Santa Ysabel Road - Black Mountain Truck TrailDistance: 14.2 MilesElevation Gain: 3100'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 4:50Critters: A bobcat, a flock of quail, hawks, a momma duck protecting her nest, squirrelsPros:- Unique views of east San Diego County mountains, including Palomar, Volcan, Cuyamaca, Woodson, and Hot Springs Mountain.- Great early spring wildflower display- gentle incline for much of …
Backpacking in Santa Anita Canyon
First Water Trail - Gabrielino Trail - Rim Trail - Sturtevant Trail - Lower Winter Creek TrailDistance: Day 1 - 5.2 Miles              Day 2 - 13.5 MilesElevation Gain: 4,100' totalDifficulty: StrenuousCritters: A thriving grey squirrel populationPros: - Easily accessible from Los Angeles- Beautiful forest set along a stream- A sense of being a world apart …
Mt. Lukens
Haines Canyon Road/Motorway/Trail - Rim of the Valley RoadDistance: 11.8 Miles (11.4 if you don't go the wrong way.)Elevation gain: 3,200'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 4 hours, 34 minutesCritters: quailHow to Get There: Take the 405 north to the 118 East. Transition to the 210 East. Exit Sunland Ave, and make a left on Foothill Blvd. Make …
Photography – Western Sierras
These pictures were taken during two summer trips to the Sierras. The first trip, taken in June, 2011, went through Giant Forest, the High Sierra Trail, the Lakes Trail, Kings Canyon, Paradise Valley, Mist Falls, Redwood Canyon, and Stony Creek. The second trip in August 2011, which was shorter and included less hiking, features Moro …
Laguna Mountains
Big Laguna Trail - Pacific Crest Trail - Noble Canyon Trail - Sunrise TrailDistance: 12 Miles (approximately)Elevation gain: 900 feetDifficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 4 hours, 45 minutesCritters: hawks, rabbits, squirrels, bluebirdsYou Should Know: The Lagunas are part of Cleveland National Forest, and you will need an Adventure Pass to park here. Pros: Expansive desert viewsRelatively flat as …
Palomar Mountain State Park
Boucher Hill - Cedar Trail - Doane Pond and Lower Doane Valley - Chimney Flat.Difficulty: EasyDistance: 5 Miles (approximate)Critters Spotted: 15 mule deerTo kick off 2012, Kelly and I headed up to Palomar Mountain State Park for the fledgling tradition of a New Year's Day hike. We arrived at Silvercrest Picnic area  around 11:something in …
scott turner hikes 