These 5 Southern California Forest Trails Will Bring Out Your Adventurous Side
By Natasha Kayes|Published October 13, 2022
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
California’s mountains offer a huge variety of trails, from easy, family-friendly walking trails to intense – even dangerous – trails, to thrill any hiker. If you are a serious hiker looking for a real adventure, these five forest trails in Southern California will not disappoint. With challenging terrain and epic views, these hikes are fun and rewarding for the intrepid. Are you ready to check these trails off your list?
As the name implies, this trail begins in the desert of Palm Springs and rises through the forest to San Jacinto Peak. Due to the heat in Summer, it is recommended to only hike this trail in cooler months.
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This is an intense hike and many who make the peak hike back five miles and take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway back to the desert floor.
315 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA
Amazing views accompany almost every part of this 12-mile out-and-back trail. It is steep, so during snowy winters, hikers should be prepared with microspikes and poles.
7644 Ice House Canyon Trail, Mt Baldy, CA 91759, USA
San Jacinto peak provides shady resting spots and even a place to set up camp and stay the night, before hiking back down. Want to know more? Learn the facts about Icehouse Canyon Trail.
4. San Bernardino Canyon Peak Trail via Angelus Oaks
This 15-mile trek leads to San Bernardino Peak, one of the most beautiful but lesser traveled peaks in Southern California. The trail is challenging but smooth. Weekend backpackers often stay the night at Limber Pines, in the second of three trail sections.
San Bernardino Peak Trail 1W07, San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305, USA
A bucket list item for serious hikers, San Gorgonio, also known as "Old Grayback," is the highest mountain in Southern California. The trail to the peak is 19 miles long, and water is available with two creeks along the way.
If you are a hiker, have you conquered any of these challenging forest trails? Share your favorite trail experience with us in the comments! If you prefer the beach over the forest, check out some of Southern California’s scenic beach trails.
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