#154 South Park Peak & High View

Looking up toward High View.

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South Park Peak Hiking Map.

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Parking coordinates: 34.0786°N, -116.3997°W.

Summary

This hike is one of the shorter ones, but worthy of its own write-up.  Much like the Warren Peak hike, this one starts at Black Rock Campground, although at a different trailhead. The trailhead sits at the end of South Park Road, in a relatively small parking area. 

Approaching the summit.

A single loop hike can be formed to summit both South Park Peak and the overlook known as High View.  I completed this one as an add-on hike to the area after completing the Warren Peak - Panorama Loop hike.  It was too convenient to ignore, especially when I had quite a bit more to give in my energy tank.

On the summit of South Park Peak.

I started the hike going north in a counterclockwise direction to reach South Park Peak.  The early steps after leaving the parking lot was the only point where there was a steep section (only a few steps), the rest of the way was easy going.  It wraps around the east slope of South Park Peak for some good views over the town of Yucca Valley.  On the summit sits a bench and a summit register.

A Joshua tree archway.

I looped down the west slope back to the parking area, where I continued on the Hi-View Nature Trail toward High View to form a second loop.  This too is a short and easy climb to a nice overlook of the area.  I again continued down the opposite slope, then eventually back to the parking area, which was visible the whole time.  Short and sweet, yet still there are a few other hikes in the area that can also be added on for the day.

View from High View.

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#153 Warren Peak & Panorama Loop

A lone Joshua Tree and Warren Peak.

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Parking coordinates: 34.05513°N, -116.40718°W.

Summary

The hike begins at Black Rock Campground, which has no fee for day-hikers to visit. Warren Peak is a hike that I had completed several times from this starting point. 

Warren Peak.

However, including Panorama Peak to the hike makes this a much better experience.  So instead of just going out an back to Warren Peak, the Panorama Peak Loop is quickly accessible along the way.  

On the summit of Warren Peak.

Warren Peak has great views over the northwest part of the park to the south, as well as the town of Yucca Valley to the north. I pondered for a bit on the conical summit before returning the wash, where the Panorama Peak junction is accessed. 

Heading up the Panorama Loop.

The hike gradually climbs up a ridge to its high point at Panorama Peak.  As the name suggests, the views are good up there. 

Summit view toward Yucca Valley.

After the high point, the trail loops back down to the wash, where it then becomes a sandy descent back to the parking area and campground.  This may be the best hike in the Black Rock area, although there are certainly more to choose from.  I took the time to give nearly each its own day.

Viewing Warren Peak on the way back.

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#152 Strawberry Peak

On the way to Strawberry Peak.

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Parking coordinates: 34.2836°N, -118.1203°W.

Summary

Strawberry Peak sits along a high ridge featuring Josephine Peak and Mount Lawlor.  Strawberry is the tallest and more impressive of the three.  It also does resemble an upside down strawberry! 

Getting a good view of Strawberry Peak.

The Strawberry Peak Trail extends along the lower slope of Mount Lawlor, which is rather level much of the way leading to Strawberry Saddle.  From the saddle, it is a different story, as it climbs rather abruptly up the side of the mountain.  However, with persistence, and the desire to stand on the top like a conquering hero, the climb eventually runs out of elevation. 

Approaching the peak.

On this recent visit, there were at least three summit signs waiting for me (which is a rare thing, since visitors at other mountains that i went to often take these signs home like souvenirs).  

On the summit.

The descent is also steep, but quick.  Once back at Strawberry Saddle, there are other options, such as adding Mount Lawlor, going to Strawberry Potrero, or even continuing to Josephine Peak after leaving the summit. 

Dropping down to Peak 5166.

I planned to give each peak its own day, so I headed back the way I came.  However, before going all the way back down, I veered off the trail a bit to visit a side peak, Peak 5166.  This is the visible high point in between Red Box and Mt Lawlor.  Therefore, I turned it into a double peak visit.

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#151 Josephine Peak

Starting out at the trailhead.

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Parking coordinates: 34.271061°N, -118.153706°W.

Summary

The hike begins at the start of Josephine Peak Fire Road, which is only a few yards from the intersection of Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway.  From there, this is relatively no mystery.  The fire road is simply the route to the summit.  It is a gradual climb that elevates a lower ridge before extending to the higher ridge that connects Josephine Peak to Strawberry Peak. 

Approaching the summit.

A left turn at that junction continues to Josephine Peak.  In that section, the first bit of shade is encountered as the road passes to the shaded side of the ridge.  It ends at a utility vehicle parking area, where a use trail elevates to the official summit. 

On the summit, with a good view of Strawberry Peak.

On top sits a cabinet with a summit register and some solar equipment.  Some nice views of the surrounding mountain range is abound with a nice 360 view.  I returned the same way, although there is an alternative way along the upper ridge (which avoids some of the monotony of hiking a dirt road).  Either way, it connects with the road at the Strawberry Peak Junction before heading back down the rest of the way.

A parting view of Josephine Peak right before sunset.

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#150 The Norco Crosses

Heading into the hills.

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Parking coordinates: 33.945903°N, -117.517427°W.

Summary

Norco is Horse Capital USA.  At least it's Horse Capital of Southern California.  City streets are lined with walking paths for riding horses, which made me feel a bit out of place while driving to the trailhead.  I parked at Pikes Peak Park in a suburban community and walked down the street to Ingalls Equestrian Center.. 

Heading toward Peak 1261.

From there, a network of trails go into the hills, with the most notable destination being Pumpkin Rock.  While most visitors go to Pumpkin Rock, I deliberately bypassed a visit to it by heading straight into the hills from the equestrian center.  A decent use trail heads up to the ridge to the north of Pumpkin Rock.

On the summit of Peak 1261.

I summited Peak 1456 first, which had a cross on top, but it was in disrepair.  My next time up I found it badly damaged and lying on the ground.  Regardless, it was satisfying to reach the summit and appreciate the views.  I next extended out to Peak 1261, which has the best views on the hike. 

Riverside city views.

It is a bit out of the way from the loop but worth the effort getting to.  When heading back, and just below Peak 1456, the hike passes another impressive cross at an overlook point above Riverside.  Although not intended to, that point also marks the near halfway point between Peak 1261 and Peak 1477 (AKA: Ravitz), which is the high point on the hike.

Halfway to Peak 1477.

The hike continues up the ridge to the high points around Peak 1477.  Another grand cross marks the summit with great Inland Empire views. After topping out, the trail goes steeply downhill toward Crestview Avenue, where street walking goes the rest of the way back to Pikes Peak Park, forming a grand semi-loop through the Norco Hills.

Approaching the high point.

Reaching the top.

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