The San Fernando Valley would not be a valley if it were not surrounded by mountains. Every single hilltop surrounding the valley has multiple hiking trails on it. You can challenge yourself to do one every single day, and it would possibly take years to finish them all. In the nearby Angeles National Forest, there are over 800 miles of hiking trails.
Hiking requires equipment to match the difficulty, and length of the hike. Newer hikers tend to pack more equipment than is necessary. That results in heavy packs, sore backs, and in some cases blistered feet. Hiking should be a little challenging, but fun!
What should I pack?
A simple backpack can be plenty for a short trip up one of the local hills. Something with padded shoulder straps that can be adjusted to fit correctly are perfect. A waist belt is a nice feature, but not completely necessary for short, light trips.
When packing the pack, remember to keep items, and weight to a minimum. There is an old saying, “Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain.” Keep that in mind when adding items to the pack.
For a short day trip up a local trail, the two heaviest items in your pack are going to be food, and water. Some people love to use water bladder systems (think “Camel-Bak”), while others prefer to stick with bottles. It’s all up to the individual, both systems work well. If you have no idea how much water you will need, try taking a common ~16oz water bottle with you for every hour you plan on hiking. Along with having an extra bottle, or two waiting back in the car. Along with water, bring some snacks. You can opt for pre-mixed trail mix, or you can make your own. Try not to eat too much jerky, and trail mix, as it will suck the water from you. I have found that natural, whole foods are best. A simple sandwich, or fruits will go a long way- even on the shorter hikes.
The next item in your pack should be a small headlamp, or flashlight. Remember to keep the weight to a minimum. This light will help you navigate down the trail as the sun sets. Trails will twist, and turn with the natural formations of the hill, the shadows will vary. A small light will help you get back down the hill safely.
No hiking kit would be complete without a multi-tool. They come with all kinds of different features, shapes, sizes, and price points. A quality multi-tool can become a family heirloom. When selecting a multi tool, make sure all of the tools lock in place securely, and are safe to operate. The unit can have 50 different gadgets, but if they do not lock in place, they are worthless. Keep it simple, start with a quality knife, then look at features you may actually use. A corkscrew is great, for opening wine bottles. Unless you’re packing 750ml of vino, you do not need it. Again, keep the gadgets simple.
For short local day trips, a fully charged cell phone, and battery back up are plenty. The phone can be used for photos, gps, and to call for help if need be. Most importantly, you can use your cell phone to let others know about where you are going hiking, and approximately how long you plan on being there.
What do I wear?
Cool, comfortable, athletic clothing is best. For most days, a moisture-wicking long sleeve shirt with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating is ideal. Athletic shorts, or trousers are great options as well. When selecting clothing, always keep an eye out for the SPF ratings. There is a hiking gear industry that produces the latest, and greatest in hiking specific clothing. You can choose to purchase specific gear, and make hiking as expensive as you like: the sky is the limit.
Footwear… Your footwear selection with either make, or break your hiking trip. It does not matter how short of a trip you are on, or how difficult. For the easiest hikes, supportive athletic shoes (high top basketball/ tennis shoes) are going to be okay. If you opt for the tennis shoes, staying on dirt roads, and maintained trails is highly recommended. Hiking boots are great for those looking to blaze their own trail, or tackle rocky/ difficult terrain. A common mistake for the beginner is purchasing boots that are way too stiff for the hikes they actually plan on going on. More boot, is not always better. Make sure that your boot allows you to move comfortably.
With all footwear, wear it around town, first. Your planned hike is not the place you want to be trying on your footwear for the first time. Footwear needs to be broken in well before your hike. Not adhering to this can lead to sore feet, and even blisters.
Now that you are all packed up, let’s get started!
Select a trail, for beginners, pick one with an easy option. Griffith Park’s Observatory has some great beginner trails, and scenic views of Hollywood, and Los Angeles.
Hikes Peak has a great write-up about some of the Griffith Park Trails.
Check it out!
HikesPeak- Griffith Park Trails
Looking for some hikes in the nearby Angeles National Forest?
Head to your local sporting goods store, or ranger station to purchase your Forest Adventure Pass (Parking Pass).
Here is the Angeles National Forest Website