New to area...

[Asleep@theReel]

Hi all,

My wife and I just moved to the area from NY and used to hike the Adirondacks there. Well we wanted to get hiking locally here....

Where near Banning, CA are there good trails. I looked in the Gazetteer I have, and none are listed.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks in advance...
Asleep

[Hikin_Jim]

You just hit the jackpot. You're right in between the two best (in my opinion) hiking spots in Southern California: The San Bernardino Mountains to your north and the San Jacinto Mountains to your south.

If I may make a recommendation, go to your local bookstore or Amazon and look for John Robinson's, "Trails of the San Bernardinos," which I think is a really good trail guide for the area. http://www.amazon.com/San-Bernardino-Mo ... 0899974090 This is just a suggestion on my part; Jerry Schad and John McKinney both have good reputations as authors of trail guides. I don't know that they have a book that focuses specifically on the San Bernardinos and San Jacintos, but you could browse through whatever they have at your local book store.

You could also just go to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway any weekend, ride the tram up (a bit pricey but worth it), and then go to the book store that is run by volunteer rangers. They'll have some decent maps and things. You can take some really nice hikes right from the top of the tram. Note: Right now there's a lot of snow up there.

Welcome to the board and to some great hiking country.

[Asleep@theReel]

Thanks for your reply, it is very helpful and informative. I will pick up that book for sure!
It is so beautiful here, and I want to take full advantage of my surroundings.
I also am an avid trout fisherman, and I am sure we have some running water somewhere up there!
Thanks again, your help is greatly appreciated!

[Hikin_Jim]

You're welcome.

The S. Fork of the Santa Ana River along highway 38 is often stocked by the Dept. of Fish and Game. Make sure you have a license in plain sight!

[halhiker]

Hot Creek near Big Bear is supposed to be a good fly fishing spot. I hear Bob Marriott's Fly Fishing Store in Tustin is THE place for flyfishing. They have an online store [url]bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com[/url]

I agree San Bernardino Mountain Trails is a good book to start with. It's got lots of hikes in your area and a few in the desert.

[Asleep@theReel]

Great information all...
and it is greatly appreciated!