Winter Wanders and Ponders

Happy New Year! Take a little time out this winter for walks of wonders, and wonderings. Here are some peaceful hikes to do in beautiful nature respites.

Week: 01.01.2025
Regions: Southern CA

Ideal in Idyllwild

Hike Idyllwild South Loop Trail in Idyllwild Park

Woman standing on hiking trail in Idyllwild, overlooking sunset and mountain scenery
The 2.2-mile Idyllwild South Loop in Idyllwild Park is short on miles but big in every other way possible. With epic panoramic vistas, serene forests, and a big climb in elevation, this trail packs a lot into its shorter length.
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Magic Trip

Fly Nonstop to Telluride this Winter

winter in telluride
winter in telluride
christmas in telluride
skiing in telluride
Ready for a magic trip? It doesn’t get more magical than a luxurious winter vacation where you’re surrounded by enchanting 14,000-foot mountains in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Telluride is a storybook winter escape.
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Enchanted in Chantry

Hike a Quieter Trail at Chantry Flat in Los Angeles

Chantry Flat is one of the most popular hiking areas in LA, but the 5.3-mile (round-trip) Hoegees Campground via Upper and Lower Winter Creek Loop Trail proves you can find peace and quiet anywhere, even in busy Los Angeles.
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City Looper

Hike the La Sierra Trail Loop in Chino Hills

Located right in the middle of a city, the La Sierra Trail Loop in Chino Hills still manages to feel like an escape to nature, packing in 395 feet of elevation gain to get your blood flowing and your legs moving.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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  1. Sponsored

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

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  2. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  3. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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