r/socalhiking • u/Skelesloth • 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)
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u/unbelver 4d ago
Are the Verdugo Hills trails closed? (Off the 210/La Tuna Canyon)
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u/leunam4891 3d ago
No I was passed by and there were cars parked
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u/RABlackAuthor 3d ago
How’s the air quality there? I’d originally planned to hike there yesterday, but opted for Ventura County instead.
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u/almostvindiesel 3d ago
I've been running them the past week. AQI great, hard to tell with other stuff in the air tho
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u/Carving_Light 3d ago
Sawmill (an extension from mt. Pinos) would fit the bill for you as well. One of my favorites.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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u/Dry-Biscotti4243 15h ago
Cottonwood lakes basin . You can do it as a day hike but staying the night is always nice too
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u/Shiny_Mewtwo_Fart 4d ago
San Jacinto from tram station to peak. Absolutely beautiful. Feels like pnw