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.
