A collection of items of interest to hikers
Hiking in Warm Weather
In many locations, summer is a great time for hiking.
Sometimes, however, the weather can pose as many challenges as opportunities, and this is certainly true when the temperature climbs. Clear, sunny skies, and long daylight hours can all mean a great, full day spent on the trail … but here in Southern California summer can often feel like the worst possible time to go outside, let alone hike. That doesn’t mean you can’t hike during these times — you just have to be a little more prepared.
Click here for American Hiking Society hot weather hiking information
Click here for nine rules for hot weather hiking from Modern Hiker
Click here for four points to keep in mind from The Hiking Life
Sometimes, however, the weather can pose as many challenges as opportunities, and this is certainly true when the temperature climbs. Clear, sunny skies, and long daylight hours can all mean a great, full day spent on the trail … but here in Southern California summer can often feel like the worst possible time to go outside, let alone hike. That doesn’t mean you can’t hike during these times — you just have to be a little more prepared.
Click here for American Hiking Society hot weather hiking information
Click here for nine rules for hot weather hiking from Modern Hiker
Click here for four points to keep in mind from The Hiking Life
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Sunscreens
2As an FDA-regulated product, sunscreens must pass certain tests before they are sold. But how you use this product, and what other protective measures you take, make a difference in how well you are able to protect yourself and your family from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun.
Click here for sunscreen information from the FDA Click here for Consumer Reports Sunscreen Buying Guide Click here for Consumer Reports Best Sunscreens of 2022 Click here for Good Housekeeping Institute's 22 Best Sunscreens Click here for NY Times' Wirecutter Sunscreen Reviews Best Insect Repellants- Consumer Reports
Click here for Consumer Reports latest ratings which include lotions, sprays, wipes, and plant-based repellents.
Best Mosquito Control Gear
Click here for reviews from the New York Times' Wirecutter for the best mosquito control gear for your patio or yard.
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Emergen-C Hydration
Emergen-C Hydration + is a powdered sports drink mix, good for electrolyte replenishment. A lot less sugar than Gatorade mix.
Click here for information, from Amazon. The Best Bug Repellants- Wirecutter
Click here for reviews from the New York Times' Wirecutter about the best bug repellants for you and your family..
Ticks
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Hiking in Cold Weather
Hiking during the winter can be fun as long as you prepare with these tips.
Just because the temperature has fallen like the leaves of a tree doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable hike outside. With a little extra preparation, hiking in the winter can be every bit as enjoyable as hiking during the warmer months – and without any additional hassle. If you have the gear for a warm weather hike, you can easily modify it for the cold. Before you go, be sure to follow a few of these guidelines to stay safe and warm.
Click here for winter hiking tips to stay warm on the trail
Click here for American Hiking Society cold weather hiking information,
Just because the temperature has fallen like the leaves of a tree doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable hike outside. With a little extra preparation, hiking in the winter can be every bit as enjoyable as hiking during the warmer months – and without any additional hassle. If you have the gear for a warm weather hike, you can easily modify it for the cold. Before you go, be sure to follow a few of these guidelines to stay safe and warm.
Click here for winter hiking tips to stay warm on the trail
Click here for American Hiking Society cold weather hiking information,
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Diamond Grip
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Trail Gaiters
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A Winter season recommendation for you:
We’ve had a lot of experience trying and failing to find the perfect device to put over our shoes or boots in icy weather. We’ve tried all sorts of devices: things that have little buttons (which tear off) or like snowtire studs that also fall off, cables wrapped with some steel springs (which slide dangerously despite vendors’ claims), and even bulkier crampons (too wobbly on some surfaces, and uncomfortable). But I’ve finally found what I think are perfect, and I strongly recommend them. They’re identified under at least a couple of brand names, “Yaktrax Diamond Grip”, or “ICETrekkers Diamond Grip”; and both can be found on Amazon as well as other vendors via Google – just be sure it looks like the picture. They’re easy to put on and off over any footware, and they really prevent you from slipping on hard glare ice (but not wet slush, for which you need deep cleats on the sole)! But I suggest ordering early – they’re so popular that certain sizes, especially larger ones for boots, run out early in the Fall and they don’t restock until June. They come in a variety of sizes, but be aware that they really don’t stretch much, so you can’t buy just one pair and hope to have it fit over both your shoes and your larger snow boots – you’ll have to buy different sizes for each footware – but it’s worth it by preventing broken bones! The websites aren’t much help in selecting sizes, so use our experiences as a guide (as Marlene and I fit them to our shoes and boots), based on the length x width of the sole of your shoe or snow boot: 10x4” = M; 11x4” = L; 12½x4½” = XL; and 13x5½” = 2XL (or XXL). Click here for more information about Diamond Grip. WoundSeal
WoundSeal Powder is a non-prescription topical powder. The ingredients are a hydrophilic polymer and potassium ferrate. In combination with manual pressure to the wound, the powder quickly forms a strong scab that completely covers the wound and stops the bleeding.
Click here for more information about WoundSeal. |
Gaiters are garments worn over the show and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protection equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats. Originally, gaiters were made of leather. Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as polyester.
Click here for more information about gaiters. Trekking Poles
When snowshoeing it is a good idea to add larger ski baskets on the bottom of your trekking poles. The basket is a disc like object towards the bottom of a pole just above the tip, and it is there to stop the pole from sinking too far into the snow. On many poles the baskets can be changed by screwing them on and off.
Click here for information about adding and removing trekking baskets. Acetone
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Got tree sap on your clothes or things? Try dabbing Acetone on a rag or rubbing on clothes. Caution: Always use in a well-ventilated area. It may dissolve certain plastics and synthetic fibers. Safe for jeans and other cotton fabrics. |
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How to Survive a Wildfire While Hiking
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A Unique Use for Duct Tape
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Click here for 5 tips for hikers caught in a wildfire
Squint's Ranch
Squints Ranch was named after Squint Washington, a genial one - armed bootlegger, who reputedly supplied many of the mountain watering spots during prohibition. He lost an arm along the way, but bragged "my extra perspicuity makes up for it". He so carefully hid his boot-legging operations that he was never convicted. He was usually called "Old man Squint", and he patented the land in 1893. The patent was granted ten years later. It is said to be the only "deeded" forest acres in the area. it is located on the Lake Arrowhead topo map. The ranch continues to be called Squints Ranch. After 1968 Nadia and Scotty Russell became caretakers of the ranch, after landing on its airstrip. For details about the property, click here.
The Wildlands Conservancy
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Have you ever had an encounter with a cactus that leaves you with impossibly small, nearly invisible, and very annoying spines stuck on you? And not knowing how to remove them?? A little duct tape (or any adhesive-backed tape, really) may save the day. Simply put the tape, sticky side down, over the spines on your skin, press lightly, and lift off the tape. The spines stick to the tape, not to you. Repeat as necessary.
Small rolls of duct tape are widely available. Or make your own by wrapping several feet of duct tape around a convenient core, such as the barrel of a ball-point pen. Video Corner
Mile, Mile and a Half A group of artists hike the John Muir Trail, 219 miles in 5 days, and bring back their experiences. Figure it out on the Hayduke Trail Hardcore hikers hike a rugged trail in the canyonlands of Utah. George Hayduke is a fictional, environmental Luddite wreaking havoc in the southwest. Created by Edward Abbey, author of “Desert Solitiare” (non-fiction) and “The Monkey Wrench Gang.”) The Unruly Mystic: John Muir Explores the life and influential work of this patron saint of environmental activist Hill 582
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Identify Your Plants
Just upload a picture to either or both of these websites, and they will provide a percentage probability of their correct identity (or name).
Click here for Pl@ntNet Click here for Plant.id Silverwood Lake
Silverwood Lake is a large reservoir in San Bernardino County, California, located on the West Fork Mojave River, a tributary of the Mojave River in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Click here for more information about Silverwood Lake. Heaps Peak Arboretum
Heaps Peak Arboretum, located at 6,000', is open 365 days a year and is free to the public. Heaps Peak's unique arboretum and botanical gardens greet visitors with a diversity of native plants. Click here for more information.
Rock Camp Metates
Click here to step back in time along the Metate Trail.
Swarthout Canyon
Click here for information and history of Swarthout Canyon.
How Giant Sequoias Got to Southern California
Click here for historical information of how the Giant Sequoia trees came to Southern California.
The 'R'
The "R," (for the University of Redlands) located on a hillside of the San Bernardino Mountains, is believed to be one of the largest collegiate letters in the nation, standing 415 feet tall and 275 feet wide. Click here for the history of this emblem.
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Hill 582 is a popular train watching location on Cajon Pass in Southern California. This spot is at mile 58.2 on BNSF's Cajon Subdivision, hence the "582." The site was once a barren hilltop, like others in the area, but in 1992, Don E. Toles and his associates decided to spruce up the place with a rock garden and trees. In 1994, several eucalyptus trees were planted and are now over 20 feet tall. Many species of cacti were also planted. The site later became a memorial to area rail fans. Today, the hill is still a popular gathering spot for train watchers and photographers on weekends. They arrive with their RV's, cameras, lawn chairs and picnic supplies. Two or three times a week Don Toles and some of his friends show up to water the plants and groom the grounds for another onslaught of visitors. Click here for more information about Hill 582. Cajon Pass
Cajon Pass is a mountain pass between the San Bernardino Mountains to the east and the San Gabriel Mountains to the west in Southern California.
Click here for more information about Cajon Pass. Summit Valley
Summit Valley is a valley along SR 138 in the San Bernardino Mountains, east of Cajon Pass within San Bernardino County, California. Its mouth lies at an elevation of 3,048 feet west of the source of the Mojave River, at the confluence of the West Fork Mojave River and Deep Creek.
Click here for more information about Summit Valley. Arrowbear's Deep Creek Lake
Click here for the story and brief history of Arrowbear's Deep Creek Lake.
Mojave Desert
Click here for everything you wanted to know about the Mojave Desert.
Eye of God/Crystal Mountain
Click here for more information and history of Eye of God/Crystal Mountain.
Penny Pines Project
The Penny Pines Reforestation Program through the U.S. Forest Service has given local community groups a way to help sponsor reforestation projects, Cllck here for a history of the Penny Pines program and how it helped reforest the San Jacinto Mountains.
Wildwood Canyon
Home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, Wildwood Canyon preserves ancient oak woodlands, native sites, and pioneer homesteads. Click here to view the park brochure.
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