[Matt]

Hey Christopher!

Here's my hopefully helpful $0.2

1) Which hiking shoes/boots would you recommend if money is no object? Maybe also provide some alternates?

Shoes are definitely something you should try on at an REI and get a feel for. Also, buy them from REI. If they don't work you can return them within a year. Oh and if you buy from REI, don't buy garage sale ones, you can't return those. Buy only new. But recommendations, I ONLY use Keen for below ankle shoes, and Oboz for boots. My heels are weird shaped and those are the only shoes I have found that don't give me blisters, even when wearing dual layer socks. So I love keen. But Merrels are good. Solomon is a GREAT brand that is recommended by many a hiker AND Navy seals lol. I would be rocking those if they worked for my feet. Unfortunately the didn't. La sportiva is also good if money is no object. But honestly, try a bunch on and see what's the most comfortable for you. And go a half size up so you don't get the dreaded black toes. You don't want you toes touching the end of your shoes on the way down.

2) What essential items should I pack?

Here's my unorganized brain dump. Going through what I'm packing for Saturday morning lol. Water, always. And MORE than you think you will need. For any of these trails you need at least 3 liters. I'd get a backpack with a water bladder, 3 liter, and hip straps. On the bigger hikes I always bring another nalgene bottle or two of water. It's heavy but I never get dehydrated. I'd also bring something to start a fire with, a cheap and light poncho in case it rains, or something for potential rain, I always also bring a space blanket and a small multitool. A portable phone charge, compass is always also in my bag. Get a buff and bring that every time too. It's one of my favorite pieces of gear. And snacks, whatever you like but nothing that will make your stomach crazy. Oh and bring a small plastic hand shovel, a big ziplock bag, and some toilet paper. You'll need to bury your poo if you go, and pack out your paper in the ziplock as well. No one mentions this because it's kinda gross but I've had to go on trails before. It's a fact of hiking and don't leave your tp out there like some. Big no no. I always also bring a small first aid kit. And some electrolyte supplements of some sort for hydration, either chews (my go to) or pills or something. If it's sunny you can bring sunscreen and sunglasses too.

I also always bring trekking poles. They are good for balance, and specifically for me for my knees. I have bad knees and they are a LIFE SAVER. Dual layer socks are also good if you are prone to blisters.

3) Do people hike with some sort of device for relatives/friends to track you on the hike or to contact help if there’s an emergency in an area without cell phone reception?

Some people do. A lot of them you do have to pay for the service on top of the phone itself. Usually people have satellite phones. I don't bring anything with me. I just text a family where I'm going, what trail, what time I'm starting, and what time I think I'll be back (give yourself time when you start lol, these trails can take a while for beginners). That way if I get stuck I know it's not going to be forever because if they don't hear from my by a specific time they have explicit instructions to call rangers/police.

4) It seems that the recommended routes on this site are on something called Gaia which I’m not familiar with. Do people load those routes onto another device so it’s easy to determine the exact route when on the mountain? If so, which device would you recommend?

I've never used these either but a lot of people use them. Maybe look at garmin if you're interested. I've heard Gaia is good but can't speak to it.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[Matt]

It really depends on which peaks you are planning on doing. If you're planning on doing any of the bigger/higher altitude ones right now (Baldy, San Bernardino, Baden-Powell, San Jacinto, San Gorgornio) know that there WILL be snow and lots of it. You definitely need the right gear for that, as well as general knowledge of the trail directions without snow. I'd be more than happy to walk you through what you might need as far as gear. This is also dependent on skill and experience level. If you've never been to these peaks without snow, I wouldn't recommend them until the snow melts. Some of the other peaks will probably be better to start with in this case. But ask away! More than happy to give you any advice I can. I've been hiking all of the big stuff in all year round for years. Rain or snow or sunshine lol. There also should be basic trail guides for them somewhere on the site.

[Matt]

You're VERY welcome! Any info I can give I'm more than happy to do so 🙂

[Matt]

Yea I'll definitely find your other post and reply. It helps knowing you aren't interested in doing any of these in the snow because that would require more gear. And more gear is more money lol.

As far as which peaks you should do first, honestly Victoria has the right idea. I've done all the originals many times, as well as Baden Powell and Ontario from the alternates. The others I've never done. For some reason I like the bigger stuff better. BUT, you should definitely start with the alternates because most of them are either less mileage, or less altitude gain, or both. And that's what you should go with first. You'll want to build up your strength and endurance. I've seen far too many people go balls to the wall and do the big stuff and then just absolutely be destroyed. That isn't the funnest experience lol. Looking at the alternates if I was just starting out I'd probably start with Sawmill, then Strawberry, then Baden Powell, then Santiago (the suggested route), then Sitton, Cucamunga, Ontario, Wilson, Baldy, Jacinto, Bernardino, Gorgornio. That's if you're doing all of them. Take out any you don't want to do but still maybe in that order. Baldy is less miles than the three I put before it, BUT the suggested route takes you over the backbone and you don't want to do that in the winter (snow/ice). People die out there every year in those conditions. I'm experience with snow and even I don't do that. So I placed that later. Baden Powell is snow covered right now so you can put that later too but it's less difficult in the snow if the trail is well traveled. I basically made this list a gradual climb in miles and elevation from easiest to hardest.

Let me know if you have any questions on this. Or frankly on any of the peaks I've mentioned I've done. More than happy to give you knowledge or advice on any of them.