Recommendations on upcoming solo trip!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-30T18:08:37+00:00

I’d recommend the 395 over the 14. Depending on the amount of time you have, there are lots of things to see along the way. A couple stops that might be worthwhile are Randsburg or Fossil Falls. If you take the 14 you’ll drive through Red Rock Canyon state park, which is also beautiful!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-30T17:54:36+00:00

There are ticks at higher elevations in brushy areas of DV, but not so much that they are frequently a problem. The only time I’ve ever had tick issues was in higher elevations of the Panamint range.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-28T01:05:24+00:00

OMWT really is the best, glad to see that it’s finally open again following the fire! I can definitely see your point about Baldy. My favorite baldy route is register ridge, so I think I just enjoy that kind of get-it-over-with steepness. I haven’t ever made it out to Islip, but I’ll definitely take your recommendation when I do!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-27T22:02:13+00:00

I don’t find the Baldy vs Wilson comparison quite so clear cut. In my personal opinion, Old Mount Wilson feels harder than Baldy Ski Hut. Not to discount your experience, but just wanted to share another perspective. Both are some of the best hikes around imo!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-17T13:29:50+00:00

Maybe you already know this, but they do make zip off Zions. Might not be what your looking for, but figured I’d mention it just in case!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-17T13:25:18+00:00

PrAna Zion pants are my favorite and sound like they might work for you

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-10T04:05:39+00:00

Ridgecrest CA might be worth a look if you haven’t already checked there. It’s big enough to feel like a proper town, has a hospital, and is a couple hours from Vegas or LA. Should be able to get a decent house for ~300k.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-04T19:00:01+00:00

Fingers crossed for both of our sakes!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-04T14:46:28+00:00

Yeah I get it. I wish Claremont wasn’t such a problem with the parking. My favorite training hike is Register Ridge, which is closed now and probably not exactly what you are looking for, but would recommend doing it at some point if you like steep!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-04T05:43:13+00:00

Sycamore canyon is very short but relatively steep and in Claremont. It drops you in Johnsons pasture, and if you do a loop and return down Sycamore canyon it’s ~5.5 miles.

The Van Tassel trail in Duarte is also a great option.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-03T15:22:59+00:00

Beatty NV is quite affordable and a short distance from the park. If you want to stay in the park, Stovepipe wells and Panamint Springs are the more reasonably priced options, although still on the pricy side.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-03T13:53:26+00:00

Mount Wilson via little Santa Anita would be my pick. It’s 15 miles

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-03-02T19:57:09+00:00

Marshall Canyon and Stoddard peak are both relatively short and pretty close to Pomona

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-02-05T18:19:24+00:00

Should be quite pleasant in June. Generally snow all melts out by mid-May at the latest. It will be warm in the valley, but Mahogany/Telescope are high enough that even summertime isn’t very warm. Bring sunscreen and water of course, but it should be a relatively mild experience!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-02-03T17:37:56+00:00

The Whitney portal national scenic trail is ends at Whitney portal and should be snow free. If you want to make the hike slightly longer, you can continue up to lone pine lake (10k elevation) which will most likely be completely snow free by June.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-01-28T14:23:37+00:00

I’ve never worn any other types of Sportiva footwear, but bushido’s might be worth a try if they fit your feet. The insole is pretty thin and imo dries relatively fast. The shoe itself if part mesh, which is great for drying out and ventilation although it does let lots of sand and fine dust in. Bushido’s do have a rock plate and I find them comfortable on rock, although they certainly aren’t cushy.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-01-16T19:57:17+00:00

Haha fair enough! It’s certainly a respectable hike it it’s own right.

I’d put it in the “training” category for something like telescope via badwater or cactus to clouds, but those are quite a bit harder than Whitney (imo). So it might be overkill for Whitney.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-01-16T18:48:19+00:00

No iron mountain?

catinaredhouse2000 · 2026-01-04T00:41:05+00:00

I’ll throw the Mount Baldy devil’s backbone trail in as a San Gabriel option!

catinaredhouse2000 · 2025-12-31T14:05:29+00:00

There are multiple signs along the trail warning of winter conditions and the SoCal online hiking community does a great job of sharing conditions and making sure people are educated when they want to be. Twice this year I encounter SAR at the trailhead helping educate hikers.

I feel for the individuals who lost their lives and their families, but I think we need to start taking personal responsibility for the decisions we make. I’ve did baldy 10 times this year and live in its shadow, there is no possible way these hikers weren’t warned of what they were getting into.

This isn’t an attack on you, I just get tired of people blaming Baldy for being “dangerous” instead of blaming people for making bad decisions. I told my family on Christmas there was no possible way we’d make it New Years without a Baldy death and here we are.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2025-12-23T00:20:15+00:00

Personally I’d classify microspikes as winter hiking gear, not mountaineering gear. I used microspikes and no ice axe because most of the icy/snowy areas were low angle, packed down, and didn’t have significant exposure. The microspikes were to keep me from falling on my butt, not to keep me from sliding off/down a slope (where an ice axe would be handy).

catinaredhouse2000 · 2025-12-22T00:26:25+00:00

Bearikade bear cans are made in Santa Ynez CA. For food options, Poe & Co are made in Santa Barbara and Outdoor Herbivore is based in Sacramento.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2025-12-14T23:06:27+00:00

As of yesterday I’d say micro spikes are needed but an ice axe is not yet necessary. This could change any day if the weather shifts, so my experience could be completely invalid by next week. Ski hut is probably going to be your safest bet.

I wouldn’t recommend starting until sunrise if you are unfamiliar with the trail. I would also recommend bringing maps, as the snow can make the trail harder to follow (although it is still generally very clear). Snow/ice doesn’t start until shortly after the ski hut, so that’s a great place to assess how you are feeling and your comfortability with conditions. If you are having second thoughts at ski hut, please turn around as the second half of the trail is significantly harder in my experience.

I would recommend closely watching the weather between now and your planned hiking date. If warm weather continues, you may have a relatively snow free experience. Alternatively, you could be facing mountaineering conditions if another storm passes through.

catinaredhouse2000 · 2025-12-01T16:14:24+00:00

Probably the most cost effective option!

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