SoCal Six Pack

If you live in Los Angeles and you want to train for any of the big hikes in the area like Whitney or Half Dome, these are the go to training hikes. It's six peaks, all within 2 hours of LA. Most of the mountains have multiple trails leading to the summit. I included the routes that I took, but there are shorter and longer options for all of these. Depending on what order you do them, may determine which approach to take. These hikes will help train you for elevation gain, hiking in altitude, and just sheer length. Being on your feet all day is it's own kind of training (ask anyone who has worked a double at a restaurant or a catering event where they love to tell you that you aren't allowed to sit down for the entirety of the event. I hate catering and I will die before I ever do it again. I don't want to shine silverware or glasses over and over again to look busy and to make some asshole feel like they have a purpose. Let us sit down until people get here and then again when they are drunk and dancing. They don't need to see me walking around the room or bothering people that just want to be left alone.) So these are some good hikes to track your progress. 


This is a photo from my San Bernardino Peak hike to serve
 as the photo that pops up when I post this blog somewhere. 

Mt. Wilson

13.7 miles/ 4,416 ft elevation gain/ loop trail

Mt. Wilson is the closest in proximity to LA of the SoCal Six Pack. There are so many different trails leading up to the top. There's also an observatory, so if you are truly at the beginning of your hiking journey, you can just drive to the top and walk around. I did one of the harder trails to the top which actually takes a detour to Sturtevant Falls if you haven't been there yet. I've only hiked Mt Wilson once and it was extremely overcast when I did it. It's the smallest of the mountains on this list, but you can get a workout on it if you want to. As far as altitude training goes, this is the lowest, which makes it a great introductory hike. Depending on your fitness level, just pick a trail thats right for you and what you are comfortable with. There are trails as short as 5 miles up to the top. This is a really beautiful area and can be hiked almost year round (It does get snow, but not often and not for long).   

Mt Wilson hike on an overcast spring day






Cucamonga Peak
11.6 miles/ 4,314 ft elevation gain/ out and back

This is truly one of my favorite hikes. I didn't know why I loved it so much. But I recently met this older hiking aficionado on another hike, and he mentioned that Cucamonga is known for having a magical/mystical quality and it gave me such joy. I knew I felt something special there and it turns out others feel the same. This hike has a little bit of everything: Steep incline, riverside traipsing, gorgeous ridge lines, and a instagram worthy photo finish. The altitude is 3,000 ft higher than Mt. Wilson, but to me the hike was extremely doable. If you are not accustomed to altitude, you may struggle with this one. But it's a perfect hike to stretch that muscle. 



Cucamonga Summit


Gorgeous Summit Views from Cucamonga



Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)

11.5 miles/ 3,940 ft elevation gain/ loop trail

This is one of the most famous hikes in the Los Angeles Area. Probably because of the recognizable bald peak. I did enjoy it, but honestly this had more of a check it off the list quality for me. This mountain has claimed a lot of lives for attempting to do the devils backbone in the snow. So if you are new to hiking and especially snow hiking, maybe keep this as a summer activity. There are multiple trails you can take for this hike, I would recommend a loop just to switch things up. The ski hut side is honestly a little lackluster for my liking, but the backbone portion is incredible. This is a great hike for the middle of your training journey.

Summit Views from Mt. Baldy

Sunset Views on the way down


Mt. San Jacinto

10.5 miles/ 2,644 ft elevation gain/ out and back

This mountain is extremely recognizable, especially if you've ever been to Joshua Tree or Palm Springs. San Jacinto is covered in snow for almost the entire winter and it is surrounded by vast expanses of desert. So you can't miss it. I did this hike from the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway. The tram is very fun, and the hike is extremely manageable. Especially if you've already been acclimated to altitude at this point. It will feel like a little jaunt in comparison to some of the others. There is an extremely difficult version of this hike that is called Cactus to the Clouds which is on my bucket list. You literally start in the desert and end on top of a sub alpine mountain. Truly a one of a kind experience (that I will only attempt in the spring or fall when I, myself, am in adequate shape.) But for real, make a weekend of it. Enjoy the desert and the mountains in the same day! 

Views from San Jacinto


Mt San Jacinto Summit/ My 6th peak when I did the 6 pack.


San Bernardino Peak

16.9 miles/ 4,721 ft elevation gain/ out and back

I love this hike! It's not too far from Big Bear if you want to plan a little vacay out of it. It's a long hike but pretty gradual as far as the incline goes. You do a lot of the work right at the jump. There's a life saving portion in the middle called the Manzanita Flats that will feel like a much welcomed mile of reprieve on the way up and on the way down. The summit itself is a little anti climactic, but there are views literally all along the way. Gorgeous day in the mountains guaranteed. 


San Bernardino Summit




San Gorgonio Peak (Old Grayback)

19 Miles/ 5,492 ft elevation gain/ Out and Back

This should definitely be last on the list. It is by far the most difficult hike. You're not getting any shorter in length then this 19 mile route (and that is being conservative). It is the tallest peak in Southern California (11,503 ft) and you will feel it! The last mile is a kicker and you will most likely feel the altitude on this one. It's a beautiful hike and is literally the perfect training hike for Whitney. If you can do this without too much difficulty, Whitney will be no problem at all (physical fitness wise). Here's another hike where you get a little bit of everything. There is some light rock scrambling at the top, but nothing you won't have seen before. This is another peak that will have snow on it for most of the year, so June-November is going to be your best bet for minimal snow/ice. I did this as a solo hike and it gave me plenty of time to think about how long this freaking hike is. 


San Gorgonio Summit


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