[Shana]

1. It depends on what works. Some people love trail runners, but I love boots. I would go to REI and try them on. They can always refund you within the year.

2. There are 10 essentials you need to bring hiking: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

3. I do and I recommend that eventually when you do the 10 miles and more hikes, you should have one or if you are hiking alone.

4. There's all trails and most of the routes are on it, but don’t depend on it being correct sometimes. When I started I researched all of the hikes from hiking blogs. Now I have a Garmin that has a map on it.

[Shana]

Caroline, the road to there will probably have snow too and the road is curved and a one lane road. When we did it, it snowed all the way there and we used microspikes to hike. If you can wait, I would wait unless you like snow hiking.

[Shana]

1. Sawmill

2. Strawberry (not in the summer)

3. Sitton (not in the summer)

4. San Jacinto via the tram

5. Santiago (not in the summer) drive halfway up

6. Your choice of the rest…😉

[Shana]

Hi! Just helping me get back to my workout routine as I train for the 6 pack central coast and a JMT section hike this summer.

[Shana]

You really have to go to think of elevation plus mileage and weather plays into this

My 11 from easiest to hardest (no snow, no heat) via certain trailheads:

1. Sawmill Mountain via Nordic Base

2. Baden Powell via Vincent Gap

3. Strawberry Peak via Redbox

4. Santiago Peak (if you drive halfway up)

5. Sitton Peak via Ortega Hwy

6. San Jacinto via tram

7. Mt Baldy via the Notch

8. Cucamonga via Ice House

9. Ontario via Ice House (if you can backpack and stay up there to do Cucamonga too it is easier)

10. Mt Wilson (any trail)

11. San Gorgonio (via South Fork and easier if you backpack)

[Shana]

To do a portion of the JMT or High Sierra Trail and the Whitney permit comes with the trail permits so you don't have to do the lottery. Also, the elevation gain is less from the back of Whitney than going up from Lone Pine. Also, you only need a permit if you are staying overnight so if you can get it done without sleeping overnight, you don't need a permit.

[Shana]

Order to do the peaks because you want the winter months to escape the heat of these peaks/bugs that come out in heat:

January-March or October-December

Strawberry 6 miles but not after the rain because it does get snow

Sawmill-7 miles but on weekends when gate is open and not after recent rain because of snow

Sitton- 9 miles, bring gloves to climb at the end

Wilson via Sierra Madre- 14 miles

Santiago via Holy Jim- 16 miles

March-September (depending on snow melt)

Baden Powell- 10 miles

San Jacinto- 10 miles from tram

Cucamonga-12 miles via Icecanyon

Baldy- 12 miles from ski hut to the notch

Ontario- 14 miles from ice canyon

San Bernardino- 17 miles

San Gorgonio- 18 miles via Vivian creek

All of these hikes you need the 10 essentials in your day pack, hiking poles, and good shoes! Good luck!

[Shana]

You want to do any of the lower peaks ft like Sitton, Santiago, sometimes Strawberry if it’s been no rain for awhile or Sawmill if the rain hasn’t been coming down. Everything thing else you are going to need crampons and snow gear. You can check the recent hike logs for current conditions and tips.

[Shana]

Most of them are pretty crowded so you won’t be alone on the trail. Sawmill and San Jacinto should be done in the summer after the snow melts. The rest should be done in the winter/fall because they are all exposed. Strawberry may have snow and you should wait until that melts, but don’t wait too long because it’s all exposed to the sun.

[Shana]

I’ve done them with friends and with my hiking group. Most of them are fine to go solo. The only SoCal peaks my group are doing this year is sawmill because we do the 321 challenge and we do Baldy for the climb for heroes in Nov. Our group is doing the Central Coast 6 pack this year. Good luck!