Hiking journal of my hikes completed in 2016.

• 2015 Hiking Journal
• 2014 Hiking Journal
• 2013 Hiking Journal

Total Miles hiked in 2016:

• 625.2 miles with 149,368 gain

Miles hiked in Angeles Forest in 2016:

• 500.9 miles with 124,048′ gain

When clicked, all images below open a new tab at a larger size. Unless noted otherwise, links in descriptions below are to galleries with additional photos.

Hike #70 on December 29. In Angeles National Forest, from Bailey Canyon, I followed the Bailey Canyon Trail to Jones Peak and returned the same way.

Stats: 6.0 miles, 2200′ of gain and loss.

Hike #69 on December 27. In Angeles National Forest, from Chantry Flats, I followed the Gabrieleno Trail to the Upper Falls Trail (a.k.a. Lower Gabrieleno Trail) to the Gabrieleno Trail to the Mt. Zion Trail to Mt. Zion. From Mt. Zion, I followed the Mt. Zion Trail and the Upper Winter Creek Trail to Chantry Flats.

Stats: 9.7 miles, 1980′ of gain and loss.

Hike #68 on December 24. In Angeles National Forest, from Eaton Canyon, I followed the Eaton Canyon Trail to Eaton Falls.

Stats: 3.8 miles, 550′ of gain and loss.

Hike #67 on December 18. In Angeles National Forest, from the Switzer Picnic Area, I followed the Gabrieleno Trail, Bear Canyon Trail, and Switzer Falls Trail to Switzer Falls and returned the same way with Lorenzo.

Stats: 3.8 miles, 990′ of gain and loss.

Hike #66 on December 17. In the Santa Monica Mountains, from Circle X Ranch, I hiked the Mishe Mokwa Trail and the Backbone Trail to Sandstone Peak with Monique.

Stats: 6.1 miles, 1270′ of gain and loss.

Hike #65 on December 12. In Angeles National Forset, from Red Box, I hiked to Strawberry Peak and back the same way.

Stats: 7 miles, 1845′ of gain and loss.

Hike #64 on December 8. In Angeles National Forest, from Red Box; I hiked the Gabrieleno Trail down to the Upper Switzer Picnic Area and returned the same way.

Stats: 7.0 miles, 1340′ of gain and loss.

Hike #63 on December 1. In Angeles National Forest, from the upper gate at Millard Canyon, I hiked the Upper Sunset Ridge Trail to Echo Mountain.

Stats: 7.2 miles, 1612′ of gain and loss

Hike #62 on November 25. In Angeles National Forest, from the south parking area at Chilao near Little Pines Loop, I hiked the Silver Moccasin Trail to Horse Flats, the Mt. Hillyer Trail to Mt. Hillyer, the Mt. Hillyer North Hiker’s Trail to Horse Flats, walked through Horse Flats and followed the Silver Moccasin Trail back to Chilao.

Stats: 6.8 miles, 1345′ of gain and loss.

Hike #61 on November 19. In Angeles National Forest, from Shortcut Saddle, I hiked the Silver Moccasin Trail to West Fork Campground.

Stats: 6.8 miles, 1700′ of gain and loss.

Hike #60 on November 17. In Angeles National Forest, from Chilao (at Little Pines Loop), I hiked the Silver Moccasin Trail and Vetter Mountain Road to Mt. Vetter.

Stats: 9 miles, 1250′ of gain and loss.

Hike #59 on November 11. In Angeles National Forest, from Red Box, I hiked the Gabrieleno Trail to Valley Forge Campground.

Stats: 4.6 miles, 1160′ of gain and loss.

Hike #58 on October 2. In Angeles National Forest, from Baldy Notch reached by ski lift, I hiked the Three Tees Trail to Thunder Mountain, Telegraph Peak, and Timber Mountain and returned without re-summiting the peaks.

Stats: 10.5 miles, 3407′ of gain and loss.

Hike #57 on September 25. In Angeles National Forest, from Crystal Lake, I hiked the South Islip Ridge Trail to Mt. Hawkins and returned via the North Islip Ridge Trail, Windy Gap Trail, the road to Deer Flat, the short Sunset Ridge Loop Trail at Deer Flat, and the Lost Ridge Trail back to Crystal Lake with David, Verner, Toby, ET, and Brian.

Stats: 11 miles, 2835′ of gain and loss.

Hike #56 on September 18. In Angeles National Forest, from Dawson Saddle, I hiked the Dawson Saddle Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail to Mt. Hawkins to the Hawkins Ridge Trail to Middle Mt. Hawkins and South Mt. Hawkins. On the way back, I summited Throop Peak and followed its west ridge down to the Dawson Saddle Trail.

Stats: 13.2 miles, 3420′ of gain and loss.

Hike #55 on September 11. In Angeles National Forest, from Vincent Gap, I hiked the PCT to Mt. Baden-Powell and followed the east ridge down to the PCT and to Mt. Burnham. I followed the PCT the entire way back to Vincent Gap.

Stats:10 miles, 3456′ of gain and loss.

Hike #54 on September 4. In Angeles National Forest, from the Vista Day Use Area, I hiked Kratka Ridge to the summit of the same name and then followed the ridge (sometimes x-country) to the Mt. Waterman Trail and up to Mt. Waterman. To return, I followed the Mt. Waterman Trail down to Kratka Ridge, followed the ridge a short distance until it split off to a road which I followed down to Angeles Crest Highway (near mile marker 59.10), and followed Angeles Crest back to the Vista Day Use Area.

Stats: 9.5 miles, 2270′ of gain and loss.

Hike #53 on September 1. In Angeles National Forest, from Buckhorn Campground, I hike the Burkhart Trail to Burkhart Saddle and then followed Pleasant View Ridge to Will Thrall Peak and Pallet Mountain #2 and returned the same way.

Stats: 12.2 miles, 4040′ of gain and loss.

Hike #52 on August 28. In Angeles National Forest, from Islip Saddle, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to Throop Peak. On the way back I summitted Mt. Hawkins and followed it’s west ridge back down to the Pacific Crest Trail and returned to Islip Saddle.

Stats: 11.3 miles, 2698′ of gain and loss.

Hike #51 on August 25. In Angeles National Forest, from Eagles Roost, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Pleasant View Ridge to Mt. Williamson.

Stats: 5.8 miles, 1899′ of gain and loss.

Hike #50 on July 28. In the San Gorgonio Wilderness in San Bernardino National Forest, from Angelus Oaks, I hiked the San Bernardino Peak Trail to San Bernardino Peak.

Stats: 16 miles, 4700′ of gain and loss.

Hike #49 on July 21. In Angeles National Forest, from Mile Marker 54.10 along Angeles Crest Highway, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to Cloudburst Summit and then followed it around Bump 6903 from the north face. I then followed the Winston Ridge use trail to Winston Ridge Peak. On return, I went around Bump 6903 on the west face and summited Winston Peak before returning to Cloudburst Summit and following the Pacific Crest Trail back to parking.

Stats: 11.1 miles, 2353′ of gain and loss.

Hike #48 on July 17. In Angeles National Forest, from Islip Saddle, I hiked the PCT and Pleasant View Ridge to Mt. Williamson, Middle Mt. Williamson, West Mt. Williamson and Pallett Mountain.

Stats: 9.1 miles, 3877′ of gain and loss.

Hike #47 on July 14. In Angeles National Forest, from the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, I hiked Icehouse Canyon and the Three Tee’s Trail to Timber Mountain and Telegraph Peak.

Stats: 13.2 miles, 4915′ gain and loss.

Hike #46 on July 9. In Inyo National Forest, from the White Mountain Trailhead, I hiked with Etienne and Aitana to White Mountain.

Stats: 15 miles, 3375′ gain and loss.

Hike #45 (A) on July 8. In the Ancient Bristlecone Forest, from Shulman Grove, I hiked the Methuselah Walk.

Stats: 4 miles, 800′ gain and loss.

Hike #45 (B) on July 8. In Inyo National Forest, from Grandview Campground, I hiked with Etienne and Aitana from our campsite to a small peak on the north side of the campground.

Stats: 1.5 miles, 410′ gain and loss.

Stats for the day: 5.5 miles, 1210′ gain and loss.

Hike #44 on July 4. In Angeles National Forst, from Islip Saddle, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Mt. Islip Trail to Mt. Islip and returned via the trail to Little Jimmy Campground and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Stats: 6.6 miles, 1890′ of gain and loss.

Hike #43 on July 2. In Mt. San Jacinto State Park, from Mountain Station, I hiked to Mt. San Jacinto.

Stats: 11 miles, 2500′ of gain and loss.

Hike #42 on July 1. In Angeles National Forest, from Manker Flats, I hiked the Baldy Bowl Trail to Mt. Baldy and came back via the Devil’s Backbone Trail.

Stats: 11 miles, 3904′  of gain and loss.

Hike #41 on June 26. In Kings Canyon National Park, from Roads End, I hiked the Paradise Valley Trail to a point above Mist Falls with Etienne.

Stats: 8.8 miles, 2180′ gain and loss.

Hike #40 (A) on June 25. In Kings Canyon National Park, from campsite #72 in Sentinel Campground, I hiked to the Don Cecil Trailhead and followed that trail and the Lookout Peak Trail to the slot in the rocks just below the summit, hiked back down to the lodge for lunch, walked in the Kings River, and hiked back to our campsite with Scott and Etienne.

Stats: 11.3 miles, 3885′ gain and loss.

Hike #40 (B) also on June 25. In Kings Canyon, from the Zumwalt Meadow Parking area, I hiked the Zumwalt Meadow Loop with Scott and Etienne.

Stats: 1.5 miles, 250′ gain and loss.

Stats for the day: 12.8 miles, 4135′ gain and loss.

Hike #39 (A) on June 24. In Kings Canyon National Park, from Roads End, I hiked the Kanawyer Trail and a short part of the Bubbs Creek Trail (due to a wrong turn) to Bailey Bridge and then followed the Paradise Valley Trail back to Road’s End with Scott.

Stats: 5.6 miles, 535′ gain and loss.

 Hike #39 (B) also on June 24. In Kings Canyon National Park, from the Hotel Creek Trailhead, I hiked the Hotel Creek Trail and the Cedar Grove Overlook Trail to the overlook with Scott.

Stats: 4.5 miles, 1510′ gain and loss.

Stats for the day:10.1 miles, 2045′ gain and loss.

Hike #38 on June 18. In Angeles National Forest, from the Mt.Waterman Trailhead along Angeles Crest Highway, I hiked the Mt. Waterman trail to Mt. Waterman (small loop at the summit). This was a repeat of hike #1 (but with a full backpack for training).

Stats:6.5 miles, 1320′ gain and loss.

Hike #37 on Jun 16. In Angeles National Forest, from Vincent Gap, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to Mt. Baden-Powell.

Stats: 7.8 miles, 2814′ gain and loss.

Hike #36 on June 12. In Angeles National Forest, from Dawson Saddle, I hiked to Mt. Burnham, Mt. Baden-Powell, and Throop Peak.

Stats: 9 miles, 2680′ gain and loss.

Hike #35 on June 5. In Angeles National Forest, from Dawson Saddle, I hiked the Dawson Saddle Trail and PCT to Mt. Hawkins and returned via Throop Peak with Karl and Valery. We also saw a fire on Kratka Ridge.

Stats: 6.1 miles, 1475′ gain and loss.

Hike #34 on June 2. In Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest, from Icehouse Canyon, I hiked the Icehouse Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle and then followed the Cucamonga Peak Trail to Cucamonga Peak. I returned the same way.

Stats: 12 miles, 4060′ gain and loss.

Hike #33 on May 26. In Humboldt Lagoons State Park, I hiked the Dry Lagoon Trail to a campsite on the banks of Stone Lagoon with Sarah.

Stats: 5.4 miles, 610′ gain and loss.

Hike #32 on May 20. In Pinnacles National Park, I hiked a loop consisting of the Moss Springs Trail, High Peaks Trail, and Condor Gulch Trail.

Stats: 6.1 miles, 1570′ gain and loss.

Hike #31 on May 15. In Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest, from Inspiration Point, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to Wright Mountain with Karl and Valery.

Stats:13.4 miles, 2275′ gain and loss.

Hike #30 on May 14. In Angeles National Forest, from Islip Saddle, I hiked the PCT, Hawkins Ridge Trail, and Middle Mt. Hawkins “Hiker’s Trail” to Middle Mt. Hawkins.

Stats:8.5 miles, 2080′ gain and loss.

Hike #29 on May 12. In Angeles National Forest, from Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, I hiked Icehouse Canyon and the Ontario Peak Trail to Ontario Peak. Although there were a few patches of snow, there was no water at Kelly Camp. On my way up Icehouse Canyon, above Columbine Springs, I saw a small bear traverse the steep slope from the ridge across from the trail down to the stream bed.

Stats:12.6 miles, 3735′ gain and loss.

Hike #28 on May 8. In Angeles National Forest, from Red Box, I hiked to Upper Strawberry Meadow.

Stats: 10 miles, 1670′ gain and loss.

Hike #27 on May 7. In Los Padres National Forest, from the Red Rock parking lot, Debbie, Kevin and I followed the trail to one of the Santa Ynez River crossings for a short family hike.

Stats: 3.1 miles, 175′ gain and loss.

Hike #26 on May 1. In Angeles National Forest, from Mile Marker 4.50 in Big Tujunga Canyon Road, I followed the trail up to the Condor Peak Trail to Fox Peak with Etienne.

Stats: 12 miles, 3000′ gain and loss.

Hike #25 on April 30. In Angeles National Forest, from Colby Canyon Trailhead, Colby Canyon, Josephine Saddle Trail, and Upper Josephine Road to Josephine Peak.

Stats: 8.4 miles, 2150′ gain and loss.

Hike #24 on April 28. In Angeles National Forest, from Mill Creek, I followed the PCT up to the saddle with Mt. Pacifico. From there, I took Mt. Pacifico Road down to Roundtop Truck Road and followed that to Roundtop. From Roundtop, I followed the roads down to Mill Creek.

Stats: 16.3 miles, 2550′ gain and loss.

Hike #23 on April 24. In Angeles National Forest, from the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, I followed the Pacific Crest Trail (with a side trip to the Observation Tower/Water Tower at Jackson Flat) to Vincent Gap and then went to Big Horn Mine with Karl and Valery. On our return to Vincent Gap, my friends made it a shuttle hike and I continued back to Grassy Hollow.

Stats: 11.8 miles, 1970′ gain and loss.

Hike #22 on April 23. In Angeles National Forest, from the parking lot by JPL, I hiked the Gabrieleno Trail to the dam past the Paul Little Picnic Area.

Stats: 8.8 miles, 800′ gain and loss

Hike #21 on April 21. In Angeles National Forest, from South Fork, I followed the Manzanita Trail (a.k.a. High Desert Trail) to Vincent Gap and then followed the PCT and the spur trail to Lamel Springs.

Stats:14.2 miles, 3640′ gain and loss

Hike #20 on April 17. In Angeles National Forest, from Devil’s Punchbowl parking lot, I followed the High Desert Trail and Devil’s Chair Trail to Devil’s Chair with Karl and Valery.

Stats: 7.4 miles, 1185′ gain and loss.

Hike #19 on April 16. In Angeles National Forest, from Islip Saddle, I followed the PCT and Pleasant View Ridge up to Mt. Williamson and back on a very windy day.

Stats: 4.2 miles, 1544′ gain and loss.

Hike #18 on Apr 14. In Angeles National Forest, from Three Points trailhead, I followed the Mt. Waterman Trail. A large number of downed trees blocking the trail (especially between 2 miles in until the JCT with the Twin Peaks Trail) got a little tiring for me on my first day back into the forest after three weeks on the East Coast. So, I decided to go around the mountain instead of doing an out and back. Due to the added mileage involved, I skipped the summit and continued along the Mt. Waterman trail to Angeles Crest Highway and followed that to Cloudburst Summit. From there, I followed the PCT back to Three Points.

Stats: 14.1 miles, 2640′ gain and loss.

Hike #17 on Mar 18. In Angeles National Forest, from the Vulcan Materials Plant trailhead parking area, I solo hiked the Fish Canyon Falls Trail to the Fish Canyon Falls.

Stats: 4.8 miles, 700′ gain and loss.

Hike #16 on Mar 9. In Angeles National Forest, from Cloudburst Summit, I solo hiked the PCT down to Cooper Canyon Falls. I left the PCT on the way back so I could summit Winston Peak.

Stats: 7.1 miles, 2180′ gain and loss.

Hike #15 on Mar 3. In Angeles National Forest, from Eaton Saddle, I solo hiked to Mt. Lowe and followed the Upper Sam Merrill Trail (A.K.A. West Mt. Lowe Trail) down to the 5 points junction where I followed the Idlehour Trail to Idlehour Campground. I returned to Eaton Saddle via the East Mt. Lowe Trail.

Stats: 12.1 miles, 3553′ gain and loss.

Hike #14 on Feb 28. In Angeles National Forest, from Three Points, I solo hiked the Silver Moccasin and Mt. Hillyer Trails to Mt. Hillyer. From Mt. Hillyer, I followed a faint hiker’s trail down to Horse Flats Campground (in front of the parking area for sites 1-3). I followed the road in the campground back to the junction leading to the Silver Moccasin Trail which I took back to Three Points.

Stats: 8.8 miles, 1555′ gain and loss.

Hike #13 on Feb 26. In Angeles National Forest, from the Switzer Picnic Area, I solo hiked the Gabrieleno Trail and Bear Canyon Trail to Bear Canyon Campground and Switzer Falls.

Stats: 7.5 miles, 1860′ gain and loss.

Hike #12 on Feb 22. In Angeles National Forest, from Red Box, I solo hiked down the Gabrieleno Trail, up the Valley Forge Trail to Eaton Saddle, through Meuller Tunnel and up to San Gabriel Peak. From San Gabriel Peak, I followed the San Gabriel Peak Trail to Mt. Wilson Road and took that back to Red Box. It was good to see that the poodle dog bush are almost gone and what remains is easy to avoid.

Stats: 8.8 miles, 2616′ gain and loss.

Hike #11 on Feb 17. In Angeles National Forest, I solo hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Three Points to Sulphur Springs Campground. I explored a possible route to make that a loop instead of an out and back (see map below). My track map shows a Y shape. The right leg of the Y leads to a rock outcrop with nice views. Notice the trail indicated beyond the left leg of the Y on the map. There is a metal post indicating the beginning of the way down the trail, however, it isn’t clear (at least not to me) how to proceed beyond the point I made it to. I turned back due to losing the currently unmaintained trail and followed the PCT. There was light rain the last mile to the trailhead.

Stats: 8.4 miles, 1065′ gain and loss.

Hike #10 on Feb 12. In Angeles National Forest, I solo hiked from Chantry Flats following the First Water Trail to Hermit Falls. From Hermit Falls, I followed the First Water Trail back up to the 3/4 Junction sign and then continued up to Lower Winter Creek which I followed to Upper Winter Creek and took that back to Chantry Flats.

Stats: 7.2 miles, 1360′ gain and loss.

Hike #9 on Feb 7. In Angeles National Forest, I solo hiked Devil’s Canyon down to the trail camp.

Stats: 5.6 miles, 1325′ gain and loss.

Hike #8 on Feb 3. In Angeles National Forest, I solo hiked the Icehouse Canyon Trail to the upper junction with the Chapman Trail. I turned back because icy snow conditions prevented me at my snow hiking skill level from moving forward even with microspikes.

Stats: 5.6 miles, 2,080′ gain and loss.

Hike #7 on Jan 27. In Angeles National Forest, I solo hiked the Sunset Ridge Trail to the Cape of Good Hope, the Lower Mt. Lowe Railway Bed to Echo Mountain, the Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point, the One Man & Mule Trail to the Muir Peak Trail to Muir Peak. I then went  back to Inspiration Point and followed Mt. Lowe Road down to the Upper Mt. Lowe Railway Bed  which I took down to Mt. Lowe Campground (for lunch). After lunch, I continued down the Upper Mt. Lowe Railway Bed to the Cape of Good Hope and down the Sunset Ridge Trail to the upper parking area.

Stats: 12.9 miles, 2760′ gain and loss.

Hike #6 on Jan 25. In Angeles National Forest (SGMNM), I solo hiked the PCT from Islip Saddle to Windy Gap, followed the PCT back down to Little Jimmy Campground, walked through the campground and took the road down to where it meets the PCT to avoid the thin icy part of the PCT on the way back. I used microspikes from the trailhead. The snow is still fairly deep in most places and should still be there for a while. However, it is icy all the way. By the end of the day, there was some melting about the last 1/4 mile to the trailhead. I skipped going to Mt. Islip because I was running late and there was no trail to be seen along the icy slope from Windy Gap. I decided to scout the road I never took in the past instead. I’ll be using that road a lot when there is significant snow on the trail.

Stats: 5.1 miles (GPS–map doesn’t show mileage for the road), 920′ gain and loss (map).

Hike #5 on Jan 16. Day two of my camping trip in the Anza-Borrego Desert. I hiked the Arroyo Tapiado & Arroyo Seco del Diablo Loop with some exploring with Scott. This is described in Afoot & Afield in San Diego, Chapter 37, Trip 3.

Stats: 16.4 miles, 860′ gain and loss (calculated using GPS)

Hike #4 on Jan 15. Day one of my camping trip in the Anza-Borrego Desert. I hiked Bow Willow Canyon with Scott. This is described in Afoot & Afield in San Diego, Chapter 36, Trip 5. We added a short walk to the trailhead from our campsite.

Stats: 8 miles, 690′ gain and loss (calculated using GPS)

Hike #3 on Jan 8. I solo snowshoed from Angeles Crest Highway down Upper Chilao Road, up the Silver Moccasin and Mt. Hillyer Trails to Mt. Hillyer in Angeles National Forest (SGMNM).

Route Instructions: Chilao to Mt. Hillyer. For the portion covering Angeles Crest Highway to the Silver Moccasin Trail Trailhead see map below).

Additional Photos: Silver Moccasin Trail from Chilao to Horse Flats, Mt Hillyer Trail from Horse Flats to Mt. Hillyer, Mt. Hillyer

Stats: 7.4 Miles, 1,240′ gain and loss (includes distance from Angeles Crest Highway calculated by GPS).

Hike #2 on Jan 2. I hiked the Gabrieleno and Bear Canyon Trails from the Switzer Picnic Area to Switzer Falls with Kevin in Angeles National Forest.

Stats: 3.8 miles, 990′ gain and loss.

Hike #1 on Jan 1. I hiked the Mt. Waterman Trail from Angeles Crest by Buckhorn Campground to Mt. Waterman and added a loop at the summit with Kevin in Angeles National Forest (SGMNM)

Route Instructions to summit: Mt. Waterman Trail. For the loop portion, follow the map below.

Additional Photos: Mt. Waterman, Mt. Waterman Trail from Angeles Crest to JCT Twin Peaks, Mt. Waterman Summit Trail.

Stats: 6.5 miles, 1,320′ gain and loss (includes additional loop calculated by GPS)