder and Painted Canyons are one of the most interesting desert hikes through the backcountry in the Mecca Wilderness in the Coachella Valley. Light paints the desert canyon walls along this hike in many shades of red, purple, green, and gold, depending on the time of day. The tall sheer walls of painted canyon will make you feel so small, in comparison. 

Weir Canyon Hike

@serafinahikes

Are you ready for a perfect 3.5 mile hike through wildflowers, oaks, interesting rock formations, with amazing mountain views? Then check out my hiking guide to Weir Canyon, in Orange County, California. It's one of the Best Hikes in OC.