Whether it’s of a landscape, an unusually shaped tree, or wildlife in its natural habitat, to get that perfect shot, you need the perfect view.
Luckily for photographers, Redlands is home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the United States and there’s always the perfect photograph waiting to be taken there.
Photography Essentials
Before you set off on your hike, make sure you have given thought to the photography equipment you wish to take in your backpack. It is advisable to consider the weight of certain items, as well as how you will use them. DSLRs with a flip-out video screen are the perfect lightweight camera choice for many treks; sort out your cloud storage before you go so you don’t risk losing any important shots.
A hiking pole with a camera mount makes a great substitute for a tripod. It’s also important to ensure that your backpack is lined with waterproof material so that your equipment cannot be damaged.
Once you’re fully equipped, you’re ready to enjoy one of these top 3 Redlands trails.
DSLRs with a flip-out video screen are the perfect lightweight camera choice for many local treks.Click to Tweet
Oakmont and Oakridge Trail
Located in the Southeast of the Redlands, the Oakmont and Oakridge Trail is a 2.2-mile double loop hike that gives you some of the best landscapes in the country, including Live Oak Canyon and the San Bernardino Mountains.
There are three types of ecosystems (mature chaparral, woodlands and riparian), all of which are rich in wildlife so be ready to zoom in on coyotes, jackrabbits, woodpeckers, and rattlesnakes.
It’s open all year and is the perfect trail for beginners to start on. A little handy fact for you - the smaller loop has more shade, so it’s a good idea to stick to that when the sun has reached its apex.
Redlands Heritage Trails
Until 2008, it was impossible to map the 26 miles of rural and urban trails that make up the Redlands Heritage trails. There are twelve of them with six going through the town and along historic roads like Mariposa Drive. The other six travel through the stunning canyon regions.
Each of these trails provides breath-taking landscape views which include the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Ana River.
Caroline Park
Hidden in a residential neighborhood, Caroline Park offers a 180-degree view of the mountains that surround the Redlands. In 1987, it was re-vegetated with new flowers, shrubs, and trees so there are now over fourteen new types of bird to keep an eye out for, including red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and even a roadrunner.
You might want to keep your lens pointing upwards, but make sure you look down as well. There have been sightings of everything from gray foxes, opossums, coyotes, deer, raccoons, lizards and even snakes!
Redlands Trails photo by Annamae Holzhauser.