Overnight Backpacking in Southern California

[lardbutt]

Anybody know of any areas that allow zone-camping/backpacking in San Diego, Riverside, or San Bernadino counties?

[gooseaholic]

Im pretty sure you can on the PCT.

[bikerider]

check out SGWA.org. many different trails, some good remote hikes and backpacking trips. San Jacinto is also good for backpacking and hiking trips. San J. you have the option of taking the tram up and getting into the high country fairly easily, or take one of the many trails up. Happy backpacking.

[stinkyrider]

check out SGWA.org. many different trails, some good remote hikes and backpacking trips. San Jacinto is also good for backpacking and hiking trips. San J. you have the option of taking the tram up and getting into the high country fairly easily, or take one of the many trails up. Happy backpacking.

+1 for San Jacinto as well.
Highly recommended for SoCal backpacking.

[autoduel]

+2
San Jacinto is the closest "remote" location with evergreens in socal.

[OffRoadie]

If you don't mind the desert, you can go to Anza-Borrego. There's actually lots of cool stuff there.

[gooseaholic]

If you don't mind the desert, you can go to Anza-Borrego. There's actually lots of cool stuff there.

Nice out there, done lots of plant studies with the ex out there.

[Danimal]

Mt Baldy has Backpacking and camping.
Great stuff, very much wilderness like.
Try Icehouse canyon, or go up the Siera club trail and camp in the Baldy bowl.
A good few hours hike and your in forest all alone!

I know this as I've done it many many times in my youth.
Back when a 14-17 yr old could spend the week out back packing with friends.

These days I think the 'rents would get slapped with a endagerment charge...

[92se-r]

Right now is the perfect time to go to Anza Borrego. Once a year wildflower blooms AND with all the rains we've had, they should be amazing.

I would recommend San Gorgornio and San Jacinto. Cool hikes.



Sunset from 11,501 feet on top of San Gorgornio.

[sdyeti]

Not sure if you mean zone-camping where you actually can kind of camp anywhere??

If you're just looking for some fun backpacking, I'd recommend the San Bernardino Nat'l Forest/San Gorgonio Wilderness from Camp Angelus (trail 1N07) to San Bernardino Peak to San Gorgonio Mtn. (elevation 11,502).

We did this hike (though didn't make it all the way to San Gorgonio) last Memorial Day Weekend...beautiful views and less crowded than San Jacinto.

The first part was kind of strenuous (from Camp Angelus to San Bernardino Peak) but after that, you are traversing the ridgeline. We camped at Limber Pine Springs and Shields Flat.

[Blue Rat]

The Vivian Creek trail up to San Gorgonio peak has a couple of backpacking camping areas along the way. It's the shortest yet steepest climb to the top.

I've done it as a day climb but have never stayed overnight, although there are plenty of people I've met on the trail that were camping.

[92se-r]

Vivian Creek is the one I did. A bonus is that there is water access for much of it.

[sdyeti]

Yeah, the only water we got was at Limber Pine Springs on the other side (from Camp Angelus)...and it was pretty much a trickle.

Vivian Creek is the one I did. A bonus is that there is water access for much of it.