6 min
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…
Author
Author: Daniel Scott.
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Showing 1–10 of 93 6 min
7 min
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…
6 min
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.…
17 min
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…
7 min
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…
8 min
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,…
14 min
Gear & Preparation
Top inflatable kayaks for Southern California lakes
Key takeaway: High-performance inflatable kayaks for California lakes prioritize 1,000-denier PVC and drop-stitch technology to achieve hard-shell rigidity against thermal winds. These…
7 min
Gear & Preparation
Checking air quality before your next LA hike
Key takeaway: Hikers must monitor PM2.5 levels, as strenuous climbs amplify toxin inhalation. While the 0-500 AQI scale guides safety, physical exertion…
7 min
Santa Monica Mountains
Packing list for a Backbone Trail thru-hike
Key takeaway: Successful completion of the 67-mile Backbone Trail necessitates a specialized ultralight gear system featuring a 10°F quilt and a sub-15lb…
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