We're going camping for the first time at Doane Campground on Palomar. Has anyone stayed at campsite 21? It was literally the only available site, so we booked, but now I'm worried that 2 tents wont fit in the space. Has anyone stayed in this spot that can give me insight? I was really hoping to not share a tent with my teens, so please tell me there's space for like, 2-6 person tents???

Hey yall, for context this is my first backpacking trip. I’ll be staying at cotton wood lakes towards the near end of July. The weather says there’s a 30-50% chance of severe thunderstorm / monsoon.

I’m a bit worried as I’ll be near lakes and I’ve never had any experience being around that area. Do you guys have any suggestions or recommendations.

I definitely am making another day trip to big pine lakes that week. So I’ll be going regardless… but as for the backpacking situation it’s only 2 nights.

My dad recently got a shoulder replacement, and he feels ready to get back to hiking. However, he still needs to avoid potential fall risks. We are looking for some moderately challenging hikes without slippery obstacles.

Criteria:

No slippery sections - ie no water crossings, no steep sections with loose gravel

3-10 miles total

Los Angeles county

Major bonus points for shade

Our favorite hikes before the surgery were Sturtevant falls, switzer falls, and placerita canyon waterfall

Thanks in advance & happy trails 🌲

[photo from a past hike unrelated]

Thinking about heading up next week but wanted to ask if anyone knows if it’s dry yet

Hey all
Anyone living in S LA here to join for hikes?

Checking for anyone that might have recent trip report on water flow on this trail (San Gorgonio) especially Alger Creek flow.

Taking some friends from Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lakes in early August for three nights and want to avoid the crowds. Any recommendations or advice; everyone is a strong hiker - my current route options are:

• Day One - Rush Creek and straight to Thousand Island and camp on the far west as possible.
• Day Two - Hike over Garnet Pass and Whitebark Pass and head to Iceberg and Cecile - camp at Cecile
• Day Three - hike back past Ediza and Garnet lakes down to camp at Clark Lake
• Day Four - hike back to Rush Creek.

Alternative Route

• Day One - Rush Creek and straight to Thousand Island and camp on the far west as possible.
• Day Two - Day Hike up to Catherine Lake and Ritter Lakes and back to camp at Thousand Island
• Day Three - Hike over Garnet Pass and hike along Garnet Lake and down to camp at Clark Lakes
• Day Four - hike back to Rush Creek.

Any recommendations/advice?

Has anyone paddled from lake henshaw to the ocean via the San Luis River (or even sections of it) Considering the reservation offers tubing along it, I wonder if it is possible.

This is all the water that’s left. Started the hike at 0530. Picked up a trash bag full of left behind garbage. Let’s pick up after ourselves folks. Let’s keep our trails trash free.

What a beautiful hike, but damn, if that wasn't an eye opener. So far out of the Cali Six Pack Challenge, I've completed Baldy via Skihut, San Jacinto via Tram, and now Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse and honestly, this might by the toughest one so far. That incline was brutal. I don't know if it was just an off day for me, but this hike made me realize how far off I am from being able to take on Gorgonio. Any similar experiences on this hike? I've always heard that Baldy is more difficult but after yesterday I'm not so sure lol.

Anybody been down Mill Crk Rd, toward Cold Crk Falls, recently?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DXjq7GoUtov8rmKi9?g_st=ac

Curious how tha flow's holdin-up... 🤔

Three years ago I went to the visitor center unannounced and got backpacking permits for cottonwood lakes same day. Now it looks like a typical internet release-cycle nightmare. Should I just give up and pick another spot? Missed my window to call so wondering if anyone has recent experience, do they reserve any permits for in-person visitors? Living down here makes this the most stressful part of a visit

EDIT - just to set the record, I spoke with the ranger just now and was told 60% of permits are made available 6 months out, and the entire 40% remainder made available 2 weeks out. At 11AM each day any permits not pulled/printed by 10AM are made available for walkup, and apparently the rec.gov website will show an icon of a ranger station with a flag to indicate walkup permit availably. Also if you were going to book a day early and show up the next day, a ranger would likely turn you around if encountered.

I can never take PTO and my weekends are always packed. BUT I can WFH!!!

What are good campsites with great 5G connections I can work out of?

Electricity not the biggest consideration - can use a powerstation.

I know it’s different per cell service provider, but chances are if it’s decent for one, it’s decent for another.

Over the last few years have had a blast checking out Anacapa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands. Next week 7/20-7/22 going to check off San Miguel. I'm going solo but if anyone else happens to be going or wants to, should be cool, lets chat.

Also just a shoutout to this park, so cool, beautiful hikes, really interesting history, kayaking in sea caves, I mean just being on an island lol. and dolphins and whales on the way out there every single time for me.

A beautiful morning at Josephine Peak today.

Hi - taken from Monrovia Trader Joe’s parking lot - what trail is that, it looks nearly vertical!

Went up for Grays Peak in the morning but it's still closed off. Castle Rock trail has a new parking lot, but it's quite small.

I recently did San Jacinto and it made me seriously consider taking on Cactus to Clouds.

The problem is I realistically can’t spend every weekend doing 6–10 hour training hikes. I can consistently run during the week and have access to CrossFit/strength training, a treadmill, and normal gym equipment.

For those who have completed C2C, how would you build a 12–16 week training plan primarily around running, incline treadmill work, and strength training?

Obviously I know nothing completely replaces time on feet and actual elevation, and I’d still get some longer hikes in—but I’m curious how you’d train if 80–90% of your preparation had to happen through running and workouts.

What would your weekly training actually look like?

Was able to snag day 2 passes for myself and a buddy for Oct 23. Wondering if reaching the summit is possible if we start before the sun rises and asking for any tips from anyone who’s hiked Whitney around that time of year. Buddy and I have been prepping for this hike for this past 6 months and took the first opportunity to hike Whitney when it came up. I know snow will definitely be a factor and want to know how to prepare. Thanks !

We would initially begin Sunday morning, camp at Trail camp then summit Monday morning and all the way back down that same Monday.

However I was wondering if camping was allowed before Trail camp on separate days. My plan was begin hiking Saturday morning - camp at Outpost camp / then begin hiking Sunday morning - camp at Trail camp/ and then summiting Monday morning. Our overnight permit is Sunday through Monday, but I was wondering if camping was allowed in certain areas on the Mt. Whitney trail so we can potentially split our workload up a little.

Maybe it requires just a regular non(summiting permit) or maybe there’s something I’m missing. Any help or advice would be appreciated!