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Charlie Jasper

Creator of Grubbing with Grizzly, a show on the YouTubes, slowly but surely, destined to make Californians rugged again.

Had to turn around at Barney Lake because of a horrendous sinus infection, and thinking that my old Army ALICE pack would suffice -- I was wrong.

There are significantly better works of art throughout Los Angeles both in general and specifically relating to these issues.

The only problem with this trail is, well, it gets a little crowded. But it being out of the main valley, likes he Tuolmne Meadows is (are?) for Yosemite, makes for a less overrun with annoying tourists experience in general. So while we missed the sunrise, we did get some epic shots.

Just did it this past weekend. It's almost like the Eastern Sierra, to an extent, but it needs fewer people playing music on speakers as they hike. C'mon. Seriously.

My then-fiancee (and now wife) and I went to Peru last fall (spring?!) and took the train into Aguas Calientes. We took the bus up to the park, but walked back down. I have to say, being my first foray into a jungle (really what they call "seja de selva") I am really glad I brought one thing: bug repellent. Spray-on sunscreen with bug repellent, and citronella-coated rubber bands we wore on our wrists. Absolute fun-savers.

It’s a canyon overrun with various irritating people of Hollywood. If you have no experience hiking, go to Temescal or Franklin Canyon. Far less crowded, nicer scenery, and better parking.

It's amazing. And it's really great to see how people react to being there. Stopped there on my bachelor party road trip recently (my second visit) and my friends and I were in absolute awe. The first time was with my (then brand new) fiancée and she and I were still in absolute awe. Sometimes you can have cell service, depending on atmospheric conditions, but not all the roads/locations are marked accurately on a GPS, so plot them accurately and bring a map, just in case. Also, bring water (and maybe a compass!), because it's worth exploring and getting a little bit lost in.

I went here a few weeks ago, and everything seemed to line up perfectly. While it's definitely not the most strenuous hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, it's hard enough that if you carry a pack (or a baby) you can get in a great workout. After all the rain we've had, it's beautiful now, wildflowers, tall grass, green bushes, fragrant sage, and tall trees along the gully and at the creek.

I wrote about this place as well. It's beautiful, but tons of people go there as soon as they figure it out.

Went here when I first moved back home. It didn't offer much by way of shade back then but it was super fun. Did some rappelling and scrambling up a seasonal waterfall. I had forgotten what it was called but as soon as I saw the constant waterfall (pictured) I knew it.

It's a good workout. A great workout. Not too many views of nature but it's not without its…charms…

The later you go, the more crowded it is. The Echo Mountain hike is considerably shorter than the Bridge to Nowhere (which can also get crowded depending on the time), but like Runyon Canyon this trail can get incredibly crowded if you start after 8 am. I'd say start by 7 if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet. Also, use your headphones if you're playing music. Nobody likes what you listen to when they have no choice but to hear it.

Or bring a LifeStraw (or similar). The terrain can be pretty difficult, and if you have a late start and it's warm, that'll only up the difficulty. It's an awesome hike there and back, my gripe is that sometimes you can lose sight of any discernible trail, and, well, there IS somewhere when you get nowhere. That somewhere is a bungee jump station.

Whether you're hiking, running, or just walking, it's beautiful, whether it's green or gold (never brown!). Just not at any time of day (gets really hot on summer afternoons he said obviously).

Been here once, and it's very relaxing. I can share some of the pictures with you, if you'd like to use them.