During a slight cool-down in the late summer heat wave, we headed into the Angeles National Forest for a new adventure. Rabbit Peak from Monte Cristo Campground is a 6.5-mile hike that is considered hard for steep trails and loose rock. For those adventuring in this part of the Angeles, this hike offers up great views of the San Gabriel Mountains backcountry.
On a mild, early summer day, we explored a section of the Pacific Crest Trail and a new peak. Starting from 6000' Day Use Area along Angeles Crest Highway, we hiked PCT to Cloudburst Summit, then headed up the trail to Winston Peak. At 7502 feet, this peak offers a nice workout hike in pretty pine and cedar forest.
Claremont Hills Wilderness Park has many opportunities for adventure. On a cool Saturday, we headed up to explore a different part of the park: Potato Mountain. Situated at the front of the San Gabriel Mountains, Potato Mountain offers nice views of the Pomona Valley below. Why it's called Potato Mountain is a mystery, but this hike offers up a good workout and a low-key adventure.
On a winter visit to Indio, we explored the East Indio Hills Badlands. The rocky formations were created by millennia of deposition, geologic uplift, and erosion. Today, these formations make for a fun low-key adventure not far from desert resorts. In this post, I share our morning adventure, along with some safety considerations for desert hikes.
The Cranky Campers celebrate the start of the summer solstice in true LA style. We attended the second night of Noah Kahan's "We'll All Be Here Forever" set at the Hollywood Bowl, then returned to Griffith Park to hike up to the famed Hollywood sign and visit the Batcave.
The Cranky Camper 