It’s here. The first inevitable heat wave of the year has arrived in California after a cool and wet winter and spring. While the worst of it may be over for now, it could also mark the beginning of a long, hot summer , according to forecasters.
That doesn’t mean abandoning all outdoor activities that don’t involve a pool or the ocean. Summer has never been my favorite time of year to hike, but I don’t completely give up on the trails. There’s something refreshing about escaping the sun under the wide, welcoming canopies of oaks and sycamores and listening to the rush (OK, maybe trickle) of water flowing.
Summer also makes it easier to indulge in a hike after work or to tackle longer treks since there’s ample time to get back to the trailhead before dark. Two of my favorite hot-weather hikes — Monrovia Canyon Falls and Sturtevant Falls in Big Santa Anita Canyon — are closed indefinitely, due to ongoing repairs and recovery from wildfire and mudslide-related damage. Fortunately, I have found some worthy substitutes that offer pleasant, if not absolute, respites from the summer heat — especially if you start early and bring plenty of water.
Pro tip: Freeze your water bottles or fill them with ice before you head out. You’ll be rewarded mid-hike with an ice-cold drink at the time you could use it most. Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim Hills It’s hard to truly appreciate the quiet beauty of Oak Canyon until you drive through the housing tracts and office pa.
