Places to hike outside the Angeles

[clint]

[WWMtnGal]

Clint,
    Wow, thank you so much for reminding us of the other spectacular places to visit and camp.  It is sad about all of the forests around here but you are right, not far from here are some other beautiful and interesting places to hike and camp.  Thank you for the information and others that have postings please do so it is nice to know of new places to visit.  This time of year I also like to visit the Bishop area.  It is so beautiful and nice areas there to see.

[mtman]

Clint's great suggestion inspired webmasters Jane Strong and Tom Chester to write
a full web page on alternative hiking locations caused by the forest closures.

Their new web page Hiking Areas Close To The Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests
can be found here: http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/nearby_hikes.html

Jane and Tom's love for the San Gabriel Mountains is apparent when you visit their informative
web pages on our local mountains.

[snwbnny]

my husband just went hiking over in los padres national forest. very pretty place even though its not right around the corner.

[johnNjeri]

I humbly add Rancho Santa Ana Botonical Garden to your list.  While not a wilderness hike by any means, and clearly not far enough from civilization to suit me, it does offer a nice walk through serene settings, and only a mile down the road from the Claremont Colleges.  Located on Foothill Blvd, behind the School of Theology, in Claremont.   It's free.  

[Mountain_Witch]

It's not a hop skip and a jump from here but it's a great place to check out if you haven't been there already. Although my favorite time of the year to go is spring time, I'm sure it's just as enjoying and relaxing anytime. And if your into birding, then you'll really like it. The wooden boardwalks make for a nice stroll.

Home Page for Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
www.bigmorongo.org

Another place that I'm planning on heading to next month is Mojave National Preserve. It's got all kinds of things to explore. Again, it's not all that close, but it's good fall and winter camping. Actually not much farther from Owl Canyon that Clint has mentioned, only it's east of Barstow.
Mojave National Preserve Website
www.nps.gov/moja/home.htm

[clint]

mountain_witch,

The Mojave National Preserve has some really wonderful places in it. One walk that is kind of below the radar for most people is to drive up Broadwell Dry Lake valley from I-40 - this follows the old Tonapah&Tidewater railroad grade, there are still lots of ties left- you park off the road and there is small natural arch several miles east of the lake up the alluvial fan. I strongly reccomend Tom Harrisons map of the Mojave National Preserve. It is hands down the best map of this area. Sport Chalet should have it and REI usually has it. The address is Tom Harrison 333 Bellham Blvd. San Rafael, CA 94901 415.456.7940



Clint

[zelicaon]

For those who can't wait to get the map Clint suggested, here are some links to online Mojave Preserve Maps from the URL given by Mountain_Witch

Wilderness Map, not too clear
http://www.nps.gov/moja/mojamap2.htm

Hiking Page, not too much information
http://www.nps.gov/moja/mojarehi.htm

Geology Field Tour, excellent, click on the stop buttons
http://www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/usgsnps/mojave/mojaftmap.html

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Additional information Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area closures:

Open Areas:
Miller Canyon Group Camp (Existing reservations will be evaluated, no
new reservations will be accepted during the closure period.
West Fork Group Camp
Old and New Mesa Campgrounds and Visitor Center
Cleghorn Day Use Areas
Marina
Black Oak and Day use Facilities in the Marina Area (i.e. Sawpit)
Chamise, Sycamore and Live Oak Landings (Boat In)

http://cal-parks.ca.gov/pages/712/files/100302.pdf
Fire Restrictions, Travel Restrictions,And Closures For Some California State Parks, October 3, 2002