Get Off Your Ass Los Angeles!

June 10, 2009 at 6:51 pm (Hiking!)

This post is for all you weekend warriors out there, who have no interest in wasting your days off watching the Lakers or the Dodgers do what they do every season…win, win, win, win, lose. So if you want to avoid the inevitable disappointment, pull yourself away from your couch and television, and enjoy some of the many local treasures that Los Angeles has to offer. Yes, that’s right, Los Angeles has much more to offer than just the sports teams. I know when most people picture Los Angeles in their minds, they see the skyscrapers of downtown crowned with smog, or they picture an asphalt labyrinth packed with cars. However, Los Angeles has a much softer and cleaner side, it’s full of places you can escape to. The southland contains some of the most beautiful wilderness areas on the west coast. The best way to explore these natural treasures is by going hiking. There are hundreds of trails out there waiting for you! You don’t need super high-tech moisture wicking clothes or heave duty hiking boots, all you need are comfortable  clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and a sturdy pair of shoes. Oh, and don’t forget to get an Adventure Pass, it’s a permit that lets you park your car at trailheads, and it‘s good for 12 months: it’s $30 and $5 for an additional car, you can purchase the pass at any REI or Sport Chalet. So get out there, have fun, take pictures, enjoy fresh clean air! And while you are out and about on the trails, please remember these 5 simple rules:

1. Always check conditions before you go hiking.
2. Always tell people where you are hiking.
3. Don’t be overzealous with choosing a hike.
4. Bring water, snacks, first aid kit, a compass and map.
5. Don’t be an asshole to Mother Nature! Stay on the trails and take out what you take in. And if you do see any garbage on the trail, feel free to pick it up, because Karma is a beautiful thing.

Here are some great resources to get you started on your outdoor, wilderness adventures.
Books:
Afoot & Afield in Los Angeles County by Jerry Schad
Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson and Doug Christiansen (book also comes with a map)
Websites:
Angeles National Forrest Website http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy http://www.smmc.ca.gov/
ABC’s and 123’s of the Trail http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-etiquette/hiking-etiquette.asp