Hikes

Caltech is located just south of the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, where you can find some beautiful day hikes. Within an hour or two east, find yourself at the base San Bernardino, San Gorgonio, or San Jacinto peaks, the highest mountains in Southern California, or head west toward the Santa Monica mountains for lower elevation and ocean views. Feeling adventurous? Pack the car and head to the Sierras for some breathtaking views and make it a weekend. Here are few of our favorite hikes to get you started.

Local (San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest)

Go early in the morning during summer as the San Gabes offer little to no shade. You can avoid crowded trailheads on the weekends by checking out lesser known truck trails off Hwy 2.)

• Eaton Canyon (3.5 mi, flat, currently by reservation due to COVID 19)
• Echo Mountain (5.4 mi, 1400 ft gain), continue on to Inspiration Point (10.7 mi, 2740 ft gain)
• Dawn Mine/Sunset Ridge Loop (6.0 mi loop, 1600 ft gain)
• Brown Mountain Dam and waterfall (8.4 mi, 656 ft of gain. Can shorten this by ~1 mi by parking at the JPL east entrance. Popular on hot days, since there is more shade than most hikes and plentiful creek crossings. Many wildflowers in the spring!)
• Mount Lukens (11.4 mi, 2211 ft gain. Almost all wide fire roads, good for social distancing)
• Switzer Falls (3.6 mi, 695 ft gain. Great for hot days as there is shade and a creek. Can be busy, so try an early morning or a week day!)
• Josephine Peak (8.3 mi, 1843 ft. Wide fire roads the whole way. Great views of Los Angeles and the San Gabes)
• Strawberry Peak (7.2 mi, 1800 ft gain. There is also an ambitious, class 3 mountaineers route and 10.8mi loop for Strawberry Peak. It's an awesome adventure! If you want to try it, we recommend that you go with someone who has done this route before)
• Mount Wilson (13.6 mi, 4739 ft gain. Visit the classic Mt. Wilson Observatory on foot! There are many trails up to Mt Wilson, this is just our favorite)
• Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon Trail ( San Bernardino Mountains, 12 or 14 mi options, 4000 ft gain)
• Mt. Badly (Mt. San Antonio) (10.2 mi loop or 7 mi out and back, 3900 ft gain)

Logistics in the Angeles National forest:

• Parking at developed trailheads in the National Forest requires an Adventure Pass. Check if your starting location needs a pass, here.
• Most of these hikes (except those that specifically go to a waterfall!) will not have places to refill water along the way. Come prepared, and always treat or filter your water if you do refill from streams!

Southern California

Higher elevations out east make for great summer hiking, but watch for snow and ice as temperatures drop. The Santa Monica range stays more temperate year round.

• Los Liones (Santa Monica Mountains, 4.4 mi and 1190 ft gain)
• Heart Rock Trail (Crestline, San Bernardino Mountains. 1.7 mi, 285 ft of gain. Shaded, short, and sweet!)
• Cougar Crest Trail (Big Bear, San Bernardino Mountains, 5.3 mi and 898 ft of gain. Nice views of Big Bear Lake!)
• San Bernardino Peak (San Bernardino Mountains, 16.9 mi and 4721 ft gain. Requires free day use permit)
• San Gorgonio Peak (San Bernardino Mountains, 19 mi, 5492 ft gain. Requires free day use permit)
• Mt. San Jacinto (San Jacinto Mountains, requires free day use permit, pick up at Ranger station in Idyllwild or Long Valley near the top of the tram. Many route options.Shortest option is 10.5 mi and involves a fun, historic tram ride from Palm Desert. Long or overnight 18.5 mi option from Idyllwild. Medium-long (but steeper!) 14 mi option from Marion Mountain campground.)
• Joshua Tree National Park (Ryan Mountain and Lost Horse Mine are fun options, and there are many more on the NPS website)

North of Angeles Nat'l Forest

The Sierras offer the most epic views and highest altitudes around. There's a plethora of hiking available in the National Forests and Parks. Trails in the Sierras are usually clear of snow from the mid-elevations around early-mid June, depending on the year. High passes may still have some snow through late summer. Checkout what permits are available if you plan to overnight. Basic backpacking gear can be rented for pretty low cost from the Caltech Y.

• Beginner backpacking trips or day hikes: check out Cottonwood Lakes from Horseshoe Meadows or Gem Lakes from Mosquito Flats trailhead. Bear-resistant food storage containers are required for camping in these areas (can be rented or borrowed).
• North to South Lake loop (55 mi point-to-point, requires a car shuttle. From the North Lake trailhead, hike along Piute creek, join the John Muir Trail over Muir Pass, andover Bishop Pass to end at South Lake.
• Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon National Park showcases some classic spectacular Sierra views. The whole loop is 41 miles, and often done in 3-4 days.
• White Mountain (15.2 mi, 3448 ft. At over 14,000 ft elevation, White Mountain is certainly a big one! May require slightly high clearance to reach the trailhead)
• Big Pine Lakes Trail (~ an 8mi round trip to the first lake, and more if you choose! Amazing views of Mt Alice, Mt Agassiz, and the Pallisade Crest. Options for backpacking and day hiking. Who doesn't like a mountain called Cloudripper?)
• Kearsarge Lakes from Onion Valley (11 mi, 3474 ft of gain. The steep start will be rewarded with great views.)
• Mount Langley: The less busy little sister to Mt. Whitney. At 14,042 ft, what's not to like? (23 mi, 4688 ft gain)
• Mount Whitney: the 14,505 ft behemoth, the classic, highest peak in the lower 48 states. (22.5 mi round trip, 6656 ft of gain. Permits required for day use and overnight trips, awarded yearly via lottery in February-March)

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Check out hiking project to see more trail options and build your own route!