One of my “stealth camps”
Fortunately, I live 5 minutes from mountain trails that lead hikers from desert-like chaparral to cool, riparian canyons, streams, rich wildlife and… lots of people. Hey, it’s LA after all
The farther I hike into the hills, the thinner the crowds. Most of the local backpacking camps are about 3 miles in from the trailhead. By Friday night, most camps are full; on Saturdays, finding an actual campsite (picnic table, fire ring and tidy, tent-size dirt lot), is nearly impossible, especially during warmer months.
One way I beat the crowds, tent cities