Fly Tying Patterns San Jose CA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Cleveland National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5100 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The trail descends along the old Barker Valley Road for about 2 miles before joining the old Barker Valley Trail. The trail then descends the west side of the drainage and ends in a large meadow on the north side of the west fork of the San Luis Rey River. The trail offers some great views of Dyche, Will and Mendenhall Valleys. Vegetation along the trail is mostly chaparral, lower in the valley sycamore, black oak, coastal live oak and cottonwood are found. A spring exists at the riverside of the meadow. The water should be filtered or otherwise treated before use. The meadow area provides good camping (A visitor pass is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Campfires are not permitted at any time). Other features of interest in the area are a set of falls in the San Luis Rey River canyon to the southeast of the meadow.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 1000 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The upper Fish Fork, a tributary of the East Fork of San Gabriel River, is one of the more wild and isolated areas of the Angeles National Forest. Fish Fork flows west from Pine Mountain, Dawson Peak and Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy), the highest peak in the San Gabriels. This is Bighorn Sheep country, so keep your eyes open! Sometimes trout may be caught in the snow-fed streams. Much of the area is forested with pine, fir and cedar, although many of the trees were cut for lumber during World War II. There is a trail to two trail camps in the area, one called Little Fish Fork, on a side tributary of the same name and the other about a mile further along the trail to Fish Fork itself and called Upper Fish Fork Campground. There is no trail up or down the stream of Fish Fork, although it is passable part way. Don’t try to go very far along the stream, especially down. It is wild and beautiful but rough and dangerous and should not be traveled alone. Hike up on a narrow old logging road that leads up 1-1/2 miles to Pine Mountain Ridge. Turn left up the ridge for about 1/2 mile more to an old logging road southeast around the ridge and look for the trail across the ridge. Follow the trail 1-1/2 miles down to Little Fish Fork and the first campground. Upper Fish Fork Campground is another 1/2 mile down, by the main Fish Fork stream. Just before reaching Little Fish Fork is a trail junction. Left leads to the trail traversing Devil’s Backbone from Blue Ridge to Mt. San Antonio; right takes you to Fish Fork. The old logging road from near Lupine Campground up to Pine Mountain Ridge is not passable for motor vehicles due to the establishment of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area in 1984.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 10 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 2800 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: This is a moderately difficult and very pleasant hike through an open forest with fine views. It is about four miles uphill from Crystal Lake Campground, but the climb is gradual and not difficult. Begin your hike at the Windy Gap Trail sign at the north edge of the paved road above the parking lot. A short distance up the trail, you will cross a paved road and about three-fourths mile you will come to this same road (unpaved at this point) again as it switches back on the way to South Mt. Hawkins. Leave the trail here and follow the road to your right as it winds up around the side of the mountain to the summit. There is a forest of pine, fir and cedar all the way, with a fine overview between the trees of the Crystal Lake area and the mountains beyond. From the top of South Mt. Hawkins, elevation 7783 ft., is a grand view of San Gabriel Canyon, its North Fork and across the great chasm of the East Fork to Mt. Baldy and other peaks. For a scenic loop trip, take the South Mt. Hawkins Trail which begins just to the north of the site of the old lookout tower (unfortunately, this tower burned in September, 2002, during the Curve). Hike about 2 1/2 miles to the saddle west of Mt. Hawkins. Turn to the left at the trail junction (Pacific Crest Trail) and continue for 2 miles to the junction of the Windy Gap Trail. Turn left and follow the Windy Gap Trail for 2 1/2 miles to the trailhead at the Crystal Lake Recreation Area.

Activities: Mountain Biking

Info:
State: California
Location: Point Magu State Park
Length: Round Trip: 15.5 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 25 feet
Elevation Change: 1575 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 4B
Usage: Moderate

Description: The first 5.6 miles are a gentle ascent on Big Sycamore Canyon Trail to Ranch Center Road. The pedaling on Ranch Center Road is moderately difficult for 1.5 miles and then the road drops rapidly for 0.8 miles. Wood Canyon Trail is picked up at this point and the route continues downhill for two miles to Overlook Trail at Deer Camp Junction. On Overlook Trail you climb very steeply for 1.5 miles and tackle the aptly named Hell Hill. The biking then gets easier as you ride around the south side of an unnamed peak. The loop ends with an exhilarating three-mile descent. Road conditions vary. The first 4.5 miles are over an unpaved, two-wheel-drive road in good condition. This is followed by 3.2 miles of pavement. The remaining miles are on dirt trails in fair-to-good condition with some loose gravel and sand. Follow Big Sycamore Canyon Trail. The road turns to pavement and climbs to an intersection with Ranch Center Road. Turn left and follow Ranch Center Road to Ranch Center and Wood Canyon Trail on the left. Take Wood Canyon Trail to Deer Camp Junction. Continue straight onto Overlook Trail as Wood Canyon Trail veers left. Follow Overlook Trail to Big Sycamore Canyon Trail and turn right to return to the trailhead. Cyclists have damaged portions of the park’s trails by skidding their tires. Walk your bike if you cannot descend without skidding.

Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo State Park
Length: Round Trip: 3.8 miles
Trail type: Loop
Elevation Change: 1000 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Juniper/Pioneer/Summit Loop is a 3.8 mile loop with total elevation gain of 1000 feet. The loop begins on the Juniper Trail. Follow Juniper trail, contouring south along the western slopes of Mount Diablo to the Summit Trail. At the junction with the Summit Trail, follow it toward the summit. You will have to cross a debris parking lot to locate the continuation of the Juniper Trail leading to the Summit Trail. Return on Juniper Trail down to the Juniper Campground.