Today, April 22, is Earth Day—a designated time to reflect on our mother orb and determine how the hell we are going to better protect her. It’s also a great excuse to think about getting out from behind that computer screen and into the thick of some stunning California backcountry.
Chelsea Griffie is one woman who has dedicated herself to putting the green spirit back into our urban lifestyles. She goes above and beyond by targeting city kids who haven’t had the opportunity to spend much time in nature. Founder and executive director of non-profit LA Wilderness Training (LAWT) based out of The Stronghold Climbing Gym, Chelsea trains adults to effectively lead urban youth on hiking, camping and backpacking expeditions. Chelsea also co-leads what is, quite possibly, the only backpacking trip for women of color in the country through Balanced Rock Foundation, which involves backpacking, yoga and creative writing.
Chelsea Griffie of LA Wilderness Training
Chelsea Griffie with some of her Leaders
Not a stranger to urban life herself, Chelsea grew up in suburban Chicago where she dreamt of, but hardly visited, the great outdoors. Since then, she’s certainly made up for lost time. In 2001, she became the first African-American woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
These days you’re most likely to find Chelsea training her instructors or busily fundraising to empower more to explore the outdoors:
“Our big fundraiser is Hike for a Cause. Here we get hikers to summit Mt. Langley, south of Mt. Whitney, and raise either $1,000 or $2,000 for LAWT. They get cool gear, especially if they raise $2,000, like an Osprey backpack or Leki trekking poles and even if you raise $100, there's great prizes too.”
Applications for the July challenge closes on May 1, so jump on it now. Because if you’re gonna hike, why not do it for a cause? In the meantime, where can you unstrap your backpack (or park your car), throw down a tent and heed the call of nature this Earth Day? Here are Chelsea’s favorite camping spots in Los Angeles (or most within an hour or so drive):
Chilao Campground
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Palmdale, CA
Chelsea Griffie: This is a great campground. It’s very big so it can always accommodate the large groups that we take there.
Chilao. Image courtesy of @knottyskizz
At a Glance: With alpine scenery akin to the Sierras and numerous beautiful trails, Chilao is an ideal outdoor getaway.
Elevation: 5,300
Campsites: 84
Pros: Picnic tables; Vault toilets; Piped drinking water
Cons: No showers; Be aware of bear activity.
Price: Sites are $12/night first come, first serve.
Drive time from LA: One hour
Buckhorn Campground
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
CG: For a smaller group, you might like to try Buckhorn, which is not far from Chilao. It also has a great Visitor Center nearby with exhibits outlining the history of the San Gabriels and local wildlife.
Buckhorn Campground, Image courtesy of @venforth
At a Glance: The Burkhart Trail begins here and connects to a vast network of National Recreation Trails , including the High Desert NRT, the Pacific Crest NRT, and the Silver Moccasin Trail NRT.
Elevation: 6,300
Campsites: 38; 2 vehicles and 8 people max per site
Pros: A small creek nearby provides a swimming area for the summer months. Campsites among tall pines and cedars; Picnic tables; Vault toilets; Drinking water;
Cons: Be aware of bear activity.
Price: Sites are $12/night first come, first serve.
Drive time from LA: Just over an hour.
Lake Los Alamos Campgrounds
Pyramid Lake
Lebec, CA
CG: A few leaders who took our LAWT training recently brought their middle school kids here. One of the greatest things about this place is definitely the lake itself.
Los Alamos Campground. Image courtesy of @beejay1987
At a Glance: The campsite is 2.5 miles from Pyramid Lake in the hills above Santa Clarita Valley.
Elevation: 2,600
Campsites: 93 campsites; Plus, a large group campsite accommodating up to 50 people
Pros: Swimming, jet skiing, fishing and wakeboarding avail at the lake; Piped and potable water, Flush toilets; Picnic tables; Camp store;
Cost: $20/night for up to 6 people.
Drive Time from LA: 90 minutes
Canyon Campground
Leo Carrillo State Park
Malibu
CG: This one is expensive, but definitely worth it every once in awhile. Very close to the beach.
Leo Carillo State Beach. Image courtesy of @hiker2trail
At a Glance: Leo Carillo’s campground features back-country hiking as well as 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, fishing, whale watching and sunbathing.
Campsite: 130 campsites; Campsites for up to 8 people,1 vehicle and 1 towed trailer
Pros: Tide pools, coastal caves and reefs to explore; Restrooms, showers ($1 bill required), general store (firewood avail); fire pit at each site; dog-friendly, on-leash beach in specific area, Wi-FI
Cons: Reservations fill up fast, book up to 6 months in advance for a good spot.
Cost: $45/night
Drive Time from LA: 30-45 minutes
Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu, CA
CG: Also an expensive one, but within hiking distance to some really cool areas such as the M*A*S*H filming location site.
Malibu Creek State Park. Image courtesy of @kimchi4breakfast
At a Glance: Home to the Chumash tribe for centuries, Malibu Creek State Park is now known more so as the filming location for M*A*S*H and Planet of the Apes. With over 8,000 acres to explore, it’s also nicknamed SoCal’s Yosemite.
Campsites: 63 campsites, 8 people max, Group sites available for up to 100
Pros: Volcanic swimming hole (Rock Pool); Picnic area; Laundry facilities; Token showers ($1 bill required); Visitors center; Charcoal and gas stoves permitted; Fishing (Century Lake).
Cons: Dogs not allowed beyond campsites; Be aware of snakes in springtime
Cost: $45/night
Drive time from LA: 30-45 minutes
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground
Inyo National Forest
Lone Pine, CA
CG: Just south of Mount Whitney, Cottonwood is a launching pad for some great surrounding areas. The only drawback, for some, is its high elevation of 9,500 ft.
Cottonwood Lakes. Image courtesy of @shedreamsofalpine
At a Glance: Cottonwood Lakes is the southern tip of John Muir Wilderness—nearly 100 miles of preserved nature along the Sierras. Summit some epic mountains, such as one of California 14er’s, Mt. Langley, or try your hand at catching Golden Trout, California’s state fish.
Elevation: 9,500
Campsites: 12 walk-in sites (a couple hundred feet from the road); 10 equestrian sites designed for human + horse
Pros: Tent pads; shared tables; fire grates; piped water; vault toilet; bear boxes provided
Cons: Cottonwood Lakes can only be accessed on foot; One-night maximum; Wood gathering not permitted; Be aware of bears
Cost: $6/night; $12/night for equestrian sites
Drive time from LA: Around 3 hours. Thirty minutes from the town of Lone Pine.
Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. Before it was Earth Day, it was just known as her birthday, so she's conceivably boozed up and devouring cake as you read this bio. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or instagram @gos22
