Day & Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California

Product Description Discover the best PCT sections for a day hike or weekend jauntThe 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail traverses the ?high road? from Mexico to Canada through three states. In this Southern California guide, local David Money Harris describes 31 day hikes and overnight treks on the PCT near San Diego; in the San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel Mountains; and in the southern Sierra Nevada.Enjoy sweeping vistas, outstanding wildflowers, rugged ridges, and much more. Hikes range from a 4-mile adventure with amazing views of the Anza-Borrego Desert to a 35-mile trek following the headwaters of the Mojave River through the San Bernardino Mountains down to a remote hot spring.This handy guide includes:trail maps and elevation profilesratings for scenery, trail condition, difficulty, solitude, and accessibility for childrendriving directions to trailheads and GPS waypoints for key locationspermit and fee informationdetails about what to expect on the trail Review The PCT is on the bucket list of almost every through hiker in the planet. and this book contains the information all hikers need at the Southern end (Southern California) --gilberto d'Urso, Mountain N' Air Books About the Author David Money Harris has been roaming the California mountains since he was but a wee tot in his father's backpack. Later, he fell in love with the Sierra Nevada on Boy Scout backpacking trips and as a leader in the Sierra Club's Peak Climbing Section. During the past twelve years, he has been exploring the amazingly diverse mountains of Southern California. For much of the past six years, his own three sons have been riding along on these adventures. David teaches Engineering at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. He is also the coauthor of "Afoot and Afield Inland Empire" and "San Bernardino Mountain Trails." Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Combs PeakScenery: ***Children: ***Difficulty: **Solitude: ****Distance: 5 miles (out-and-back)Elevation Gain: 1,200'Hiking Time: 3 hours (possible overnight camp)Best Times: October-MayTom Harrison Map: San Diego BackcountryUSFS PCT Map: Volume 1Outstanding Features: Remoteness and viewsLaced with a web of trails, Laguna Mountain National Recreation Area in Cleveland National Forest is a playground for San Diego-area outdoor lovers. Perched atop a mile-high ridge, the trails are usually enjoyable year-round, although they may be hot in midsummer or icy after a winter storm. This popular hike combines the Noble Canyon and Indian Creek Trails with the PCT to form an appealing loop through many different ecosystems. The area was devastated by fire in 2002 and 2003, but this hike remains enjoyable.This trip starts on the west side of Sunrise Highway at the Penny Pines Trailhead. The trailhead is named for the Penny Pines program, started in California in 1941, in which private donations are raised for planting new trees in burned-over areas. Be sure you are on the right trail; several others start in the same area. Follow the signed Noble Canyon Trail west. The Noble Canyon Trail is popular with mountain bikers, who consider the lower segment to be one of the technical classics of Southern California. However, the gentle upper segment meanders through a forest of oak and pine.Stay right at a fork in 0.1 mile. The trail soon reaches the edge of a vast burn area. In hot, dry, and windy October 2003, much of Southern California was aflame; it was the worst firestorm in recorded state history. The Cedar Fire was started by a lost hunter who lit a fire to signal rescuers. The blaze was driven by fierce Santa Ana winds and firefighters were stretched thin by fourteen other major fires burning at the same time. The Cedar Fire soon grew to consume 280,278 acres, killing 15 people and destroying 2,232 homes. The Laguna Mountains were one of the casualties of the fire. The trail leads through ribbonwood and other chaparral that is recovering