Exploring Sturtevant Falls and Spruce Grove

The hike began downhill from the newly opened Chantry Flats parking area. It has been closed since last year, when the devastating fires wiped out the area. The parking area sits around 2150 feet, and the falls sit around 1700 feet in elevation so I would be hiking deep into a canyon along a sun exposed path. There are a series of flood control dams and spillways throughout Big Santa Anita Canyon, along this hike. A man named Wilbur Sturtevant established a trail camp here in 1893. The cabins such as Robert’s Camp and Hogees Camp were built in the early 1900’s here.

Chino Hills in Spring

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.

California Desert Cave Homes? Yes, they exist.

I was somewhat skeptical when hearing about the caves of Dublin Gulch. I had passed by this way once before, on the way back from Death Valley. I had no idea what type of irishmen had inhabited these parts of the desert near Shoshone Junction. They had to be risk takers. To live and mine in a desert, you would have to be someone who goes from broke. It was either going to be an interesting desert hike, or it would be a bust. I love old ruins, and architecture, so for me this seemed like a must see.

A Bunny Hop Around Crystal Cove on the Perimeter Loop Trail

I decided to do a bit of hiking and trail running around the Crystal Cover Perimeter loop. This is a trail I have come back to again and again, regularly for years. I love Crystal Cover since there are so many different routes to choose from. Today I was feeling like starting at El Moro… Continue reading A Bunny Hop Around Crystal Cove on the Perimeter Loop Trail

Hiking the Four Hawkins

I set out to hike the Mount Hawkins Loop on a beautiful fall day. October is by far the best month of the year for hiking to peaks above 7000 feet, since the weather is just about perfect.  High Mountain Gooseberries A Fall Hike October is a small window for hiking to peaks close to… Continue reading Hiking the Four Hawkins