Does Anyone Know a Great Sunset/Sunrise View from Mt San J.?

[PageZ]

My husband and I really enjoy hiking and our children are still young (4-9 years old), but can go a few miles up and a few miles back. My husband and I just got back from Maui ($380 roundtrip including airfare - yes, you read that correct - for 4 days via Pleasant Holidays). We have hiked Kuaui before and loved it, but our trip was so short that we regrettably did not get to the famous Haleakala Crater, famous for its fabulous sunset views at 10,000 feet.

We must have some equally breathtaking views of the sunrise at a very high summit here in Southern California. We are fairly new here and have done most of our hiking in N. California. Can anyone recommend where we might be able to bring our children to view one of California's spectacular sunrises from a high elevation? Check out this picture of sunrise from the Haleakala Crater:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ReviewPhotos ... ml#1241183

Thanks!

[lilbitmo]

Depending on your family skill level and the equipment you have, if you wait another 6-8 weeks as the snow melts, Baldy might be your best bet as it's easier to get everyone up there on the main trail that starts at Manker Flats - It's 4.6 miles to the summit, it's 4,000 feet elevation gain, but you would have to start at 3 AM to get to the summit for sunrise, maybe sooner, I've done it both in winter, spring, fall when the nights are longer, summer time you would need to go up the night before.

You could try to contact the Sierra Club folks that run the "Ski Hut" that is the half way point and see if the host has room for you and the family, spend the night and leave at 5 AM for the 2 hour push to the summit for sunrise. Remember that Day Light Saving Time starts soon so time frames for starting would have to be adjusted for that as well.

Good luck.

[ajwoodzy]

When the snow melts (or even before) you could check out Black Mountain in the San Jacintos. You can drive almost all the way up when the snow is off the road, but it requires a good vehicle for that. There are quite a few places in the San Jacintos where you can have good sunrise/sunset views...

[KathyW]

Head to the desert for great sunrises this time of year.

[hikehigh]

I agree with Kathy. Try Fonts Point in Anza Borrego. I wouldn't take a 4 year old up the Mt. Baldy Ski Hut Trail. (Unless you don't mind carrying them a lot of the way)

[FIGHT ON]

That looks like a lake on fire!

[kane]

I agree with Kathy. Try Fonts Point in Anza Borrego. I wouldn't take a 4 year old up the Mt. Baldy Ski Hut Trail. (Unless you don't mind carrying them a lot of the way)

that is a great pic.

[phydeux]

1. Hike from the Tram into Round Valley and stay overnight, then get up early (pre-dawn) the next day and hike back to the Tram area. Go over to the east end of the snowplay area and you'll eventually come to an overlook where you can see Palm Springs and the sunrise.

Google 'Joshua Tree National Park' and you'll be able to find a map with these two:

2. Keys View out in Joshua Tree Natl Park (its a 'drive-up', and can get crowded)

3. Lost Horse Mtn in JTNP (NE of Keys View, about 1 1/2 miles hiking or Mtn biking on a dirt road/track. Most likely you'll have the place to yourself).