Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point (IN SNOW!), Angeles National Forest

Class: 1

Mileage: Approx 9.5 miles

Elevation: 4,714’

Gain/Loss: Approx 3,000’

They say: Moderate/Strenuous

We say: WHOA!

What it is: I just posted this hike. But seeing as how this has become our Sunday ritual, I had to post again because we were gifted an AMAZING version of this hike thanks to an intense storm that dumped snow down to nearly 2,000 feet! The trail looked completely new (despite the many, many times we’ve done this hike) and very wonderland-ish. We were stunned, and thrilled, and so were the dogs. However, after lots of bushwhacking fallen trees, the novelty wore off. Nonetheless, it was a magical day, and brought about much more inspiration than usual.

Please DO: This hike after a gnarly early spring storm.

Please DON’T: Wear shoes that aren’t waterproof if you do this after said storm.

What you need to bring: Waterproof boots, and probably a saw to cut down the millions of trees that give way under the heavy snow.

What you want to bring: A camera.

How to get there: Take the 210 and exit Lake Ave. Go left on Lake and take it all the way until it ends. Park here. Head up the obvious trail at the end of the street.

The Devil’s Chair, Angeles National Forest

Class: 1

Mileage: Approx 7.5 miles

Elevation: Unsure

Gain/Loss: Approx 1,000

They say: Moderate

We say: Actually really easy.

What it is: We had planned a backpacking trip to the Superstition Mountains, but yet another storm blew in that promised high winds, rain and snow. Since I was sick, and the Supes are a good 7 hour drive, and we weren’t to sure we wanted to drive into a sandstorm, we stayed home. In order to curb our disappointment (and to coddle my illness which was on the verge of laying me out of I didn’t rest) I decided to take the Sherpa and Adventure Dog on a traipse through the snow on the other side of the San Gabriels. The terrain was lovely and of course, covered with a heavy layer of snow. We hiked in our waterproof boots (snowshoes are recommended but Jonnie and I both have strong opinions about walking around on giant palates of metal and plastic) and Lhotse hiked barefoot. We made snow angels along the way, and Lhotse ate snow. I haven’t done this hike sans snow, but I hear the rock bands in the area are notable. All in all, it’s a fun hike any time of year, especially during a “staycation”.

Please DO: This hike, at some point. It’s really nice.

Please DON’T: Walk the trail for Devil’s Punchbowl after rain – it makes for a gnarly mudbath. Like walking in pudding.

What you need to bring: Waterproof boots and maybe trekking poles if you refuse to wear snowshoes.

What you want to bring: Cash to buy burritos in town after.

How to get there: Take Highway 14, exit at State Route 138 (Palmdale Blvd) heading East. Following the SR 138 signs, turn right at 47th St. E, which will then bear left and turn into Fort Tejon Rd, and then left again, becoming Pearlblossom Hwy. After approx 16.6 miles, turn right at Longview Road (County Road N6). After 2.2 miles, turn left at Fort Tejon Rd., then .3 miles go right onto Longview Rd. In 2.3 miles, turn left at the sign onto Tumbleweed Rd, which will bear right onto Devil’s Punchbowl Rd. The road will end at the parking lot for the park.

Jones Peak, Angeles National Forest

Class: 1

Mileage: 6.6 miles

Elevation: 3,375’

Gain/Loss: 2,275’

They say: Moderate

We say: Yep

What it is: A good Sunday hike when you have limited time to make your doggy tired. The gain in this short hike is good enough for a quick workout, and it’s a lot less busy than the other low-lying summits in the area. This hike starts at Bailey Canyon and continues for a short way, through the park, and then through a turnstile to a road. Follow the road up until you see the trail begin on your left. Follow the trail up (passing a footbridge to your right at the start) through grasses and chaparral. Though narrow, the trail is clear which works well for doggies. Halfway up to the peak you cross through a shaded area with a lookout point and a small spring-fed stream. We did this on a VERY HOT day and the stream provided a nice refreshing break for Adventure Dog who spent about 15 mins cooling down in the water. Head to the top, then come back the way you came.

Please DO: This.

Please DON’T: Do this in hot weather.

What you need to bring: Layers, sunglasses, a hat, and probably more water than you expected if the sun is out.

What you want to bring: A snack.

How to get there: From the 210 Freeway, exit at Santa Anita Ave. and go north. Turn left (west) on Grand View. Continue several blocks to Grove. Turn right (north) onto Grove and drive directly into the Bailey Canyon/Grove Park parking lot. There is a gate at the entrance to the park open “from dawn to dusk.” If you get there before the gate is open, there is parking along adjacent residential streets.

Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point, Angeles National Forest

Class: 1

Mileage: Approx 9.5 miles

Elevation: 4,714’

Gain/Loss: Approx 3,000’

They say: Moderate/Strenuous

We say: If you’re 10 years old, yes.

What it is: Fun quick hike up to an amazing lookout point in Los Angeles to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This hike starts at the end of Lake Ave and winds its way up a pretty sandstone studded trail, to the top of Echo Mtn. Here you can continue on to many places in the front country. We decided to head up to Inspiration Point, which provided amazing views on a clear morning. Then we circled around and took another trail, back. The trail up was Sam Merrill Trail, the trail back was another trail that I can’t mention because of a lot of discrepancies regarding whether it is actually “open” or not. We hiked this with dogs and 10 year old Julia, who rocked this trail harder than Taylor Swift was rocking on her ipod headphones. It was fun and pretty, you should do it.

Please DO: This hike on a clear day, the views are awesome.

Please DON’T: Do this too late in the day, because even by noon, the trail was HOT and really exposed to the sun.

What you need to bring: Homemade gingerbread cookies, like the ones Julia made us.

What you want to bring: Sunblock.

How to get there: Take the 210 and exit Lake Ave. Go left on Lake and take it all the way until it ends. Park here. Head up the obvious trail at the end of the street.