| Archive for San Gabriel Mountains Discussion Forum Open discussion board for activities in the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California |
| yobtaf |
Hi from the NooBFirst things first, HI!I am getting back into hiking, haven't hiked since Boy Scouts. I'm 40 now and trying to get back in shape. Trying not to think of myself so much and live for my wife and 2 girls  I have been going on Fridays after work with a friend from work but now it seems to be getting a lot hotter. We have done Monrovia falls 5 times, not from the parking lot but down from the street, and we have done Orchard camp. What says the board for hikes close to Irwindale area that have more shade, or cooler hike to hit after work, and noob friendly? TIA
Dean |
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| mattmaxon |
Greetings!
I'm all for HYOH (Hike your own hike) My knowledge of that area is limited at best, so I'll leave the hike suggestions to others I'd say in general it's gonna be tough to find places that are "cool" down low in the hot weather season. (june-ish thru mid-october) I generally hope for some wind so your natural cooling system can do it's thing Shade is always welcome, but "afternoon" is a wide range too. In general it starts to "cool" around 4:30 pm or so but that's relative for sure The general equation for heat for me is whatever the temp is... direct sun adds 10-15°, that 5° is for wind. (80° forecast + 10-15° = 90-95°) It also seems if you are in thick chaparral, it holds lots of heat, it's like being in an oven. Clothing makes a difference "Cotton Kills" isn't just for cold weather, if you are wearing a cotton T and jeans you're gonna roast , cotton white tightees will cause chafing in your nether regions If you don't have any shade BRING some! Yeah it looks weird but who the heck cares, an umbrella helps! Golite makes a nice metalized one and I have made a couple with space blanket glued on it, I've also used those umbrella hats, but they are uncomfortable (for me) Golf umbrellas are cheap and plentiful Don't forget shoes, breathable ones are essential for hot weather, those leather ovens are gonna cause problems IMO A bladder drinking system will help keep you properly hydrated Hope to see some great TR's ! Regards Matt |
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| HikeUp |
Close to Irwindale?
Chantry Flats (Map, Map) - follow Santa Anita Avenue north into the mountains. quite a few trails that head out from there. Monrovia Canyon Park (Map) - Waterfall Trail (you said you've done this) - Ben Overturff Trail (heads up into Sawpit Canyon above the dam) Get a Tom Harrison Topographic/Trail Map or equivalent so you know what you're getting into. REI sells them. |
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| yobtaf |
Thanks so far I got a new John Robinson book, the one I had from '76 fell apart when I thumbed through it.
Keep them coming 
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| Hikin_Jim |
Near Irwindale? Hmm. If you've got the whole P.M. off, you could go east to Claremont and swing up towards Baldy Village. Icehouse Canyon is a great place to hike and generally cooler because of it's altitude. Generally, Icehouse isn't a hike that you could go and do after work. I concur with HikeUp that Chantry Flats is nice. There is an exposed blacktop road that you have to go down (and then up on your way back) to get into Santa Anita Canyon, but hopefully things will have cooled off a bit by the time you climb back up. Millard Canyon is shady once you drop in above the falls, but probably pretty hot on a hot day, even in the evening. The Arroyo Seco (near JPL) is a nice one. Fairly flat. Good family hike. Shady once you get past JPL, but hot until you get there. Check out Robinson's book, he's the man. The book is getting a bit dated now, but it's still the best out there. Also check out http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking and http://www.localhikes.com for some good info. HJ |
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