One of my favorite birthday traditions is heading out into the backcountry. I was lucky to snag a permit to hike the Deer Lakes Loop in Mammoth Lakes.
Yosemite Backcountry: A Quick Overnight on the Pohono Trail
“I’m so glad you mentioned Crocker Point, most people skip that one,” said the ranger issuing my wilderness permit. She was right, days after Memorial Day and I enjoyed Crocker Point to myself. The Pohono Trail: Glacier Point to Dewey Point was the trail I chose for my second backpacking trip that week. This is my story for a quick overnighter on the Pohono Trail last month.
Mud & Waterfalls: Backpacking the Hetch Hetchy Loop
I completed the Hetch Hetchy Loop which covers nearly 30-miles, offering stunning views of mountain lakes, waterfalls, the reservoir, and lots and lots of mud.
Spring Solitude: Backpacking the Los Padres National Forest
I backpacked the Manzana Creek Trail many many years ago. I remember the creek crossings, the well-maintained trail, and all of the cute little backcountry campsites that are available for backpackers. I do not remember there being an issue with ticks, but I was just a beginner backpacker then with little to no knowledge of ticks.
Ticks Ruined My First Backpacking Trip of the Season
The Califiornia central coast is a place I like to roam when there’s too much snow for my enjoyment in the Sierra. I try to take an annual trip to Big Sur for backpacking in the spring when the creeks are flowing and the weather is nice. I was looking forward to a new trail, one I hadn’t hiked before since I was use to returning to the same few trails year after year.
Hike and Explore Red Mountain No. 3 in Colorful Colorado
Starting from Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway, the Red Mountain Number 3 Trail is one hike that should not be missed! I was so happy to be able to meet up with a longtime friend while she was living in Silverton for the season, and we knocked this hike out in September when the weather was absolutely beautiful and refreshing.
Eastern Sierra Backpacking: Lake Sabrina Basin to Donkey Lake
The journey from Lake Sabrina Basin to Donkey Lake is a backpacking experience that combines challenge with beauty. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle of daily life, and immerse yourself in the magic of the Eastern Sierra.
Conquering CO’s Highest Peak: A Hiker’s Guide to Mt. Elbert
Have you hiked a 14er? A 14er is a mountain peak rising 14,000 feet above sea level. There are 58 fourteeneers in Colorado and at 14,439 ft. Mt. Elbert is Colorado’s tallest. If you’re up for a challenging yet rewarding hike, Mt. Elbert is the perfect choice. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essentials for a successful ascent.
Backpacking To Lake Dorothy: An Awesome Eastern Sierra Hidden Gem
Lake Dorothy, a high alpine lake in the Eastern Sierra, is accessible via a 5.8-mile trail starting at Convict Lake. Located in Inyo National Forest, the lake is best visited between May and October. However, a major creek crossing before Mildred Lake is not recommended as of December 2023. Wilderness permits are required for backpacking.
The Blue Lakes Trail: An Epic Colorful Colorado Day Hike
The Blue Lakes Trail in Ridgway, CO offers a moderately challenging 8.7-mile round-trip hike with 3 alpine lakes: Lower, Middle, and Upper. Despite some stream crossings, the non-technical trail is well-maintained. The mid-September hike, featuring moody weather and transitioning wildflowers, offered a serene experience. Despite unideal weather, the stunning lakes made for a memorable day hike.
A Beautiful SoCal Gem: Sunset Hike at Vetter Mountain Lookout
Vetter Mountain, located in Angeles National Forest, CA, is a trail that offers a 3.8-mile round-trip hike to an active fire lookout, named after a dedicated forest ranger, Victor P. Vetter. The hike is moderate and requires at least 2 liters of water due to no water access on the trail. The trail is best navigated by taking the fire road to the top from Charlton Flat Picnic Area, offering rest stops and picnic areas along the way.
The Best Alpine Lake Hike: Lamarck Lakes Trail
The Lamarck Lakes trail is a 4.6-mile round-trip located near Bishop, CA in the Eastern Sierra. Starting from North Lake Campground, it gains 1,564ft in elevation and crosses Lamarck Creek twice. The hike to Upper Lamarck Lake from Lower Lamarck Lake is just over half a mile. A backpacking wilderness permit is required.
The Best Summer Backpacking: Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park
The Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park offers amazing views of three amazing alpine lakes: Heather, Emerald and Pear Lakes. The trail is popular for day-hiking, but I would always recommend an overnight trip whenever possible.
Surviving & Thriving on the Colorado Trail
Trip Date: August 23-29, 2023 Location: Tennessee Pass to Boss Lake Reservior CT Mile: 142.9 – 235.4 It’s the first day back on the trail after a nero in Leadville. A ‘nero’ is hiking near zero miles for the entire day. Back at Tennessee Pass, we’d make our way to Twin Lakes where we’d confirm …
A Colorado Trail Thru Hike 2023: The Beginning
Mentally I starting to compare my JMT journey to my current Colorado Trail thru hike.