Category: San Gabriels

Getting Lost in Mount Gower Preserve – 10.5 miles in the San Diego Backcountry

@serafinahikes

The hike to Mount Gower sit's deep within in the backcountry of San Diego, in rural Ramona, CA. This area is the site of many popular hikes such as Cedar Creek Falls. It also is prone to becoming notoriously hot, especially in the canyons. Aside from the potential for suffering heat exaustion, having a run-in with rattlesnakes, and the other wildlife which frequent the area. To minimize my chances of encountering snakes, I had chosen to hike here during a cooler month of the year, early in the morning. This does decrease, though not eliminate the chances for snake encounters.

Mount Islip Elevation 8250

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I drove up to Crystal Lake Recreation Area from Hwy-39, parking at the Islip Ridge trailhead. After climbing up to four peaks a year ago, to “The Four Hawkins,” I was back again in a beautiful alpine wilderness, standing deep within a giant granite bowl. But there was one more adjoining peak I had not climbed, Mount Islip, which is included in the Sierra Club’s Hundred Peaks section.

Icehouse Canyon’s Fall Colors

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I hiked up to Icehouse Saddle, which sits at 7600 feet, for the first time in a year. It sit's nestled within the Cucamonga Wilderness, not far from one of the most famous hikes in California, Mount Baldy. It may not be as well known, as Mount Baldy, but is still one of my favorite hikes. It is especially beautiful during fall in November.

Josephine Peak in the San Gabriels

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The month of October is one of my favorite times of year to hike. I would hike up to Josephine Peak (5561 feet) in early October with my two hiking buddies. The weather was a bit on the cool side in the morning, and so it would be just about perfect temps for this hike, hovering between 50 and 70 degrees that day. This peak is located within the San Gabriels, a National Monument and mountain range, located northeast of Los Angeles.

Celebrating Freedom – July 5th – Mt Baden Powell

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I climbed Mount Baden Powell (9407 feet) once before. It was May 13th, 2021. I was somewhat new to long hikes, and it was the first high peak I had ever attempted. Much has happened since then, and I have added extensively to my peakbagging resume. The big news of the day was the Big… Continue reading Celebrating Freedom – July 5th – Mt Baden Powell