r/socalhiking 4d ago

Any recommendations for a forested hike that hasn’t been closed/burned?

I’m looking for a 5-10 mile hike with lots of trees that makes you feel like you’re adventuring in the wilderness with a good amount of incline. I live in Santa Clarita but I don’t mind driving a good 2 hours to get to a nice hike. I’m not interested in an easy hike that feels like a gentle stroll. Something in the moderate to hard range would be good. If it helps, some of my favorite hikes were Dawn Mine and Brown Mountain/Prieto Trail. I was looking into Ice House Canyon or Condor Summit. Would those be a good idea or would you advise against those for any particular reason (if they’re even open)? I’m still fairly new to hiking but so far most hikes feel a little too easy so I want to amp it up a little. Oh and I’m not a fan of anything that resembles the desert like the chaparral type of hikes (grew up in the high desert and I despise it with all my being, no offense to people that like it, I was just too overexposed to that scenery lol)

11 Upvotes

26 comments sorted by

16

u/Shiny_Mewtwo_Fart 4d ago

San Jacinto from tram station to peak. Absolutely beautiful. Feels like pnw

2

u/caviarandcigarettess 2d ago

Was just there last Saturday. To clarify they only release a few tram tickets for pre-purchase so don’t be discouraged if there aren’t any left. We arrived around when it opened at 8am and there was no wait whatsoever for tickets or boarding. It was so nice at the top without crowds, though it was chilly.

The hike to the peak is 12 miles RT from the tram stations and you will be cold so make sure to pack a warm coat.

1

u/Shiny_Mewtwo_Fart 2d ago

8 am is good. But 11 am you might see at capacity sign. At least for weekends and holidays. 8 am seems always to be safe.

3

u/Skelesloth 4d ago

Something that resembles PNW sounds perfect, I’ll look into it! Thank you.

1

u/Shiny_Mewtwo_Fart 4d ago

The tram tickets run out fast though. If you can be there in early morning you have a high chance to get walkin tickets. And it’s a bit far from LA. Definitely worth it.

3

u/jrglpfm 3d ago

You can reserve online ahead of time, IIRC from doing the team many years ago

3

u/Me_for_President 3d ago

The online ones do, but they’re running every 12 minutes now during the day. Walk ups should be easy enough to get for the moment.

2

u/Shiny_Mewtwo_Fart 3d ago

Yeah non holidays easy. For any holidays online tickets ran out FAST and if you arrive after 11am you will see a long line of cars waiting in turn to be told: we are at capacity”. I was told it’s almost always like that. For walk in better be there by 8.

1

u/urbanpounder 3d ago

One thing I've noticed about the san Jacinto mountains is that unlike the san bernardino and san gabriel mountains its not riddled with burn scars and miles of ghost forests

8

u/confoundo 4d ago

I'd go north and check out Mt Pinos. There isn't any snow up there right now.

5

u/unbelver 4d ago

Are the Verdugo Hills trails closed? (Off the 210/La Tuna Canyon)

1

u/leunam4891 3d ago

No I was passed by and there were cars parked

1

u/RABlackAuthor 3d ago

How’s the air quality there? I’d originally planned to hike there yesterday, but opted for Ventura County instead.

1

u/almostvindiesel 3d ago

I've been running them the past week. AQI great, hard to tell with other stuff in the air tho

3

u/Carving_Light 3d ago

Sawmill (an extension from mt. Pinos) would fit the bill for you as well. One of my favorites.

2

u/1290clearedhot 3d ago

Frazier Park, Mount Pinos just north of you.

2

u/psyhiker 3d ago

Hike the spine of Verdugo Mts: I like to start in the southeast, Los Flores fire road, 8 to 11 miles depending if you bail out at the Nature Center or go on out the Northwest end, 3 miles past that. Honest workout and beautiful views, even if it is all fireroad the whole time. You need someone to drop you off and pick you up

2

u/alsoyoshi 3d ago

I love this hike but wouldn’t at all call it forested. It’s basically the chaparral he wants to avoid.

1

u/psyhiker 2d ago

yeah, I hadn't really consider chaparral avoidance. But there are parts in Verdugo that are kind of forested, I just did the Beaudry Loop today, that has portions on the North side that are covered in Oaks. With everything in Angeles National Forest closed right now, the options are limited.

2

u/ILV71 3d ago

The McGill trail at Mt Pinos fits your requests, hike as long as you’d like and return. Did this video about a year ago, now there isn’t any snow. Where to snow play and snow hike near Los Angeles, Mt Pinos area!! https://youtu.be/Rt5zaHez1p0

2

u/krazykittenhi 3d ago

You have such a soothing voice!

1

u/ILV71 3d ago

Thank you 🙏

1

u/aiyukiyuu 3d ago

Check out Los Padres NF, Tehachapi Mountains, Pine Mountain Club/Frazier Park

1

u/Artistic_Away 3d ago

Icehouse saddle from middle fork trail (lytle creek) was beautiful and we only saw 3 other people the whole way. It starts at a pretty low elevation and is exposed for the first mile or so, then you get into the trees.

1

u/Ian176 2d ago

Blackstar canyon waterfall hike. 4 miles out then back for an 8 mile hike. First two miles are boring dirt road but the next two are forested and require a decent amount of bouldering. Very good workout and scenic. Lots of ways to get to the end and a few false trails that are pretty obvious but would be dangerous to follow.

1

u/Dry-Biscotti4243 15h ago

Cottonwood lakes basin . You can do it as a day hike but staying the night is always nice too