Synopses & Reviews
Lace up your boots and sample sixty of the best trails southern California has to offer. Experience the area¿s most scenic high-mountain landscape from 11,499-foot San Gorgonio Mountain, explore the world¿s largest Joshua tree woodland in Mojave National Preserve, and discover the fascinating geology of Natural Bridge Canyon in Death Valley National Park.
Southern California offers hikers diverse coastal, inland, and desert mountains; serpentine canyons, colorful badlands, and vast sand dunes; and cool conifer forests, isolated mesas, and dense cactus stands. Veteran hiker and outdoor writer Ron Adkison will introduce you to all this and more.
Inside you¿ll find: up-to-date trail information; accurate maps and elevation profiles; difficulty ratings for each hike; advice on water availability and the best seasons for each trail; tips on equipment, trip planning, and hiking with dogs and children
Whether you are a day-tripper or long-distance hiker, old hand or novice, you¿ll find trails suited to every ability and interest throughout southern California.
Synopsis
Boasting a mild climate, incredible diversity, and thousands of miles of hiking trails, Southern California offers a gem for every hiker.
Hiking Southern California is your ticket to rewarding adventures in the backcountry of the southern third of the Golden State, including Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, the San Gabriel Mountains, and Joshua Tree National Park. This handy guidebook features detailed descriptions of more than 50 classic hikes, with accurate and up-to-date trail maps and all the information you need for planning enjoyable outings year-round. This book describes short, leisurely strolls and demanding excursions of several days. The hikes follow routes varying from gentle, well-graded trails to rugged, cross-country scrambles, including old favorites known to many and obscure routes known only to a few. Surveying the most awe-inspiring scenery in the region,
Hiking Southern California will satisfy both beginning and veteran hikers.
Synopsis
Hiking Southern California details 60 hikes throughout Southern California, including the southern Los Padres National Forest, the Angeles and San Bernardino national forests, Cleveland National Forest, part of Anza-Borrego State Park, Mount San Jacinto Wilderness State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Death Valley National Park.
About the Author
Ron Adkison, a dedicated naturalist and explorer of wild country, began his outdoor explorations in Southern California at the age of six. After more than 35 years of hiking, scrambling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, he has logged more than 10,000 trail miles in ten western states (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah). He has walked every trail in this guide multiple times. Ron shares his enthusiasm for wild places in
Hiking Southern California.
Other guidebooks by Ron Adkison:
--Hiking Northern California
--Hiking Washington
--Exploring Beyond Yellowstone
--Hiking Wyoming's Wind River Range
--Hiking Grand Canyon National Park
--Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Canyon
--Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Glen Canyon Region
--Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Glen Canyon Region
--Hiking Northern California
--Best Easy Day Hikes Northern Sierra.
--Wild Northern California
--Best Easy Day Hikes Southern Sierra
--50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks.
--Utah's National Parks
Table of Contents
Introduction
Backcountry Rules and Wilderness Regulations
Zero Impact
Backcountry Hazards
Chapter 1: Death Valley National Park
Overview
Hikes 1-13
Chapter 2: Mojave National Preserve
Overview
Hikes 14-25
Chapter 3: The Mountainous Backbone Of Southern California
Overview
Hikes 26-51
Chapter 4: Joshua Tree National Park
Overview
Hikes 52-60
Appendix A: Contacts
Appendix B: Recommended Equipment for Wilderness Travel