Lamountains 188 articles published
Exploring the best trails for Malibu Creek State Park hiking Featured · Santa Monica Mountains

Exploring the best trails for Malibu Creek State Park hiking

In brief Pick your trail by difficulty first: the park offers easy, moderate and strenuous routes. Leave your dog at home, because dogs are not allowed on the…

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Exploring the Great Outdoors, From Peaks to Streets.

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01
— Gear & Preparation

Top trekking poles for conquering LA’s steep canyons

At a glance Choose a pair with secure locks, interchangeable tips and enough length range for steep climbs and descents. The Black…
16 Oct
02
— Gear & Preparation

How to identify and avoid poison oak on LA trails

In brief Recognize Pacific poison oak by its compound leaf of three leaflets on smooth, thornless stems, and keep away from any…
15 Oct
03
— Gear & Preparation

Essential gear for hiking in the rain in California

In brief A waterproof, breathable shell with sealed seams and rain pants keeps you dry in steady California rain. A 3-layer shell…
14 Oct
04
— Malibu & Coast

Hiking the Point Dume trail in Malibu

In brief Start at the end of Westward Beach Road for the short 1-mile preserve loop, which takes 30 to 45 minutes.…
13 Oct
05
— Gear & Preparation

Brightest and best hiking headlamps for night trails

Key takeaway: Optimal hiking performance in 2026 necessitates a strategic balance between high-lumen output and thermal regulation. While the Petzl NAO RL…
12 Oct
06
— Gear & Preparation

Trail etiquette every new hiker needs to know

Key takeaway: Mastering trail etiquette necessitates prioritizing uphill momentum and yielding to stock animals to ensure collective safety. Maintaining aerobic rhythm for…
11 Oct
07
— Urban & Historic LA

Mastering the Culver City stairs for hiking fitness

Key takeaway: Mastering the 282 irregular concrete steps at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook provides a superior vertical cardio and posterior chain workout,…
10 Oct
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A place to share, slowly and thoughtfully, everything that matters when it comes to hiking and trekking.

MM
Mathilde Martin
Santa Monica Mountains & Urban & Historic LA writer
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