THE FIELD GUIDE
Eight detailed starting points across coast, canyon, desert, and high-mountain terrain. Choose a route here, then confirm current conditions with the linked land manager.
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Photo: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area / NPS · Public domainCoastal mountain · Santa Monica Mountains
A high-value Santa Monica Mountains loop linking Split Rock, Balanced Rock, the Backbone Trail, and the range's 3,111-foot high point.
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Photo: Thorsten Trotzenberg · CC BY 2.0River canyon · San Gabriel Mountains
A long canyon day with repeated river crossings, rugged route-finding, and an abandoned 1930s bridge deep in the East Fork.
Photo: Skouyoum · CC0 1.0Alpine summit · San Gabriel Mountains
A demanding climb to 10,064-foot Mount San Antonio, using the broad Notch approach and an exposed ridge above the Los Angeles basin.
Photo: Norbert Nagel · CC BY-SA 4.0Coastal canyon · Orange County Coast
A customizable coastal loop through sage-covered canyon and open ridges, with a Pacific finish across from the trailhead.
Photo: Hpolaris · CC BY-SA 4.0Granite peak · San Diego County
A steep, sun-exposed climb from Lake Poway to Mount Woodson's famous granite ledge and broad inland San Diego views.
Photo: Alison Taggart-Barone / NPS · NPS imageHigh desert summit · Joshua Tree
A short but relentless desert climb to a 360-degree view across the Wonderland of Rocks, Queen Valley, and Southern California's highest peaks.
Photo: Z3lvs · CC0 1.0High mountain forest · San Jacinto Mountains
A tram-assisted but still demanding climb from 8,400-foot Long Valley to the 10,834-foot summit above Palm Springs.
Photo: Alan Vernon · CC BY 2.0Desert canyon · Anza-Borrego
A rocky wash climbs toward a native California fan-palm oasis beneath the walls of one of the state's largest desert parks.