101 Hikes in Southern California: Exploring Mountains, Seashore, and Desert
David Money Harris
Language: English
Pages: 288
ISBN: 0899977162
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
and several of the more attractive chaparral shrubs: toyon, holly-leaf cherry, manzanita, and red shanks (a.k.a. ribbonwood), which is identified by its wispy foliage and perpetually peeling, rust-colored bark. You’ll also pass several small bay trees. After about a half hour on the Mishe Mokwa Trail, keep an eye out for an amazing balanced rock that rests precariously on the opposite wall of the canyon that lies just below you. By 1.7 miles from the start you will have worked your way around to
riders, although not at all hard for hikers. The lower end consists of remnants of an old road built as far up the canyon as the Oak Wilde resort (now Oakwilde Campground) in the 1920s. Several rest stops and picnic sites line the trail’s lower half, making this a great route for a leisurely saunter. Most of these stops are located on the sites of early tourist camps or cabins erected in the early 1900s. Virtually all the structures were either destroyed by flooding in 1938 or removed through
lies on the grounds of the long-demolished Cobb Estate, at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Loma Alta Drive in Altadena. Take the Lake Avenue exit from east- or west- bound I-210 in Pasadena, and drive about 3 miles north to where Lake Avenue turns left (west) and becomes Loma Alta Drive. Park on the street (no Adventure Pass needed). Description: Walk east past the stone pillars at the Cobb Estate entrance and continue 150 yards on a narrow, blacktop driveway. The driveway bends left, but
up-to-date. Roads, trailheads, and trails can and do change every year, however. You can keep me apprised of recent developments and/or changes by writing me in care of Wilderness Press, or e-mailing me at schadj@worldnet.att.net. Your comments will be appreciated. Jerry Schad La Mesa, California December 2004 Lower Big Morongo Canyon (Hike 41) Contents Preface Key Map Southern California’s Wilderness Rim Health, Safety and Courtesy Using This Book 101 Hikes… 1 Paradise Falls
peak. (The trail to the left descends sharply to Los Caballos equestrian camp. It could be used as an alternate longer, looping route on your way back.) Soon you arrive at the base of the granite cap that crowns the peak. The trail veers right onto that rock, and goes up some rough steps (with guardrail) to the top. Small children may need assistance on this last airy segment. Dandelion The main Cuyamaca massif stands taller in the west, blocking views of the coastline, but the foreground