This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "1,000 Hikes in So Cal". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
Pantera Park turned out to be hike number three on the day, however, for visitors with limited time, this makes for a great short outing outside. The hikes starts in bustling Pantera Park, where basketball courts and tennis courts are often full. The hike begins in the parking lot and passes a dog park before accessing a trail that elevates toward a ridge. A trail continues along the spine of the ridge toward the high point known as Pomona Benchmark. Usually for me, the climbing of a peak at the end of the trail culminates a hike.
Looking toward Pomona Benchmark.
However, in this case the peak is on private land, thus reaching it would be a case of trespassing. There is a large fence near the end of the ridge trail that exemplifies that fact. Some may ascend at their own risk. It was tempting to me, but ultimately I never considered the risk to be worth it. Instead, I turned around and headed back toward the water tank that sits above the park. From there, I dropped down another pathway to form a small loop from the water tank back to the park. This makes for a quick outing, but rather satisfying, since the hike passes through some open spaces preserved within the city limits.
Sycamore Canyon is one of the three hikes I was able to highlight in Diamond Bar. Since each are short, I did them all in one day in order to round out a nice hiking day. This hike was the shortest of the three while also having its own distinctive personality.
Pleasant Strolling.
It sits in a lush canyon with its rim ringed with homes. However, once on foot on the canyon floor, it feels like a secluded canyon out in the wild. Well, part of the time, anyway. The trail parallels a creek in an oak woodland before elevating to a junction. A sharp left leads to the top of the park high point.
On the summit loop.
A small loop path encircles the high point while featuring some picnic tables. The loop feels a bit like a victory stroll after completing the short climb.
Returning to the canyon floor.
Afterwards, I returned into the canyon and spent a little extra time getting close up looks at the creek before concluding the hike and heading to the next destination on the day.
Whenever the hiking bug hits me, but the driving bug doesn't want to come along, I will opt for a nearby neighborhood hike. Although I don't live in Diamond Bar, it is a short drive from home. Fortunately, there is some preserved open space nearby all the housing developments that are well established for hiking. Probably the best of all options is the Steep Canyon - Grandview Loop.
Dropping into the canyon.
The hike has a few potential starting points, but the most reliable would be from the end of Steep Canyon Road, where a signed trailhead is. The trail elevates a staircase and continues up a ridgeline. It tops off at a highpoint before bending around above a neighborhood and arrives at Summitridge Park.
Climbing out of the canyon.
The hike passes through the parking lot where it picks up the Grandview Trail. This part of the trail drops into the canyon and passes along a shaded oak woodland before climbing back out below the ridgeline. This forms a loop back to the trailhead. The are feels a bit secluded and non-urban, despite being adjacent to the city itself.
The hike starts at Dawson Saddle, which leads to a high ridge, featuring some of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Range. The first of which is Throop Peak. I had visited this summit a few times in the past, and I was happy to include it on this outing.
Summit use trail to Throop Peak.
The trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail just below the summit. I left the PCT pretty much right after I got on it by taking a summit use trail to the top of Throop Peak. The summit elevation is 9,138, which is also the highest point on the hike.
Summit plaque on Throop Peak.
I descended the opposite slope of Throop to quickly return to the PCT, where I continues Southwest toward the Mt Hawkins. Once again, a summit use trail leaves the PCT to reach Mt Hawkins.
Approaching the summit on the use trail.
However, this time it wasn't optional, this was also part of the route. After topping on Mt Hawkins, I paused for a few minutes as I looked down the ridge the dropped from the summit to the south. Although walking downslope would be in my immediate future, I would have to climb back up it as well, so I needed to mentally prepare to maintain the energy on the way back.
Heading down the ridge.
I left Mt Hawkins to the south and continued down the slope on a use trail. As expected, the route was not difficult to descend, though there were some obstacles such as downed trees to navigate around. At the far end of the ridge, it is considered to be the summit of Copter Ridge.
On the summit of Copter Ridge.
A summit register sits there with a great view of the surrounding peaks and ridges. The elevation is at 7,500 feet. This made for a great lunch spot for the needed fuel to climb back up. When the time came, off I went with a head of steam back up the ridge.
Summit view of the ridge route back.
Mental preparation certainly paid off, as I was prepared for the long climb. Before long, I crossed back over Mt Hawkins, thereby conquering the ridge. I then returned along the PCT and back down the Dawson Saddle Trail to complete the triple peak hike.
The hike to Twin Peaks is one of the more difficult hiking options available from Angeles Crest Highway. The trail starts on the Waterman Mountain Loop Trail, but breaks off toward Twin Peaks along the way.
Hovering above the marine layer.
The trail drops about 1,000 feet to a saddle between Mount Waterman and Twin Peaks. The climb begins steeply up toward East Twin Peak. This is the higher of the Twin Peaks. I paused several times to catch my breath along the way. Once on the summit, there are views down into the San Gabriel Wilderness and West Twin Peak.
On the summit of East Twin Peak.
While partially climbing back down, I then diverted over to West Twin Peak. This is a lesser visited summit, but I was gratified to be there, since this was my first visit to it. The views aren't quite as expansive, but there is a good view toward East Twin Peak.
View of West Twin Peak.
After signing the summit register, I descended back to the saddle. From there, the most difficult part of the hike begins. Although I just climbed two peaks, I needed to maintain enough energy to elevate back to the trail on the eastern slope of Mount Waterman.
View of East Twin Peak from West Twin Peak.
For me. this was a tough and slow 1,000 foot elevation climb. However, once I reached the Waterman Trail, it was pretty much downhill all the way back to Angeles Crest Highway.
Summit of West Twin Peak.
As always, it is an exceptional feeling of accomplishment when rounding the corner and spotting my vehicle.
