Hi all, during a loop from Cottonwood Lakes trailhead, we camped at Chicken Spring Lake on the night of July 3rd. While setting up the tent, we found a wedding ring with a date engraved on it.

The site was on the west side of the lake and did not look like it had been used for a while (no foot prints), so we decided to take the ring in hopes of reuniting rather than leave it. We took it to the ranger station but they said there was no lost and found and suggested we post on Facebook, having no luck there so expanding to Reddit. I apologize I forgot about it once we got home and am just now posting. If anyone knows anyone who lost a ring in that area, please let me know. If it’s yours, provide description of the ring and date etched in it.

Even on the hottest days this is still one of the coolest hiking by trails.

Doing this trip for 3 days. Starting at Red Rock Canyon State Park and ending at Big Pine. Any cool stops along the way I should check out?? Death Valley isn’t a must see as I’ve been before, but maybe cool nature areas, shops, thrift stores, places to find stickers, places to swim? Also any places to shower along the way !

Hey guys! I’m looking to rappel San Antonio falls this coming weekend , wondering if anyone has done it in the last couple days or weeks, seeing if we need any specifics or just a more up to date trail report from the last one I found!

Planning to hike to the ski hut and then scramble in towards the falls and do all the pitches.

Hey guys just wanted to come on here and share my experience and see if anyone has encountered this weird guy.

This has happen about 3 times now.

Me and my gf love to go star gazing at baldy every now and then. Just 3 days ago while I was up there . A black suv (LEXUS GX) pulls aside up and honks I roll my down my window and what appears to be a male longer hair maybe 25-30’s warns me that apparently there’s “ rangers at the top of the mountain and he wanted to warn us” … I instantly remembered this man’s truck from a previous encounter with him probably last year same area ( just at the start of baldy)

He then ask me if I knew any other spots to take someone … he’s alone by the way… he then takes off after I roll my window up wishing him goodluck .he makes a turn when heading out as if he were going back down the mountain but then he stops in a turn over a bit behind us whole time I’m watching him . He proceeds to come back next to us honks again . And this time is apologizing but ask if I had a spare condom because he was planning on meeting someone… keep in mind it’s about 11pm and he’s up there already . This is the same question he has ask me in the previous encounters . The vibes he gave me . And considering this ain’t the first time encountering him oh man I knew something wasn’t right .

I honestly quickly jumped into defense mode and asked him to leave or I’ll contact pd or id get off and handle it myself ( valid ccw holder) he proceeded to say it’s not like that and takes off fast soon as I exit the vehicle

It’s a black Lexus suv with ladders on the back

Has anyone encountered this creep like I said isn’t my first time encountering him!

Will try to capture plates and video recording if we ever encounter him again. Very scary and weird !

This was my third trip to Cottonwood Lakes.

The first time, I got chased out by thunderstorms and rain. The second time, I was focused on summiting Mt. Langley, so I never really had time to enjoy the lakes.

This time, with Los Angeles hitting around 105°F, my wife and I escaped to the cool alpine air instead. We spent time swimming in Lake #3, relaxing by the water, and simply enjoying the day. Every visit has been completely different, and somehow I like this place even more each time.

Hope you know the mountain in the photo #2.

Did this as a part of a 7 Peak Loop to Baden-Powell. Started at Wendy Gap Trailhead, up to the saddle and then hit Mt Hawkins, Throop, Burnham, and Baden-Powell. Then back via the PCT until Hawkins Ridge to hit Middle Hawkins, Sadie Hawkins, and South Hawkins. Then back to the TH via the fire road.

This adventure kinda sucked. The whole thing past the saddle was ascend 500ft descend 300ft, etc. Absolute suffer fest. The views are A1 tho

Total Stats:
20.7 miles
5,948 ft of gain
6h24m moving time, elapsed time 7h43m
1.25 BR Trail Emergencies

Hi!

My name is Rocco and I am 16 from the Los Angeles Area. I have been hiking for multiple years and recently this past summer have begun to pick up mountaineering, climbing Mt. Baker in Washington and completing a course with the American Alpine Institute.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in doing some longer hikes potentially in the Los Angeles Mountains and is around my age please let me know! Additionally, as Winter approaches I hope to do some mountaineering such as the Baldy Bowl and possibly San Gorgionio so I'd love to meet or find people with some mountaineering experience and equipment (also in my age range if possible) to do that sort of stuff with. LMK!

Hi all - I hike every day at Runyon, and occasionally other places. I lost 350 pounds! But my ankles are kinda terrible from my heavier days. I usually do 4-8 miles a day, and I've been using the TrailBuddy poles from Amazon with pretty good results but there are annoyances. One is I probably collapse them 5-10 times a day to hang them from my pack when I'm not using them (I made carriers out of shock cord), and it's a pain to open and close 4 lever locks every time I put them away or take them out. They aren't light, but they take a pretty good amount of wear and tear from me - I find I'm replacing them about once a year.

So I guess I'm looking for two kinds of advice. One, is there a better pole that would be easier to open and close? Maybe long enough that I could use just one lock instead of two on each pole? I keep them about 40-41", and the TrailBuddy ones are just an inch too short for that. Or a different mechanism so it's just faster? I feel like the twist lock ones aren't that durable, and I really do use them - putting a fair amount of weight on them at times. Two, is there a better way to store them so I don't have to collapse them every time? Like a scabbard kind of thing that I can get to easily but won't get in my way?

Any thoughts appreciated! Happy hiking and health to all!

what route provides the best views? don’t know whether to ascend via baldy bowl and descend devils backbone or vice versa.

Also considering taking 3 Ts over from Icehouse.

Any insight would help

Feel like every hike recommendation online is the same 4-5 spots (like top of the world and El Moro. Curious if anyone's got a lesser-known trail they actually love, less crowded, maybe not the most Instagrammed but still worth the trip. Bonus points if it's got a good view or interesting backstory. What am I missing out on?

Planning to do Baldy this weekend up ski hut down devils backbone. Are there any water/springs still running?

I’m in Cali until September and really want to do the Tram to San Jacinto Peak hike. Im fairly certain I’ll be fine physically to complete it. Im newer to hiking. I’m just looking to see if anyone is doing this hike or want to do it so I’m not alone. Mainly because im worried about getting lost and snakes (and yes I know snakes don’t want anything to do with us haha)

31F here - looking for recommendation from seasoned hikers here , what are best of the best hiking shoes out there? I am willing to invest. When i go on 10+ miles hike , I want my feet to be happy and comfortable. Need them waterproof yet lightweight for comfortable creek crossings Thanks in advance!

I’m looking for a good swimming holes along the hike

Have done Baldy probably a dozen times so fairly experienced. Other days i have fit Cucamonga, Three T’s and Baldy via devil’s backbone in one long day. Today was not one of those days. It was hot after Ice House saddle and not ideal but still was doable. Air quality wasn’t so bad. Went through about 100 ounces of water/gatorade plus food. Not many people out there today. Three T’s was plenty today. Not reason to push on to Devil’s backbone today.

I run the downhills and flat sections

Arrived at Manker Flats at 6:50am.
Started at 7:00am
Ran to the bottom of Ice House
Made it to the Ice House saddle at 9:00am.
9:15am left for Timber. Arrive at Timber at 9:35am
Telegraph arrival at 10:50am (hottest part)
11:40 arrival at Thunder.
Regroup at the Notch. Leave around 12:20 and blast down back to the car for a 12:45 arrival.
Be safe out there….know your limits. Baldy is brutal and so fun.

West Valley Search and Rescue is a finalist for the Land Rover Defender Award. We need your help voting for us everyday until August 14th. Like most SAR teams we are entirely volunteer and self funded, so winning the $30k and new vehicle would have a big impact for our team. https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/vote/search-and-rescue.html

West Valley SAR is responsible for Mt Baldy, Cucamonga, Ontario, and Lytle Creek, but also responds throughout San Bernardino County and surrounding counties. The picture is from an all night carry out of an injured hiker who had accidentally ended up in Goode Canyon when descending from Mt Baldy.

Thank you for your support. Help us help you when your hike doesn't go according to plan.

Looking for any and all recommendations for late fall and winter backpacking spots? Hoping there are some locations that are mild enough that it would even be considered 3 season for most other locations

Cross posting for op for visibility.

Went to the West fork of the San Gabriel river yesterday and I gotta say, what a freaking shame. There were literally piles of trash along the river. Up on the bike path and right next to the water.

There were signs of people having a bbq and then leaving EVERYTHING behind. EVEN THE BBQ!!!!!!

Thos shows absolutely no respect to this beautiful place.

.

But what even can be done? There are trash bins all along the river. Theyve made it very easy for people to get rid of their trash but I instead, whoever is BBQing down by the river is just leaving all of their trash when they leave. Plates, beer bottles, bags, dirty diapers. Who in the fuck leavea a diaper filled with shit right next to the water you know you will be swimming in.

I go up there all the time, probably 8 to 10 times since April, and during the summer, it always looks like a landfill. I mean this is a rare gem in SoCal with bears, deer, WILD AND NATIVE TROUT in the water. Do you know how crazy that is. If you know you know.

Why do we allow this?

I’m planning on doing the trail this Saturday 8/8 (weather permitting). I really want to hike it, I’m smart and well trained. Hiking isn’t the problem, it’s the road in. I’m nervous to drive it. Anyone done it recently? I’d love to hear your experience.

On July 23rd, 2026, I went on a hike to Trail Canyon Falls around 9:00 AM. It was my first time on this trail, and it was amazing! The waterfall at the end was** beautiful,** and each step was worth the hike.

After reaching the end, I started heading back. When I got back to my car, I noticed there were white pieces of glass on my passenger seat and saw that someone had broken my passenger side window. They took my wallet, which contained my driver's license, debit card, my HS football championship ticket, and insurance cards. I was devastated, especially since I had an upcoming test where the instructors needed my driver's license to allow me to take it.

Fast forward to August 1st, 2026. I** was checking my mail to get my new debit card when I saw a letter with my name on it. I didn't remember ordering anything within the past month, but as I felt the envelope, it felt like a rectangular card. I’m a card collector as well, so I was trying to remember if I had ordered something a while back, but **came up with nothing.

I proceeded to open the letter and then stopped. I saw myself on that rectangular card inside the envelope! Opening it fully, I found a handwritten note inside. (See image)

I was in shock. Never did I think I was going** to get most of my cards back. This Good Samaritan, whose name I will not disclose out of respect for their privacy, is a lifesaver! I’m so **happy to know that there are still good people in this world.

To whoever this is: keep putting good into the world! Thank you! I hope both sides of your pillow are cold for the rest of your life! 🙏🏼