10 Favorite Apps + Sites For Epic Adventure Planning
From accommodations to wilderness permits, trail navagation and weather; I’ve narrowed down 10 favorite websites and apps that help me plan out epic adventures.
Read MoreAuthor: Vanessa Temblador
Vanessa is an outdoors enthusiast, hiker at heart, and the storyteller behind Forever She Wanders; a women's lifestyle + travel blog inspiring all to get outdoors, seek adventure and live an active lifestyle. As an outdoors enthusiast, Vanessa has found passion in being outdoors while backpacking, camping, hiking and creating memories of a lifetime.
Backpacking Shamrock Lake With My Sisters
Being able to actually show my sisters just exactly why I don’t mind the 6-hour drive to Mammoth is probably one of my favorite ways to get them outdoors and in the backcountry. It was Anjoelina’s very first backpacking trip, and Brittany’s 10th (or so); and to have them both here with me in Mammoth was something special.
Read MoreBackpacking Mammoth Crest Loop
The California wildfires this year were heart-breaking, to say the least. Our hiking community has been affected by trail-closures, canceled hiking permits and plans this summer.. oh, and not to forget- we’re currently in the middle of a pandemic. Once places started to safely open up to the public; hikers and backpackers, like myself, took full advantage of getting back on the trail.
Read MoreLovin’ Lately: Alpen Organics CBD
As I dive into my journey with CBD, I’d like to introduce to you Alpen Organics. My friends over at AO continue to raise the bar by providing the best CBD products on the market.
Read MoreBehind the Trail Scene: A Poem
I look forward to the day, I get to look back and say, that I’m proud to have followed my dreams. As I sit on the couch with the fear of missing out, I present to you.. Behind the Trail Scene.
Read MoreEarly Spring Soak: Arizona Hot Springs
When there’s too much snow in our local mountains, you’ll most likely catch me warming up somewhere in the desert. The month is February and this was my first backpacking trip of the year. We headed out to Arizona for the weekend, to explore hot springs that had been on our list for awhile.
Read MoreWashed Her Spirit Clean, Farewell 32.
Today is the 4th of July, which means tomorrow is my birthday and today is the last day of being 32.
Read MoreBackpacking Blue Lake in John Muir Wilderness
2019 was my year of backcountry memories and alpine lakes. From Washington during spring and Colorado in the summer, I was lucky to be able to dip my toes in a few alpine lakes last year. No matter how far I travel, I’m always sure to remain grateful for the beauty of my backyard, even though a 6-hour drive from LA, the Eastern Sierra forever has my heart.
Read MoreNot This Time Mount Whitney…
Not only is my pack 29.5 lbs, and not only are we and planning to hike the tallest mountain in America, and not only are we planning to be on trail for the next 5-days, while attempting to hike two 14ers, while I haven’t even hiked my first one, but this morning I decided to start my period.
Read MoreTears From A Colorado Sunset
It’s the last official day of our 3-day journey here in Colorado. After spending 3-days at 3 different lakes, our journey has come to an end. The sunsets here have been nothing short of amazing, but I guess they don’t call it Colorful Colorado for nothing.
Read More2019: End of the Year Solo Roadie
No plans for the holiday, so I decided to hit the road for a few days. My 900-mile journey to Utah and 2019 reflections.
Read MoreMy First Cowboy Camp: Backpacking Ontario Peak
Cowboy camping: camping outside on the floor, without a tent or any shelter.
Read MoreBackpacking 20 Lakes Basin & Saddlebag Lake Loop
There are some places that you keep returing to because it just feels right. So, how many times do you visit a place before fully exploring it?
Read MoreA Simple Guide: Wilderness Backpacking
** I would like to share with you my guide to backpacking and some tips on how you could prepare for your first trip. I am not an expert and this should be used only as a guide which is based on my opinions and experiences. ** Day hiking is fun but have you ever hiked a trail and just wanted to stay […]
Read MoreHiking California’s 3rd Tallest Peak
This specific weekend, the weather had different plans for our alpine lake adventure; strong winds in the late afternoons kept us from heading out into the backcountry but did not keep us from hiking California’s 3rd tallest peak, White Mountain. At 14,252 ft.
Read MoreBackpacking Mineral king loop
This was the first time I’ve heard of the Mineral King Loop- a 39-mile hike that loops around some of the most pristine mountains and alpine lakes in the Sequoias! On average, this loop is usually done over 5-days, and we completed it within an extended 3-day weekend.
Read MoreThrowback: Memorial Day Weekend Roadie
With the extended weekend ahead, Tiffany and I planned out our next big road trip where we ended up driving 1,543 miles spending 4 days and 4 nights wandering 2 states, exploring 3 state parks, 1 national park and a quick overnighter in Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Read MoreBackpacking in the San Juan Mountains
Over Labor Day weekend, three friends and I took a road trip to Colorado for an extended weekend of backpacking to some of the most amazing alpine lakes in the San Juan mountains! During our trip of three days and three nights, we hiked over 15+ miles and explored 3 of the most colorful alpine lakes I had ever seen!
Read MoreLovin’ Lately: Advanced Elements Packlite Kayak
It is without doubt that I very much enjoy backpacking to alpine lakes. It’s pretty much all I live for during the warm summer months! It was not until last year that I added a children’s floatie to my summer gear list and let me tell you, trekking in that extra pound is totally worth […]
Read MoreLovin’ Lately: Vie Activewear
As an avid hiker, comfort and support are two main qualities I seek when on the lookout for my next hiking outfit, and thanks to Vie Active, I have no problem finding not only those qualities, but apparel that is designed for performance AND is cute too! Originating from Bondi Beach, Australia and currently based […]
Read MoreSolo Backpacking: Reasons To & Tips How
Sometimes you just need to disconnect and enjoy your own company. Of course, most backpacking tips begin with the instruction of never going alone, but once you’ve successfully completed your first solo trip, the feeling of accomplishment is inevitable! I try to plan a solo backpacking trip once a year and if i’m being completely honest- […]
Read MoreBackpacking Channel Islands: Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the largest of seven that make up the Channel Islands. Located 20 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara county, this national park is a backpacker’s dream! We spent four days on the island hiking, camping and one big backpacking trip towards the end of our journey on Santa Cruz Island.
Read MoreWander Washington: 10- day Road Trip
Summertime in the mountains mean longer days, alpine lakes, mosquitoes bites and no road trip is complete without a little misadventure.
Read MoreBackpacking: Eastern Sierra at Big Pine Lakes
Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail is located in Inyo National Forest on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada and is a pretty popular area known for day hiking, camping, fishing and backpacking. If you’ve been, you know exactly why! There are a total of 7 lakes that follow along the North Fork trail. With the amount of snow the Sierra received last winter, we planned to only hike to the second lake.
Read MoreBackpacking Duck Pass Trail to Pika Lake
Duck Lake Trail in the John Muir Wilderness is a popular trail that consists of alpine lakes, mountain views, wildflowers and a decent climb for a day hike or even an overnight backpacking trip. A little less than 10 miles round-trip, this trail passes three alpine lakes before climbing Duck Pass to Duck Lake.
Read MoreA Happi-NessA Project
A Happi-Nessa ProjectSelf-love, Reflection, Care + Discovery The month started off a little rough. I knew I wasn’t happy. I knew I wanted to make a change. And I knew what needed to be done. So I did it. Since starting this project I’ve accomplished: re-joining and actually going to the gym, mindful eating, daily […]
Read MoreSouthwest Roadie
When a friend asks you to go explore some of America’s Southwest deserts you don’t question the reasons as to why you simply join in on the excitement and make it happen. The most exciting thing for me was that she already had a tentative plan and a majority of the places on her list, I hadn’t even heard of!
Read MoreProject Happiness
December is a good month for reflection. A time to reflect on the past year and all of your accomplishments and mishaps. It is also a good month to brainstorm on what you want out of life, what to look forward to and set goals to works towards in the coming year. The month of […]
Read MoreBackpacking the Valley of Little Lakes
Trail so nice, I’ve hiked it, well.. several times this summer; twice backpacking and twice day hiking! Easy enough for beginner hikers with views that you don’t necessarily have to “work” for, although the hike is rated as “moderately strenuous” due to the elevation at the trail head,which is 10,000 ft.
Read More5 Life Lessons Learned on the Road
Road trips do more than just get you to your destination. A road trip is a journey, and as with any journey, there are lessons to learn and mistakes to be made. Road trips have somewhat become the norm for us. From a quick weekend getaway to Mammoth to Our Epic 24 Day Road Trip, […]
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