Picture update

I have decided to improve the pictures on my blog. You may have noticed that the pictures seem a bit larger. Also, starting now, I am going to start posting more pictures than usual. Hope you like it!

Ladder Canyon

Hiking date: February 20 2016

Location: Mecca Hills CA

Rate: normal

What a hike! Today, we went far out, past Indio, into the chocolate mountains near Mecca to hike Ladder Canyon. Try to go on a weekend when it is crowded because robbers could break open windows to steal, even if there is nothing in there. You start out walking on a wide dirt road. Notice the huge granite rocks that surround you. Look for the trail marker and go left. It is a little like the Museum trail, only a lot more rocks. Soon, you will reach three ladders, the second being a little scary for kids. Then, go through a crevice in the canyon and reach a another ladder. Then hike up to the top of the ridge. It was defiantly a favorite. These pictures are so cool that I have to make them bigger

One of the many narrow parts of the trail:

Climbing a ladder:

Ooh I can't help doing more pictures!

Crafton hills

Hiking date:  February 7 2016

Location:  Yucaipa CA

 Rate:  Normal

For this hike, we thought we should do a moderate hike. Considering Kelly’s  back and  since John just got back from a missionary trip in Florida for a week. We hiked from the soccer fields  in Yucaipa to Zanja Peak, the high point of Crafton Hills.  You start out at the soccer fields in Yucaipa.  Then hike up some foothills and go by some private property. Next, start hiking up the ridge and turn right. Go over a bunch of foothills, one having  a 45° degree slope. Finally, we reached Zanja peak, noticing a Frisbee shaped mark of the summit. Remember to come down the way you came, only take the left path as soon as you see it. At one point you will reach the private property that you passed on the way up. We thought it was fun to reach another summit.

one of the many bumps on the trail:

enjoying the time:

So far, my hiking career has been great. I will never stop hiking!

North Lykken

Hiking date: January 1 2016 

Location: Palm Springs CA

Rate: normal

First hike of 2016! Kendall, my sister, wants to start hiking like us. So we took her on North Lykken. The trail starts off at a wide dirt road. See a trail that veers off to the left, which is the North Lykken trail. You start off switch backing up the hillside. Next, the trail enters a meadow of rocks and then goes along the mountain. As you ascend, notice two signs, both saying, "Don't veer off the trail". That is true, because once on Cactus To Clouds, we got lost on this trail. But a runner told us that we were on this trail. Make a bend, and see a sign that indicates the Museum/Skyline trail. At this point, you have gone half of the trail. We haven't been beyond there, but still, We thought this was fun.

Hard to believe that Kendall is on Cactus to Clouds:

Looking at view:

Skyline #4

Hiking date: December 30 2015

Location: Palm Springs CA

Rate: Hard

After all this time, Cactus to Clouds is here once more! We didn't go much further this time, but we reached our goal, the first rescue box (see below). But at the painted rocks, we veered off the trail. To make things worse, once we got back on the trail, a lady told us we were on the North Lykken trail. So we hiked back to the painted rocks and continued up. About two hours later, we reached the first rescue box (see below for details). As we went up, we entered a shaded part. It is VERY steep at some points and is also the point we stopped. Our el. was 3003 feet. It was a very good hike.

One of the painted rocks:

Our goal: the first rescue box

Note: the first rescue box is one of of the two boxes that can save someones LIFE. People try to make it to the top and realize that they can't make it. But once they start coming down, it gets too hot and hard to keep hiking. And that's when the rescue boxes come in. When they reach a height of 5400 or 2100 feet (the elevation of the rescue boxes), they are saved! Here are a couple pictures of the rescue box

Clear view of the first rescue box:

Inside the first rescue box:

easy hikes

Easy hikes are hikes that we can do with friends, family, and other people. I am going to list the hikes:

Oak glen
Forest falls

1. Oak Glen

Hiking date: February 5 2013 

Location: Oak glen CA

Rate: easy

Oak Glen is a enjoyable hike that is good for kids. You start off at the little buildings in Los Rios Ranch. Walk over to the parking lot and see the trail. As you hike, notice some small buildings such as a little building, a building that has some pictures of wildlife, and eventually, a fire hose. Turn left and go across a bridge and you might see a pond. Turn left and go down a shaded path for a while. You'll come across a another pond and go down. Go through some big trees and reach a picnic table. This is a good place to stop and have a picnic lunch. Then go up the trail and see some stair like logs. Go up the trail, make one switchback and enter a meadow. After you leave the meadow, go north on a road to get back to your car. It is a good and fun hike.

Sitting on a bench

Building a dam:

2. Forest Falls

Hiking date: February 9 2012 
Location: Forest Falls CA
Rate: easy

I haven't been on this trail in a long time so I am going to tell you what we did there. The trail was really nice because it was pretty and peaceful. I got a bloody knee, ate a snack, and more.

Sitting on a log

Hiking gear

A few of you are probably wondering what type of stuff I do these hikes with. So I will tell you!

I hike with a Camelbak, (a type of backpack that has tube that supplies water)

 

a compass,

a flashlight,

 a first aid kit, 

an altimeter,

enough water,

and much more, it is good to be prepared.