Long Weekend, Local Outdoor Adventures

Need a little outdoor inspiration for a long weekend? How about hiking up to Inspiration Point, or to the top of a Palm Springs peak, or to waterfalls! Here are a few ways to let off a little steam and enjoy the outdoors.

Week: 02.16.2017
Regions: Southern CA

Trail to the Falls

Hike to Trail Canyon Waterfalls in Los Angeles County

Named for the trail of gold dust that once dominated this area, Trail Canyon Falls just outside of Burbank is now rich with a liquid asset: a gorgeous 30-foot waterfall. Reach it on a 5.2-mile (round-trip) hike.
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Notch One for Baldy

Snowshoe hiking on Mount Baldy in Los Angeles County

In a great winter, Mount Baldy’s lower slopes become one of SoCal’s most accessible snow playgrounds—skiing and boarding up top, sledding and building snowpersons at the bottom. In between is a virtual highway for snowshoers—snowed-over Falls Road and Baldy Road, from Manker Flat
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Earnest in Ernest

Hiking in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles

Finding peace of mind in the middle of Los Angeles? Hey, it does happen every now and zen. Northeast of downtown is the 300-acre oasis of Ernest E. Debs Regional Park and a 5-mile loop hike with a solitary spot for surveying the city and finding serenity. Park at the beautiful an
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Romancing the Snow

Snowy Valentines Day in North Lake Tahoe

We know a dozen roses is romantic. But to really impress? Uncork a weekend escape with some serious champagne powder! North Lake Tahoe is experiencing record-breaking snowfall this season—over 500 inches have fallen across the Sierra. Choose from 12 resorts, all of which have a w
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Inspiration Point

Hiking to Inspiration Point in Los Angeles

With a name like Inspiration Point, expectations are high … and high you’ll go, as in above the clouds on this beautiful 10-mile (round-trip) hike located 2 miles north of popular Echo Mountain. While the Sam Merrill Trail to Echo Mountain is well paved and snakes its way up the
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Millard Time

Hike to Millard Waterfall in Los Angeles County

Lace up the waterproof boots for this short hike to one sweet waterfall! The 1.5-mile out-and-back trek to roaring Millard Canyon Falls also makes a splash with stunning panoramas of the San Gabriel Valley.
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Murray Up!

Hiking to Murray Hill in Palm Springs

Palm Springs’ highest summit, Murray Hill, is unfairly named. It’s not a hill: It’s a pyramid-shaped peak poking into the sky above the Coachella Valley. And it’s a demanding 2,200-foot hike to the top! Cool winter days are ideal for an ascent, though you’ll still want sunscreen
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

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