GoLite Hex 3 Nest Tent Los Angeles CA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 6.1 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 1250 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: Mt. Islip (pronounced eye-slip) affords spectacular views over the San Gabriel Valley to the south and clear to the ocean, if the air is clear. For a good view of the valley areas, a smog-free day is best. The reason for the good view in all Directions is that the summit is not only high (8250 feet elevation), but is a fairly sharp peak. There used to be a Forest Service fire lookout tower on the top. Remains of a small cabin used by the lookout for living quarters may be seen just below the top. One of the earliest two-way radios used by the Forest Service was located at this lookout for fire reporting during the 1930's. Forty years ago, there were many more lookouts on various peaks of the Angeles National Forest, but the increase in smog decreased visibility so much that their effectiveness was greatly reduced and they were closed.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo State Park
Length: Round Trip: 9.9 miles
Trail type: Loop
Elevation Change: 3000 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: Mount Olympia is one of the park’s prime destinations, a rugged outcrop with fantastic views of dizzying canyons, particularly with the mists of winter. The Middle Trail to Mount Olympia is a nature lover’s delight and the climb toward Prospectors Gap and descent from North Peak is challenging. Follow Donner Canyon Road to Middle Trail, which takes you to Prospectors Gap Road. Turn left and climb steeply to Prospectors Gap, here follow the North Peak Road and Trail to Mt. Olympia. Complete the loop alone Olympia Road and Trail (avoid private property) and return to the previously traversed Donner Canyon Road along the Cardinet Oaks Road, finally retracing your steps to the trailhead.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Redwood National Park
Length: 8.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 40 feet
Maximum Elevation: 700 feet
Elevation Change: 660 feet
Best Season: Summer
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Redwood Creek Trail in Redwood National Park provides access to the Tall Trees Grove and the Emerald Mile. This is the only trail in the national park that requires a backcountry permit. Permits are free and available on a first come, first served basis from the Redwood Information Center. The trail is accessed from Bald Hills Road via a short dirt road. A picnic area and trailhead are at the end of this access road. The Redwood Creek Trail begins at an elevation of approximately 40 feet. The trail follows the path of Redwood Creek gaining little elevation in the first mile. Approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, Redwood Creek Trail crosses Redwood Creek and continues leading southward on the western bank of the stream. Be careful, this stream crossing and another close to the Tall Trees Grove can be dangerous during winter and spring. Immediately after crossing Redwood Creek, the trail crosses a tributary and begins to gain elevation. The trail quickly climbs to about 200 feet, then descends slightly before crossing another tributary. Beyond the second tributary crossing, Redwood Creek Trail turns eastward following a bend in the river. Continuing to trace the stream bed the trail makes a rounded turn southward, reaches 250 feet then crosses another small creek. Beyond this crossing the trail descends to 150 feet then turns slightly west rounding another bend. The next mile and a half leads southwestward to Bond Creek. The trail crosses this drainage then immediately turns eastward remaining on the western bank of Redwood Creek. Follow the creek east and then south for a mile to reach Forty-four Creek. Cross this small stream then turn east following a bend in the creek. After a short distance the trail turns south for a quarter mile, then turns abruptly westward to a trail junction. This trail leads northward a quarter mile to Forty-four backcountry camp. Walking past the trail junction, the Redwood Creek Trail and Redwood Creek make a large turn to the east. Redwood Creek Trail fords Redwood Creek before then bend straightens and leads into the Tall Trees Grove. Before the stream crossing is the best vantage point of the world’s tallest tree, which stands in the grove just across Redwood Creek. At this point, the trail joins the path of Tall Trees Trail, follow the trail to the left to wind through the redwood grove. One mile east of this stream crossing, the trail reaches the trailhead at the end of C-Line Road. A quarter mile past the trailhead to the south, the trail joins the Dolason Prairie Trail. Camping is permitted along the Redwood Creek Trail on the gravel bar of Redwood Creek. All camps must be made a quarter mile from the Tall Trees Grove and to the south of the first foot bridge from the picnic area at the northern end of the trail. A wilderness permit is necessary for day and overnight use of Redwood Creek. Bridges across Redwood Creek are in place during summer months only. Stream crossings can be dangerous during the winter and spring months.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: Round Trip: 1 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7500 feet
Elevation Change: 100 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Light

Description: The Cold Springs Nature Trail heads east along the East Fork of the Kaweah River. The trail is 1/2 mile and lined with interpretive signs. The trail is along level ground but still provides excellent views of the surrounding glacier-carved valley. The interpretive panels provide information about the natural features of the valley. You can turn back at the last sign or continue on. Beyond the last sign, the trail follows the river and connects with a road in about 3/4 miles. This is a good trail for kids, but be careful near the river bank.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: Round Trip: 2 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 6250 feet
Maximum Elevation: 6600 feet
Elevation Change: 350 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Converse Basin Grove was once the world’s largest sequoia grove, until virtually every mature tree (reportedly around 3,000 trees) was cut down early in the 1900's. So many trees were taken that the area is known as Stump Meadow. The Boole Tree was spared, along with a few other less accessible giants. Boole is the world’s eighth largest sequoia. This two mile loop trail heads to the Boole Tree from a parking area on Converse Road. Leading straight out from the parking lot you are quickly on the edge of Kings Canyon and you’ll enjoy open, sweeping views as you switchback up the ridge. Shortly after finishing your climb, you reach a short side trail that leads into a depression containing the Boole Tree This sequoia grove also contains the Muir Snag, the oldest known giant sequoia. This tree, which was over 3000 years old when it died, was discovered by and named for John Muir.