Pick your hike, pick your pace

There’s a wilderness out there, Southlanders, more than 650,000-plus federally designated miles of it right on our doorsteps. Author Adkison breaks it down to the 60 best trails, rated for degree of difficulty and hiking time, and surveyed down to the availability of water.

Sweat hog or stroller, there’s a hike here for you. Meander through the Mojave Desert’s Kelso Dunes, crossing paths with feral burros, mule deer and roadrunners. Discover Darwin Falls, a riparian grotto tucked deep in a Death Valley canyon. Survey smoggy civilization from atop San Gorgonio’s 11,499-foot peak. Share panoramic backcountry vistas and shady gullies on San Gabriel’s Bear Creek Trail with a passing bear or mountain lion.

In addition to well-organized, trail-specific info, there’s a valuable Art of Hiking section full of useful nit and grit, from backwoods etiquette to first aid to navigation -- even advice on how to get your city hound in shape for the rigors of trekking.

Susan Dworski