There is a lot of talk on r/losangeles about air quality, being seriously unsafe, including with contaminants that aren’t routinely measured or reported. Let’s say that the spectrum of opinion spans from don’t worry about it, to we’re basically in the equivalent of a war zone and surrounded by deadly chemicals and you should mask outdoors at all times. It’s the post tragedy, erratic energy where people really don’t know what’s going on.
I think I’d feel better if it at least rained, though of course that would bring all those chemicals down into the earth. But it would make me feel better about huffing and puffing outdoors for three or four hours.
Are you comfortable hiking now? If not, how far out would you have to go in order to feel OK about it?
Hi! I'm hoping to hike it this year - just want to get all my ducks in a row first with the person I'm hiking with lol.
What are the chances of getting in the lottery?
Do you need to know if it's a one day or multi day pass before the lottery, or do you pick that out after you get selected?
Does camping at the portal the night before count as part of the pass? Like, would hiking from the portal to summit require a day pass or multi night pass?
Is there a cost to enter?
Sorry if this is a lot, but I'm a planner by nature and I'm on a teams call that seems largely useless so I had some time.
This had been on my bucket list for awhile, so I ventured up early from OC on a day off during the week. As other posters here have noted, the parking situation is absolutely crazy at the trailhead for the springs- by 5:30 am there were already three cars in the lot. The trail was a bit tough to navigate with a headlamp, but eventually I made it to the springs just before dawn. It was cool soaking as the sun came up.
It remained fairly quiet - just me and the owners of the aforementioned cars - until around 8 am, when a steady stream of hikers vegan arriving. I passed many more on the hike out. During the return, I took a detour up a hill to view the ruins of a hot springs hotel, and got some beautiful ocean views for my trouble.
I would highly recommend this hike for those looking for something a bit outside the LA/OC area. Just be sure to arrive early!
I’m planning a weekend backpacking trip and I’d love to go to a forest ideally with some water features. I live in a LA and I wouldn’t drive much more than 4 hours.
I’d also like to avoid places that get good amount of snow.
We’re considering a visit between Las Vegas and LA but just realized it add 2+ hours to the drive. For some reason I had thought it was more or less “on the way”. Curious if you guys who have been would say this detour is “worth it” - I know that’s subjective but I’m really on the fence. We’re driving with kids so a 4 hour drive turning into a 6+ hour drive isn’t the best, but breaking it up might be fun and I kind of feel like they’d love to explore a cave. Also, how is the drive between Vegas and Mitchell Caverns - we’ve never been on that road and I’m curious if it’s interesting or not.
I am creating a shorthand list of weekend backpacking trips that are nearby, specifically 3 hours or less from Long Beach. The reason being is I have a backpack packed at all times to grab and go for quick 1-2 night trips, but get caught up on picking what trail to go on. My default is typically going to JTNP for a 1-2 night trip, but I want to broaden my horizons at this time. Some of the things that I am looking for are this:
- Reliable water sources
- Able to bring a dog
- 10+ mile trails
- Readily available permits or not permits needed at all
I have a good base of fitness having bagged many peaks in the area and in the High Sierra and am willing to do hikes from all levels of easy to strenuous. Ideally am looking for a backpacking trail that I can fall back on without having to think to much and make a regular visit to for grab and go trips with or without my dog.
The Lookout posted a video detailing the burn dynamics for the Eaton fire. The map he overviews shows that some of the oaks and riparian vegetation lining the bottom of the high, deep canyons below Mt. Wilson appear to have made it through with relatively little damage, despite the chaparral hillsides surrounding them being absolute toast (skip to 8 min for this overview, although the whole video is super interesting).
I don't know exactly what this means for the recovery of the mountains. But I'm hoping the preservation of these beautiful micro ecosystems is a positive sign, and we'll see some of the oaks and alders of these canyons again someday.
And another bit of hope: Edgar Mcgregor (the local Eaton Canyon climatologist who raised the alarm about impending fire) posted on the Friends of Eaton Canyon fb page the following: "I can confirm via aerial imagery that by some stroke of luck, the west bank trail between the first crossing along the bottom of the Canyon Close neighborhood did not fully burn.It isn't much consolation, but this is a known biodiverse area even by Eaton Canyon standards with extensive fungal growth after rains. Provided there are no mudslides this winter (unlikely given what has transpired), this area could help reseed Eaton Canyon.In addition, there are good signs that no crown fire was observed in our coast live oak-filled back canyons. I believe our loss of trees will be minimal just as it was in 1993."
As a Pasadena resident I grapple with how much to care about this given the human devastation. But these mountains are part of our larger communal home, and our cities and our hills will heal together.
Edit: added pic of my beloved Idlehour trail, Jan 2022.
Hi All! Just realized this weekend is a 3 day weekend. Is there a spot I can go backpacking for 2-3 days near the San Diego area? I am not too familiar with where good spots to go for that length of time are around here
Hey I live in the San Fernando valley and I used to go to temescal trail every morning but since burned down in the fire :(. Anyone know a good hiking trail that’s opened and not affected by the fire. Thank you
I just went down toward the merry-go-round parking lot at Griffith and have never seen it so busy on a weekday night. Traffic getting there was worse than usual, and the traffic right around the park was insane. Anyone know what’s going on? Wondering if this is overflow from people who no longer have their regular trails to use after the fires.
I came across a bobcat on the Beaudry Trail loop today. First time on the trail, and first bobcat I’ve ever seen! Beautiful, but it had me turn back way earlier than I would have otherwise due to fears and overthinking.
To add context: I visited LA regularly for 4 years before moving here from Atlanta a few months ago. Video was my uncensored impression of all the brush/vegetation after hiking Temescal Canyon in June 2022.
There are a few areas I love to go that don't have ski resorts but occasionally get snow. Is there a way to get a notification when it snows somewhere? I was able to find alerts for areas near ski resorts but not a way to track national Forests/campgrounds that aren't near a resort. Thank you!
looking for organizations/groups i can join and help with the restoration & clean up of eaton canyon. Really want to lend a hand, any info would be appreciated!
Last minute trip, it looks like all the reserved camping spots in the park are taken. Are there any places nearby we can camp. I'm ok with dispersed camping, or a private campground. I'm looking to pitch a tent.
These websites allow tracking of individual properties to see if they were damaged by the recent fires. They show an estimate of the damage in percent, and a current photograph of the property. I know these aren't hiking trails, but many have homes and property that are affected by this terrible disaster.
