SierraDescents | Category | Hiking
August 16, 2013
House of Pain
Olancha Peak has long commanded my attention. First of the Southern Sierra's big mountains, Olancha can be thought of as the range's regional ambassador. Drive Highway 395 north (more)
June 26, 2013
The South Fork Loop
"Don't tell me how far it is," I say. I don't want to know. We're at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, waiting for it to open so we can get hiking permits. You need permits to enter (more)
June 12, 2013
Mount Hollywood
Rising only 1625 feet above sea level, Mount Hollywood may sound lowly. But it is surely one of the must-do summits in Southern California. You won't need much more than a pair (more)
November 7, 2012
Rim to Rim: I Think You Can Do It
The call comes at 3:30 a.m. In record-setting fashion, my brother has pushed this decision to literally the last minute possible. If he says go, we'll hop in the car and drive to (more)
September 30, 2011
White Mountain
White Mountain, California — It would be a mistake to call White Mountain an easy fourteener (is there such a thing?). But it's not unreasonable to call White Mountain (more)
August 25, 2011
Telescope Peak Trail
Telescope Peak, California — monsoon moisture pops thunderheads to the south, while drier air pushes down from the north. Forecast: indeterminate. It's seven miles from (more)
September 4, 2010
Half Dome via the Cables
It is perhaps the most famous hike in the United States. Every Summer, thousands attempt the 16 mile round trip from Yosemite Valley's floor to Half Dome's 8836-foot summit. (more)
August 15, 2010
The South Kaibab-Bright Angel Loop
It is only natural, standing atop Grand Canyon, to gaze into the depths below the rim and wonder if it's possible to hike all the way down to the river and back in a single day. (more)
July 9, 2010
The Bridge to Nowhere
You have to admire the audacity of the attempt to build a road through San Gabriel Canyon connecting Azusa and Wrightwood. The planned route, along the East Fork of Southern (more)
June 22, 2010
Williamson Blues
This past weekend I and two friends made a go at Williamson via the big-big West Face/Shepherd Pass route. We made it as far as Anvil camp, but had to turn back the following day (more)
October 24, 2009
Mt. Baldy Bikini Party
Okay, I kid you not, as I was driving to Mt. Baldy this morning for an early-season training hike, I was bemoaning the dearth of scantily clad women in the backcountry. I mean, (more)
May 22, 2009
Phil Leacock Memorial Trail & Loop
Los Angeles has a wealth of good metro-area hikes, though finding them can be challenging. One of my favorites is the Phil Leacock Memorial Trail, which connects Pacific (more)
September 14, 2008
PCT: Onion Valley to Cottonwood Pass
Horseshoe Meadow, California — I take one last look inside my car, checking to be sure nothing will appeal to the bears, and then I lock the doors. It feels kind of spooky as (more)
October 28, 2007
A Very Special Halloween Treat
For my last major hike of the 2007 season, I wanted to do something special. I got the chance this month to do a rare hike with my brother in Arizona. This is definitely one of (more)
July 29, 2006
Hiking San Jacinto Peak
Of the view atop Southern California's San Jacinto Peak, elevation 10,804', John Muir reportedly said, 'it is the most sublime spectacle to behold upon this Earth.' Having (more)
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