
Guides
All Trails: Reviews and downloadable GPS maps
The Hiking Guy: Practical turn-by-turn trail guides without all the flexing
Modern Hiker: Smart, detailed trail guides, and no one knows more about Griffith Park than founder Casey Schreiner
SoCal Hiker: Godfather of the Six Pack of Peaks challenge
3-Season Gear
Boot: Salomon X Ultra 3 Aero
Après Hike: Hoka One One Recovery Slides
Day Pack: Osprey Tempest 20
Running Vest: Triwonder Hydration Pack
Hydration: Osprey Hydraulics 1.5L and Osprey Hydraulics 3L
Trekking Poles: Sterling Endurance
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 325
Sportwatch: Apple
Lightweight Jacket: Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody
Insulated Jacket: Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
Windbreaker/Light Rain: Salomon Agile Wind
Hiking Hat: REI Co-op Screeline Cap and Sahara Outback Cape Hat
First Aid: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
Energy: SaltStick Fast Chews and ProBar Meals
Insect Repellent: DEET Free REPEL
Camera: GoPro Hero8 Black
Memory: SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB
Portable Charger: Anker PowerCore 26,800mAh
Parking: SoCal Annual Forest Adventure Pass
Safety Tips
- Leave an itinerary w a friend
- Use a GPS tracker
- Study the trail ahead of time
- Carry first aid
- Give wildlife a wide berth
- One earphone or none at all
- Watch where you step
- Carry a loud whistle or alarm
- Bring a piece of bright clothing*
- Know when to turn back (13:00)
- Stay hydrated—if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated
- Check ahead for conditions (fire, snow, rain, heat exposure, height exposure, overgrowth, blowdowns)
- Know your limits and prepare accordingly (altitude**, vertigo, fitness, endurance)
- Be ready for an emergency (water, layers, headlamp, sunscreen, water filtration system)
*Most trails discourage bright clothing, but keep one visible article on hand to assist with SAR location
**I can’t make any medical claims re. effectiveness, but for altitude I rely on either liquid chlorophyll (OTC), COQ10 (OTC), or Diamox (prescription)—or some combo thereof. Note that Diamox is a diuretic which might be inconvenient on the trail.
Etiquette
- Right of way: Bikers yield to hikers, descending hikers yield to ascending hikers, all hikers yield to horses
- No music from speakers
- Use quiet voices
- Say “hello” and “thank you”
- Don’t take shortcuts (protect trails from erosion and flora from damage)
- Don’t let young children roam free on difficult trails, for their safety and others’
- Do not remove anything from the trail (incl. pine cones and dried plants) unless it’s other people’s trash
- Pack out your trash, be aware of loose bits falling from your pack
- Wear a mask when passing, as directed by public health agencies