Anaheim, California – recommended 3 day backpacking trip?

How about driving to San Pedro (1 hour from Anaheim), catching the ferry to Catalina (Avalon), hiking across the island, then catching the ferry from Two Harbors back to Catalina?

I’m doing this with my family in the beginning of April.

That sounds like a pretty good suggestion to me, though the logistics are a little harder to work out than most loops.   Trips reports from Catalina Island look excellent.

Interesting. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tips. I’ll be sure to report back.

Google San Jacinto and San Gorgonio backpacking.

https://www.summitpost.org/san-jacinto-peak/150673

http://sgwa.org/trails/

For some reason I wasn’t able to edit my above post.  Both San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Wilderness are reminiscent of the Sierra.  Trailheads on the south side of Gorgonio wilderness can be iffy for break-ins due to proximity to Redlands.  The tram in Palm Springs offers quick access to San Jacinto high country.  Gorgo is better if you are looking for big miles.  Water will be plentiful in April.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3821642

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3821641

Or San Gabriel Mountains.  The PCT goes through them.  I used to hike a lot in the Mt Waterman area, but more day hiking.

A little closer to Anaheim

You could consider the Backbone Trail above Santa Monica. You will need to drive there and deposit water in two spots, takes only an hour or two to do. I also have a report on Catalina, another good option, as both are coastal and distinctly different experiences from the Sierra. In the case of the Backbone, it is not too difficult to Uber back.

https://www.trailnamebackstroke.com/backbone-trail-2018

https://www.trailnamebackstroke.com/trans-catalina-trail

Backbone looks interesting, not sure I can pull off 67 miles in 3 days…gotta take a closer look.

Im back next week so will do some research and let you know. Huge thanks for the recommendations. I’ve relied on these forums for trip advice numerous times. Always a great turnout 😁

Trans Catalina (island) trail is good.  Did it in late November for the second time.  Shorter is crossing the NPS part of Santa Cruz island (shorter).  Only logistics is booking the campgrounds and ferries ahead of time before they fill up.

Joshua Tree California Riding and hiking trail is an easy hike across the northern part of the park.  For an end to end shuttle, try one of the outfitters near by or hike out of the Eastern end of the park (pass where you pay to get in) and Uber back to Black Rock where you don’t need to pay.

Any section of the PCT would be good except it wouldn’t be a loop, but an out and back. Just came back from a short 3 day trip near Warner Springs, great time to be hiking the warmer sections right now.

While San Jacinto and San Gorgonio wildernesses are great summer hiking, unless we are in a severe drought, they tend to still be under snow in April (San Gorgonio pk is 11.5k and San Jacinto pk is 10.8k ft).

I’ve done no research, so please forgive the naive question…but does San Jacinto and San Gorgonio wildernesses require ice axe and crampons for a late April climb? I wouldn’t mind a little winter mountaineering trip :)