150mph's USA hikes

This site has pictures, descriptions and maps of hiking and backpacking in California and the Western USA. I have a big backlog of trip reports that I upload as I get time, not necessarily in chronological order.


Los Angeles
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I love mountains, discovering new places and connecting with the natural world. (Fast motorcycles, too!) Whether I have a weekend to day hike or a whole week to explore, I follow the call of the wild to the most extraordinary and magical natural places I can find—to get outside, to enjoy this beautiful country, to capture some of that in pictures and relate my experiences in order to help others find their own perfect spot. I've hiked and explored all over the Western US, the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, and backpacked Europe from Greece to Norway, but the current scope of this collection of hikes is mostly mountain lands near my home in southern California and the West and Southwest USA. Many are surprised to discover that Los Angeles, ringed by tall peaks and ancient forests, offers more natural wonders to discover and explore close by or within a few hours drive than almost any other major US city.

Newest posted hike (Jan. 2015): Ediza and lakes of the Ritter Range
Please check back for other treks that I'm preparing for posting:
• Moab, UT, Canyonlands & ArchesNational Parks, July 2010
• TopaTopa Peak, Los Padres mountains, Ventura Cty. California, Apr. 1
• Death Valley Mar. 30-31
• Kings Canyon N.P: 3 days to Roaring River, May 23-25
• Mt. San Jacinto, 2nd highest peak in S. California, Jun 27-28
• Zion Nat. Pk., UT: Angels Landing & Observation Point trail, Sep. 5

Big Pine Lakes & Jigsaw Pass
4 days exploring a high Sierra basin surrounded by dramatic peaks and brilliantly colored lakes
Sierra Nevada, John Muir Wilderness, Inyo NF, Central California
Lake Basin
Sep. 24-27, 2014

Mt. Shasta
3 days summiting the 14,179' volcano via Avalanche Gulch
Cascade Range, Shasta Trinity NF, Northern California
Lake Basin
Jun. 6-8, 2014

Ediza and lakes of the Ritter Range
3 day cross-country loop exploring some remote high Sierra lakes
Sierra Nevada, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo NF, Central California
Lake Basin
Aug. 29-Aug 31, 2013

Lake Basin, Marion Lake
In search of the old John Muir Trail - a demanding trek into a hidden Sierra back range
Sierra Nevada, Kings Cyn. NP, Central California
Lake Basin
Aug. 25-31, 2012

Bench Lake via Taboose Pass
A tough climb to a magical and remote Sierra lake
Sierra Nevada, Inyo NF & Kings Cyn. NP, Central California
Bench Lake
September 2-4, 2011

Grand Canyon, Bright Angel canyon
South Rim to river via South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon
June 22-23, 2011

Buckskin Gulch & Paria Canyon
A 21 mile adventure through deep slot canyons and alien landscapes
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Utah & Arizona
Paria Canyon
June 18-19, 2011

Canyoneering in and around Zion National Park
5 days climbing in and out of southern Utah's sublime hidden canyons
Zion National Park, Utah and vicinity
Zion National Park
June 12-17, 2011

John Muir Trail
215 miles, 15 days south to north from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite
Sierra Nevada, Central California
1000 island lake
July 18-Aug. 1, 2010

Trans Catalina Trail
3 1/2 days across the length of California's most beautiful island
Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles county, California
Trans Catalina Trail
Apr. 13-16, 2010

The Great Western Divide
5 day loop through some of the most breathtaking terrain in the high Sierra
Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park, Central California
The Great Western Divide
Sep. 14-18, 2009

Clark Range, Vogelsang & Ireland Lake
A 92 mile, 6 day trek into the heart of Yosemite's most ruggedly remote terrain
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Central California
Clark Range, Vogelsang & Ireland Lake
Aug. 24-29, 2009

Rae Lakes Loop, Sixty Lakes, Forester Pass
6 days exploring a watery Sierra wonderland
Sierra Nevada, Kings Canyon National Park, Central California
Rae Lakes
Aug. 3-8, 2009

Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
3 days along a wilderness river full of spectacular waterfalls
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
July 16-19, 2009

Mt. Whitney
Climbing the highest peak in the lower 48 states
Sierra Nevada, Inyo National Forest, Central California
Mt. Whitney
July 3-4 2009

Yosemite Falls, Pohono Trail, 4 Mile Trail, Mist Trail
3 days of Yosemite Valley's most spectacular waterfalls and cliff-edge thrills
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
Yosemite Falls
June 11-14, 2009

San Gabriel Peak
One of the San Gabriel front ranges most distinctive peaks
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
San Gabriel Peak
April 5, 2009

Piedra Blanca & Gene Marshall trail
Massive white rock formations on a summit hike in Sespe Wilderness
Los Padres mountains / Ventura county
Piedra Blanca & Gene Marshall trail
March 22, 2009

Santa Paula Peak
A steep climb through an explosion of flowers above a lush, green valley
Los Padres mountains / Ventura county
Santa Paula Peak
March 8, 2009

Santa Susana Pass State Park
Exploring one of LA's most unique and undiscovered mountain parks
Simi Hills / Chatsworth, Los Angeles county
Santa Susana Pass State Park
February 14, 2009

Vasquez Rocks
A fault zone park full of chaotic, tortured rock formations
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
Vasquez Rocks
February 8, 2009

Devils Chair, Devils Punch Bowl
Gigantic rock formations and a precarious cliff edge perch where two faults meet
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
Devils Chair, Devils Punch Bowl
January 17, 2009

Top of Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign
Wraparound views of LA and the famous landmark up close
Santa Monica mountains / City of Los Angeles
Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign
January 11, 2009

Rocky Peak
Up a boulder-strewn mountain to a 360 degree viewpoint
Santa Susana mountains / Ventura county
Rocky Peak
January 4, 2009

San Gorgonio mountain
Spend the night atop the highest peak in Southern California (11,501 ft.)
San Bernardino mountains / San Bernardino county
San Gorgonio mountain
November 15-16, 2008

Mount San Antonio - aka Mt. Baldy
Climbing the highest mountain in Los Angeles county (10,064 ft.)
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
Mt. Baldy
November 8, 2008

Kern Lake and Little Kern Lake
15 mile overnight hike to a pair of wilderness lakes
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra / Central California
Kern Lake and Little Kern Lake
October 10-11 2008

Maggie Lakes, Frog Lake & Twin Lakes
11 mile overnighter to some pristine backcountry mountain lakes
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra / Central California
Maggie Lakes
September 27-28 2008

North Fork of the Kern River above Lake Isabella
10 mile overnight hike along a Wild & Scenic River
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra / Central California

Lake Isabella
September 12-14 2008

Yosemite & climbing Half Dome
Discover Yosemite south to north on a 3 day hike
Yosemite & climbing Half Dome
August 28-31, 2008

Sespe River over night
10 mile overnight hike into SoCals secret grand wilderness
Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
Sespe River over night
August 23-24, 2008

Matilija Creek over night
Hiking a deep and twisty mountain canyon to waterfalls and swim holes
Los Padres National Forest
Matilija Creek over night
August 16-17, 2008

Citadel Rock, Boney Mountain
Exploring an immense fortress rock above the Pacific Ocean
Santa Monica mountains, N. Malibu, Ventura County
Boney Mountain
August 8, 2008

Top of Malibu - Schueren Rd - Backbone Trail
Wraparound views via a short climb to one of Malibu's highest peaks
Santa Monica mountains
Top of Malibu
July 20, 2008

Yosemite National Park, Mist trail, Vernal & Nevada falls
3 days discovering the park for the first time
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
Yosemite National Park
July 10-12, 2008

Santa Paula Punch Bowl and water slides above
Return to one of the most awesome swimming holes in southern California
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
Santa Paula Punch Bowl
July 3, 2008

Matilija Falls
A challenging scramble up a deep canyon to a remote mountain waterfall
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
Matilija Falls
June 28, 2008

Santa Paula Punch Bowl
A 3 mile hike up a mountain creek to an amazing waterfall swim hole
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
Santa Paula Punch Bowl
June 22, 2008

Wildwood Park, Paradise Falls & Indian cave
Discovering geological wonders in a big wilderness park on the edge of town
Conejo Recreation & Park District, Thousand Oaks
Wildwood Park
June 15, 2008

The Grotto
A watery playground where a mountain stream has carved through giant boulders
Santa Monica mountains, Ventura County
The Grotto
June 1, 2008


Boney Mountain
Exploring rugged peaks high above the ocean
Santa Monica mountains, Ventura County
Boney Mountain
May 25, 2008

Red Rock park to Calabasas Peak
From one of LA's most hidden parks up to some epic rock formations
Santa Monica mountains, LA County
Red Rock park
May 8, 2008

 

Since Jan.09