Stayed overnight, very windy at the top all night long, didn’t sleep well, but it’s an amazing hike! It was really difficult for me on the way up. But a very well maintained trail. Awesome views!!
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All trails pretty well marked, trail in good condition. Section to Twin Peaks East summit is steep but doable. Check out my trip report on HikingGuy: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/best-la-hikes/hike-mt-waterman-twin-peaks/
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Amazing scenery and not too difficult! Definitely stay to the right side of the river most of the way, I didn’t realize there are pretty clear trails up higher on the banks on my way towards the bridge. I went later in the day so coming back there was hardly any people and it was much cooler. Took about 5 hours total after spending some time at the bridge to swim. The water feels amazing! I actually felt more comfortable in my chacos sandals with socks rather than my heavy watered-down hiking boots!
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It gets very hot. Scorching sun, multiple river crossings, rugged terrain.
Make sure you bring:
- Hat, dude and dudettes!
- Water shoes (Crocs ok) and trail running shoes (to avoid wet sock blisters since this is an all day long hike)
- At least 100oz (3L) water but my last group ran out, two guys needed to use my Sawyer filter to drink the river water (which you really don’t want to do unless you have to). Also bring an electrolyte drink for when you’ve been melting under the sun and start to feel dizzy
- Carbohydrate loaded lunch in your bag
- Carb/protein snack in the car for when you get back
- Sunscreen (put on frequently, and after you dip in the river)
- Bug spray and a bright flashlight in case you get lost and don’t make it back before dark which you really don’t want to deal with (again, this happened w my last group — we passed a rattlesnake eating just before a river crossing in the dark which we had to do twice. Mosquitoes here will swarm you at dusk)
Bonus: Water filter, ultralight sun umbrella and trekking pole
Be safe. It can be dangerous. People get airlifted out for heat stroke
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I was attempting the Chantry Flats loop, but went to the wrong trail head (this was my first try at this hike). We hiked from the mount Wilson trail head to the radio towers, and it was BRUTAL. It’s pretty steep on the way up this route, and very uneven, which caused me severe issues with my sciatica. Even though this is lower altitude, I found it more challenging than Mt Baldy
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Strenuous hike that starts at the Mt Baldy Village Church. I would only recommend this hike if you’re comfortable with a consistently steep ascent.
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Although the elevation can be challenging, this hike was quite enjoyable. The fire roads/cat tracks provide an easier path up that isn’t super hard on your legs/back. There are a few technical sections towards the middle/end, but everything is doable for all skill levels.
And the views are spectacular towards the end of this hike.
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Great training hike for some of the larger hikes like Mt Wilson, Cucamonga Peak or Mt Baldy. Not much shade for most of the hike so bring plenty of water (at least 3L) and be sure to avoid going during the hottest part of the season and/or day.
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Started at 6am, forgot to hit record until an hour in so this hike is actually 7hrs, 12miles. We also took a slight detour near Cucamonga Canyon area. Overall this trail currently in the Summer is easy. There are some steep bits, and some narrow trail areas but overall straight forward. Trail is much more challenging/fun in Winter.
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This was such a beautiful challenging hike! You’re likely to encounter a myriad of wildlife including snakes, birds, bears, and florals! The cafe at the observatory is also a very nice rest stop with great food!
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Ass kicking elevation gain in a short distance. If you want to get in good cardio and leg strength training for hiking/backpacking, this route will save you time as it can be done in 2 hours round trip/~4mi at a moderate pace with minimal breaks. Watch out for coyotes!
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Awesome hike, first 2 miles are easy but the last 1.25 miles is really steep. There is no shade so definetely do the hike early during the summer. Parking is at redbox and trailhead is across from the parking lot.
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Easy hike with good shade in the first portion of the trail. Waterfall is nice. Good casual hike
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I really liked this hike. Plenty of incline to get a good workout on a short hike. Great views of the valley below.
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One of my favorite local hiking trails. This trail is very well maintained. There’s a clean bathroom with running water and flushing toilet at Bailey Canyon Park where the trailhead is located. Free parking also.
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Arrived at trailhead at 0600 and there was plenty of parking. Hiked up counter clockwise via the ski hut route, and it was a very steep ascent! Legs did not get tired or fatigued, but the altitude was slowing me down.
Steady pace to the summit with little time stopped. The summit was incredible! Very beautiful but a little chilly. Bring wind breaker next time.
Gear:
-Prana Zion pants
-Minus 33 merino wool undershirt
-Minus 33 merino wool LS 1/2 zip shirt
- 4 Liters of water
-Nike Flex Run 2018 shoes
-Prana Zion jacket
-Osprey Talon 22 backpack
-First Aid kit
-Microspikes (did not need)
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I wouldn't rate it difficult, at least not in any technical sense. I mean, yeah, it's a long walk of nearly ten miles and close to 3,000 foot elevation gain, but there's a very good trail and it's hard to get lost. Took me just over four hours and enjoyed lunch on the top. Perfect day for it with cool mists covering the summit most of the way up and cool mists blowing up the sides of the hills. Once past the main Deukmejian trails you'll pass someone going the other way maybe every ten minutes or so. Definitely do the loop. No sense in going back the same way you came. See more.
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stars
This was a great day for hiking; clear and high 60s. The road from the trail to South Hawkins has several large rock-slides that have come down across the road, and the road is also washed out by a running stream. The stream had a nice waterfall though. The trail up Hawkins Ridge had some snow near the around Middle Hawkins, some of which was deep enough that footing was sketchy. There was also significant snow on the PCT - like 8 feet in places. The snow is definitely contained in several patches and below 7,500' there was no snow. The trail was in good condition, though there were some trees across some sections along Hawkins Ridge.
The views from the various peaks were great, but you can definitely tell that there was a major fire within the last few years.
★
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Great hike! We took this loop clockwise hiking up on the Baldy bowl and down along the devils backbone. The hike up was quite steep the whole way (nearly 4000 ft elevation in less than 4 miles), but coming down on the backbone was amazing. Also we took the easy way out and rode the lift down. They typically close at 5pm but we got lucky and they were running late. The last bit of hiking we skipped was just service road and not all that exciting. This hike is quite strenuous for only an 11 mile hike.
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Moderate hike. The landscape varies from secluded Colby Canyon with nice water crossings to open mountain side trails, tree shaded flats, and open fire road. The top itself is a bit disappointing, but with great views. Good practice hike.
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Busy in the beginning due it Echo's popularity, but nice and calm after Echo. Mt Lowe East Trail needs little scrambling, but beware of mountain bikers barreling down the steep portions. Return on Mt. Lowe West Trail has at least 6 downed trees blocking path as of yesterday. Need to climb over or under them.
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I did the loop trail on Sat 2/9 via horse track(upper), there was lots water and skipped many streams. I started 12pm and returned to parking lot 4:50pm about 9 miles. It was good.
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Had a few rescues with mountain bikers attempting this route. Not a good bike trail, and in places not a trail at all. Very long hike, for the experienced only!
Steve G., Montrose Search & Rescue
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Some damage to the trail from the recent rains, but nothing impassible and volunteers are already doing grading. During the government shut down there is a sign that the trail is closed, but there are no obstacles. (The chantry flats trailhead cannot be accessed right now). Half of the trail had shade, the observatory on top has running water.
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Super day hike up to Inspiration Point. Especially after
Echo Mountain heading into Castle Canyon. Narrower single track, fewer people, quiet and cool down into and then up the side of the canyon. Saw a family of deer who let me pass. Inspiration Point is a perfect top out
with benches and a gorgeous view down the canyon to Pasadena and LA. Just a great hike and reminder of how easy it is to get out of the city and into the mountains.
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Great time of the year to hike this trail. It was cool and fall colors where on display
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This was a fun and easy hike to Big Horn Mine. I would have given this trail 5 stars, but there was sooooo much trash. Our small group (my hiking family) took trash bags with us, and thankfully so! We picked up about 5 lbs of recycle trash (beer bottles, gatorade, water, and more beer cans), and about 10-15 lbs of trash trash. There were so many glow-sticks, tissue paper, candy wrappers, snack wrappers/bags, trashed clothing, and the worst of all - some person pooped IN THE MINE! It was rank! We doubled bagged that and put it in our large trash bag. I hope those that go on this trail will pack their trash out with them. You carried it full, now carry it out empty.
The views were breathtaking, the mine was awesome, there is bathrooms and trashcans at the trailhead. You go left for the mine and right for the eternal switchback trail to Mt. Baden-Powell.
I recommend this hike.
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Great hike. Well maintained trail for the first half. Mostly shaded trail.
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Not too hot, beautiful day with clear weather yet shade under the trees.
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Did this Hike near the end of October and it couldn't have been a more perfect time. It was cool and crystal clear skies so you could see for miles. There are so many awesome views. It actually took me closer to 5 hours with sitting at the top for lunch and stopping to look and take pictures. This is a really nice well maintained trail that is easy to follow until you get to the top. The only thing that makes this difficult is a very steep climb near the end. For me, the altitude was making it difficult to catch my breath. After reading several reviews I didn't take the full loop but came back the same way. There were so many views I missed on the way up! The instructions say to go thru the white fence opposite the day use area, but there also actually is a trail a bit to the left of that location. The trail and the road behind the fence merge at the sign that says Trail. This was a truly beautiful hike and well worth doing..
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Recommended that you do this hike on a cool weather day. No water sources on this trail you have to carry all your water with you. It was 85° and i carried 6L and it was barely enough. Drank 1L the 1st 3 miles stashed 2L at the saddle for the way back kept 3L with me. The uphill is steep and the downhill feels steeper. Pants and boots reccomend you might be able to get away with trail runners. Definitely a Very Strenuous Advanced hike.
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This is a good workout hike. It reminds me of Echo Mtn except Jones is twice as long and twice as high. There’s no shade, so definitely a morning hike. About 10 car spaces at the entrance lot.
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My sons and I took a weekend to camp overnight at the campground. Hiked down the trail at night. With just a flashlight and the often narrow washed out trail, it was sometimes difficult to know we were still on the trail with out using GPS. The trail had a lot of overgrowth and fallen trees blocking the path which made it difficult going with full backpacks on. We enjoyed the campground. It had a nice fire pit for fires and was level for sleeping. It has a clear view of the night sky, which was disappointing to my son who prefers to sleep in a hammock. Although I'd give the trail only two stars, I gave it an additional star for the campsite. It was nice to have it all to ourselves when we are used to some more popular sites that always feel so crowded.
★
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My sons and I took a weekend to camp overnight at the campground. Hiked down the trail at night. With just a flashlight and the often narrow washed out trail, it was sometimes difficult to know we were still on the trail with out using GPS. The trail had a lot of overgrowth and fallen trees blocking the path which made it difficult going with full backpacks on. We enjoyed the campground. It had a nice fire pit for fires and was level for sleeping. It has a clear view of the night sky, which was disappointing to my son who prefers to sleep in a hammock. Although I'd give the trail only two stars, I gave it an additional star for the campsite. It was nice to have it all to ourselves when we are used to some more popular sites that always feel so crowded.
★
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stars
