Trail washed out in spots. Lots of graffiti and inexperienced hikers. Very sad example of internet exposure ruining a really cool spot.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
