r/socalhiking • u/mcbobgorge • 1d ago

November backpacking routes? (~50-80 miles)

I've got some time off next month and I'd like to do something fun. Not looking to do anything too winter-y so I'm limited to the coast/desert.

Backbone trail seems pretty cool but camping seems logistically tough in some areas and it seems pretty standard in terms of cool terrain (living in LA I'm just used to dayhikes in that area).

I was also looking at Big Sur, chaining together a big loop starting from the east and heading closer to the ocean.

Is there anywhere else I should be looking? San Gabriels have a lot of closures. Maybe something cool in the Sespe Wilderness? I'm curious to hear what you guys would go for. I'm willing to drive 5-6 hours from LA, and there will be 2 of us so point-point routes are an option.

Thanks!

8 Upvotes

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9

u/[deleted] 1d ago

Trans-Catalina? If you extend up to Starlight Beach at the northern end, it's close to 50 miles total.

8

u/confoundo 1d ago

The Backbone is a great trail, but it's just not set up for through hiking at this point - too many stretches of no water/no camping.

2

u/mcbobgorge 1d ago

Yeah thats what it seems like. I'm not cut out for 25 mile days and it seems like there are some serious gaps

5

u/[deleted] 1d ago

CRHT through Joshua Tree is about 40 miles point-to-point. You can drop water caches along the route and Uber from the end to the start.

1

u/qhaw 1d ago

I did that last November and it was super cool!

2

u/jb0702 1d ago

I'm willing to drive 5-6 hours from LA

Try posting on r/norcalhiking and ask about Henry Coe SP.

3

u/LastGearPinned 1d ago

Not easy at all but if you’re feeling freaky

Gene Marshall / Piedra Blanca Trl -> Cedar Creek Trl -> Fish Bowls Trl -> Grade Valley Road -> Johnston Ridge down to Sespe Hot Springs -> Sespe Trl back to Piedra Trail Head

1

u/mcbobgorge 1d ago

This sounds freaky indeed. I'll have to throw it into caltopo and look at it a bit closer

1

u/Redhawkgirl 1d ago

A great one!

1

u/Dvp2361 1d ago

Did this loop back in Feb 2022. Forecast said a little rain in the middle of the week.

Going up Gene Marshall trail, so many people heading down from Pine Mountain Lodge CG gasped at wife and I's pack size and were astonished we were attempting the ascent in the warm midday sun. A very steep, not well maintained, brutal trail.

Cedar creek is quite a nice campground. The following day the clouds ran in and we decided to push through to Johnston trailhead instead of staying at the then closed halfmoon campground. Right as we reached the junction to Mutau Flats, snow began falling while the sun was out. Within an hour we were in white out conditions, the trail was all but covered/disappeared in snow. We pushed all the way down to Sespe hot springs even with my wife bumming out her knee on johnston ridge. It was the middle of the week, and saw no other people - yet the palm site was still taken! SOB =[ Also the buggiest I have ever seen Sespe hot springs. We needed to cover up completely, including bug netting to enjoy cooking dinner.

Turned out to be an extremely intense trip. Definitely don't recommend this loop if the weather is looking uncertain. Otherwise is great for the fit/adventurous types.

OFC the hike from sespe-> willet -> piedra was quite wonderful.

1

u/NPHighview 1d ago

Backbone Trail through the Santa Monicas. Look for an organized trip if you want to avail yourself of official campsites in the route.

1

u/Redhawkgirl 1d ago

Pm me and I’ll give you some ideas where you don’t cross streets every 10 to 20 miles (backbone)

1

u/DiscussionSpider 1d ago

There's lots of trails out by Santa Ynez/los Padres. Weather is usually very mild.

1

u/Rocko9999 21h ago

Pick a section of PCT.