Monday, November 30, 2015

Murray Hill (in training)

Hiking date: May 30  2015
Location: Palm Springs CA
Rate: Hard


Murray hill is a hike that goes up to the highest point in the area, Murray Hill. You start off at the west side of the peak. Next, head up the, "Garstin Trail" to some switchbacks. Hike along the top of a hill and hike down. You will see a few tall peaks and the tallest one out of them is Murray hill. Go up the, "Clara Burgess Trail". Next, you'll reach some small bumps and then go up to a tall peak. Go about 45 minutes further to reach the summit. It was tempting to do the whole thing.


Going down:   







Sunday, November 29, 2015

Wildwood #3

Hiking date: August 16 2015
Location: Yucaipa CA
Rate: hard

Wildwood is back! We did the same thing only we went 30 minutes further. From the point we stopped on Wildwood #2, go around a bend and go north. Next, go on the side of a large hill and you will see a tower. We don't know what is beyond there, so I recommend you check somewhere first before you keep going. It was sad that we couldn't go further, but it was amazing how challenging it was compared to the easy loop.

Our stopping point:


One of the hardest parts of the hike:

Diamond Valley

Hiking date: November 29 2015
Location: Hemet
Rate: easy


Diamond Valley is a great hike that goes all the way around the lake. You start by driving down into the valley and stop at the tollbooth. The cost is $9 per car and $2 per person. go west and go up and wide path and turn and go around a few half oval shapes for the rest of the time. There is about three benches and a lot of porta potties. The views are beautiful and we thought it was a great hike.

Our stopping point:


San Jacinto peak from the valley:

Massacre trail

Hiking date: November 28 2015
Location: Near San Jacinto CA
Rate: Hard-Very hard (I guessed)  

The Massacre trail is a trail that leads through the Badlands. It is not a safe hike due to narrow paths and loose gravel. You start a little ways off the 79. Head north and you will see a bunch of vandalism and a few pumpkins which have been shot. Next, go past a vandalized rock building and then a another trail goes the opposite direction. You can keep going on the path or go up the other path, which is the risky way. Head up the risky path and you will see some tall grass. You can head south and go back to where you started, or you can go north and go on. For the first part, the trail is nice and wide, but as you keep going, the trail gets really narrow. So one side is a tall slope and the other leads down to the canyon where the other trail is. It is actually good training for the trail Devils Backbone. We stopped and turned around and did the trail, "Diamond Valley" instead.

The parking lot:



One of the steep slopes:

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Wildwood #2

Hiking date: June 19 2015
Location: Near Yucaipa CA
Rate: hard
Wildwood actually expands a lot more then we thought. We actually were planning to do Momyer trail, but that was when the 31,359 acre Lake fire started (which was close to Momyer), so we did this instead. You start 2/3 of the way through Wildwood #1, only make a right this time. Head toward a hill and go up it. It will have a lot of brush. As you make a bend, it will clear up. Go north on a ridge and go up a steep and small hill. Than go east for about 20 minutes to reach the top. By the way, about half of that time is steep. It was challenging but fun. Sorry that the pictures are blurry.

Our way to keep cool:



Toward the end of the hike:

Friday, November 27, 2015

Mt Baldy Loop

Hiking date: July 17 2015
Location: Mt. Baldy CA
Rate: hard


Mt. Baldy Loop is one of the many trails that goes up to Mt. Baldy. It is one out out of four of the major peaks in Southern California. You park at Manker flats and should see a few porta potties. You actually start at San Antonio Falls. Head up a paved road for about five minutes and you can see the gentle San Antonio falls. Next, head up a dirt road and keep a sharp eye out for a narrow path that goes the opposite direction. Make a curve and head up the side of a canyon for about 30 minutes. Go North and the trail goes all sorts of directions. Pass a few creeks and do several switchbacks and reach a ski hut. Then go another two hours to reach the summit. It was warm but great. 


At the ski hut:



Cameron on a slope:

 

Plunge creek truck trail

Hiking date: October 10 2015
Location: Highland CA
Rate: easy

The Plunge Creek Truck Trail is a hike that starts in Highland and goes to the 330. You go to a cul-d-sac and you will see a path. Turn left and go up a paved road until you reach a water tower. Then keep going and go on the side of a small meadow for about 10 minutes. Cross the meadow and see the two humped San Bernardino peaks. Then go up several switchbacks and head west to a service tower. Then head 1 and 1/2 hours further reach the 330. Be sure to have a shuttle waiting to pick you up. It was easy but fantastic.


Ready to go







At the service tower

Murray Hill (east flank)



Hiking date: November 8 2015
Location: Palm Desert CA
Rate: hard 

Hi! My name is Cameron. I LOVE to hike. I have done so many of them that I just can't help doing this. This is a blog of the hikes that I do. And I will be adding more all the time.

In late October, we went on The Murray Hill Trail for the second time. This time we did the east side of the peak. You start off at a store, then head up a path and turn left and come to a junction.Then, turn left and climb up a path that gets steeper the higher you get. Keep going and you will find a bunch of little trails. Turn left on a wide one and keep going. As you keep going, you will run into a canyon and pass an area called Jane's Hoffbrau Oasis. Then, keep going until you reach the, "Clara Burgess trail". Keep going until you reach the peak. It took us 5 hours but it was a good hike. You can click here to see a video of us reaching the peak.

Taking a break 

Here is a video of us reaching the summit