The majestic Santa Ana Mountains cover one thousand square miles and much of the Cleveland National Forest in Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Unlike other designated wild lands close to huge population centers, the rugged Santa Anas remain largely primordial. Dominated by Old Saddleback and its twin peaks of Modjeska and Santiago, this beautiful range, visible from much of the Los Angeles Basin, remains the last intact coastal ecosystem in Southern California. Home to Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, vaqueros, sheep barons, bandits and suburban developers, the Santa Anas were traversed by mountain man Jedediah Smith, explorer John C. Fremont, lawman Wyatt Earp and other historic figures. Join author Patrick Mitchell for this first comprehensive volume on the natural and cultural histories of the great Santa Anas.

The majestic Santa Ana Mountains cover one thousand square miles and much of the Cleveland National Forest in Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties. Unlike other designated wild lands close to huge population centers, the rugged Santa Anas remain largely primordial. Dominated by Old Saddleback and its twin peaks of Modjeska and Santiago, this beautiful range, visible from much of the Los Angeles Basin, remains the last intact coastal ecosystem in Southern California. Home to Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, vaqueros, sheep barons, bandits and suburban developers, the Santa Anas were traversed by mountain man Jedediah Smith, explorer John C. Fremont, lawman Wyatt Earp and other historic figures. Join author Patrick Mitchell for this first comprehensive volume on the natural and cultural histories of the great Santa Anas.

This completely updated and expanded new edition in the Afoot and Afield series is the classic guide to the hiking opportunities throughout Southern California’s Orange County. Featuring more than 100 trips from serene summits to sparkling beaches, Afoot and Afield Orange County covers the Laguna Coast, Newport Beach, Crystal Cove State Park, the Chino Hills, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, the Santa Ana Mountains, and more. Trips ranging from short strolls to rigorous daylong treks are all within a short car trip of the Southland’s cities. Every trip was re-hiked by coauthor David Money Harris for this updated edition.

The real-life inspiration for modern-day mystery writer Elizabeth Peters's "Amelia Peabody" novels, celebrated Victorian adventuress Amelia Edwards enjoyed unexpected notoriety, for a woman, as a journalist, political activist, and world traveler. In 1872, she a female companion set off on a "ramble" through the nearly impassable Italian Dolomites, where food and shelter were chancy propositions but the scenery was gorgeous and the people friendly and welcoming. Edwards approached the expedition with humor and enthusiasm, as she regales us with the tale of the journey with the generous, vivacious spirit that made her one of her era's most daring women. - Back cover.