On a sunny Southern California winter's Saturday, we hiked the Flint Canyon Trail, a Los Angeles County-maintained trail, to the famed, possibly haunted Devils Gate Dam. This post contains hiking safety and a nice brunch suggestion in neighboring Montrose.
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, and today make 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.
We return to Shoemaker Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains to explore the spooky Cold War-era escape tunnels. The project was abandoned, but the tunnels remain a testament to a time gone by marked by fear and hysteria. In this post are trail conditions at time of writing and safety considerations.
Under a cover of clouds and precipitation, the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade kicked off 2026 in Pasadena, California. Celebrating 'The Magic in Teamwork,' floats pay tribute to themes of community, friendship, collaboration, and resilience. We wish you a hopeful and blessed new year.
Old Sacramento, the historic waterfront district and National Historic Landmark, offers up a fun adventure for families and history nerds alike. We learned so much about California history and the trans-continental railroad's impact on the culture and economy of the Golden State at the California State Railroad Museum. All aboard!
The Cranky Camper 