Allen Riedel - Best Hikes Near Los Angeles: A Falcon Guide

Copyright 2011 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, P.O. Box 480, Guilford CT 06437.

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Text design: Sheryl P. Kober

Project editor: Julie Marsh

Layout artist: Melissa Evarts

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Riedel, Allen.

Best hikes near Los Angeles / Allen Riedel and Monique Riedel. 1st ed.

p. cm. (Best hikes near series)

Summary: Featuring more than 40 of the best hikes in the greater Los Angeles metro area, this exciting new guidebook points locals and visitors alike to trailheads within an hour's drive of Los Angeles Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4930-0586-4 (pbk.)

1. HikingCaliforniaLos Angeles Metropolitan AreaGuidebooks. 2. TrailsCaliforniaLos Angeles Metropolitan AreaGuidebooks. 3. Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (Calif.)Guidebooks. I. Riedel, Monique. II. Title.

GV199.42.C22L6569 2011

917.94'93dc23

2011019084

The authors and Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

Contents

Acknowledgments

There are so many people who have supported my husband and me along the way. Some of our dear friends have struck out on the trails with us and some have given us encouragement and motivation from afar.

First, I would like to thank my parents, Anna and Richard Chavez, for being the best parents. The following people have in some way brought encouragement and light into our lives and I would like to acknowledge them for that: Donn Debaun, Dawn and Alex Wilson, Fish Nate Olmos, Leuren Arenberg, Tanya Esparza, Rebecca Bowen, Melanie and Aaron Swann, Julie Hupp, Julie Ellis, Jane Weal, Chris Chromiak, Elena Maria Lopez, Mark Martinez, Ryan Arne and his company Infinite Power Inc., Stephanie Franco, Sandra Samaniego, my uncle John Acevedo, Adam Mendelsohn, Esperanza Gonzalez and her wonderful family, along with many other fabulous people.

I would like to especially thank my son, Michael J. Millenheft III, for being patient with us and joining us on many of these adventures whether he wanted to or not. To my wonderful step-daughters, Sierra and Makaila Riedel, for loving me unconditionally and honoring me with the Best Step-Mommy in the World award. And finally to my husband, best friend, and twin flame, Allen Riedel, for inspiring me to do things I never thought possible.

Monique

I would like to first and foremost thank all of the people who have spent time hiking with me in the mountains, deserts, hills, forests, jungles, and coastal beaches. Many of you, my friends, have inspired me in countless ways, and I cant thank you enough. I would like to mention some of you by name: Monique Riedel, Sean Coolican, Adam Mendelsohn, Michael Millenheft III, Sierra Riedel, Makaila Riedel, Tom Kashirsky, Cameron Alston, Matt Piazza, Bruno Lucidarme, Chrissy Ziburski, Eric Walther, Bob Romano, Jim Zuber, Danny Suarez, Dylan Riedel, Eric Romero, Donn DeBaun, Alex Wilson, Dawn Wilson, Shannon Parsons, Mike Besold, Paul Murphy, and Jane Weal.

I would also like to acknowledge my family: Monique, Michael, Sierra, and Makaila. All four of you have spent lots of time with me on trails that were great and some not so much... I love you with all my heart.

I also owe a lot to my mom and dad, Barbara and Elmer Riedel, who raised me to believe in myself. Thanks! Thanks to my brother, Larry; my grandparents, Herbert and Vivian Ward, and Elmer and Lucille Riedel; and my in-laws, Anna and Richard Chavez. I am a better person because of all of you.

I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have been granted by writing for the most amazing website: www.localhikes.com. It seems Jim Zuber has been my biggest resource in the writing world, and I can never thank him enough for the awesome site and the amount of work he has sent my way. You rule, Jim!

Patricia Mays, Dave Ammenheuser, and Scott Ammons were great to work with and so helpfulthank you for your time and effort.

I would like to thank Scott Adams, John Burbidge, and the wonderful people at Globe Pequot Press.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of the students and teachers I have worked with over the past thirteen years. It has been a joy knowing all of you.

Allen

Introduction

This book contains forty-six hikes situated near the metropolitan region of Los Angeles. The hikes are located in a variety of areas ranging from county, city, and/or local parks to the surrounding national forests. This book highlights some of the best hikes in the region and covers a vast range of scenery, historical interests, and natural beauty.

Some of the best hiking in Southern California exists within a sixty- to ninety-minute drive from the city center of Los Angeles. The book is intended to be a sampling of the region and an introduction to the incredible wonders that the area has to offer. The hikes are also varied enough to provide interest for many disparate groups of people. There are hikes for waterfall lovers, peak baggers, the young, the young at heart, and even for those looking to get some quick exercise in the great outdoors. The hikes have been selected for their variety and their proximity to Los Angeles. Some are farther away than others, but even without assigning definitive borders to the city or county of Los Angeles, the greater Los Angeles area is a massive region.