Onyx Peak near Big Bear Lake

On the road to Big Bear from Redlands on highway 38, you must pass through Onyx Summit, at 8,443, this road is the highest paved through road in all of southern California. At Onyx Summit, there is a turn off to the east of the highway for a dirt road 1N01 that leads to Onyx Peak (9,113). However, the road is usually gated about 1 mile from the peak. Park here and walk the 2 miles round trip for an easy hike. There is about 300 feet of elevation gain.

Location: eastern part of the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: moderate to easy
Elevation Change: 300 feet
Time of Year Best: any
Recommended Map: National Geographic TOPO! Weekend Explorer 3D (Los Angeles, Los Padres, San Bernardino National Forest)

Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park

Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park

Vernal Falls Mist

Vernal Falls from Mist Trail

Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park reigns majestic as a mighty awe of God's handiwork. Approaching the falls via the Mist Trail the sound booms deafening. Approaching the falls the mist rains steady and the sight demands pause. Prepare to get wet and walk steady as the trail travails into the mist.                

Location: eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park
Distance: 3 miles round-trip
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Elevation Change: 1,000 feet
Time of Year Best: May
Recommended Map: Yosemite SW - Yosemite Valley & Wawona - Trails Illustrated Map # 306

Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park

Hiking to Mirror Lake was mostly easy.  Round trip it was a flat 2.5 miles from the bus stop. We walked the paved road to a bridge that crossed the Tenaya Creek. Instead of crossing the bridge and following the road like we were supposed to, we followed a well worn dirt trail that skirted along the creek opposite side of the paved road until Mirror Lake. This trail ran between the creek on one side and the cliffs of Half Dome on the other. The scenery and the broken rocks through here were surreal. Once we arrived at a meadow we realized we had reached Mirror Lake, but we failed to find a way across Tenaya Creek and were content to walk back the way we came. The weather was overcast, but Mirror Lake lived up to its name. Thunder and rain accompanied our hike.

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley

Lower Yosemite Falls

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite

Half Dome from near the Yosemite Falls

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls 2

Yosemite Falls Trail

Upper Yosemite Falls from meadow