Hiking Sunset Peak

Well, say what you want about the LA area, but it definitely has some great hiking. The San Gabriel Mountains run along the northern edge of the suburban bits of LA, and go up to 10,000 feet. There has been snow up there continuously since late October.

The San Gabriels are young and rough and rocky and fascinating. It's a dramatic change from the gentle brown hills of the Bay Area. I love getting up into the sort of sub-alpine areas where just a few twisted evergreens eke out an existance.

I just got back from a fine hike up to Sunset Peak, featuring a panoramic view of most of the Inland Empire. Sunset Peak isn't really very high, but due to the recent storms, it is nevertheless covered in snow. I had a great time checking out my new waterproof boots, and just kinda cruising along. The hike wasn't steep enough to really put me out of breath (unlike most of the hikes around Mt. Baldy), so I was feeling especially capable.