Giant old-growth redwood trees, lush forest, babbling creeks and beautiful waterfalls–there is plenty to love about this nearly 11 mile loop hike to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park, and features the largest stand of coastal redwoods south of San Francisco. These are tall […]
The Nine-Peak Challenge
The Nine-Peak Challenge is a really intense route that took two SoCal hikers up nine (yes, NINE) peaks including San Gorgonio — the highest in Southern California — in one really long day hike. Thanks to Jen and Dave for sharing their photos and this epic trip report. Dave and I met at the Starbucks […]
After-Hike Social Survival Kit
You’ve been on the trail hiking for six hours. You made the summit all-smiles, and got back safely to the trailhead. You huffed and puffed. You sweat. Your body is complaining–“Why are you doing this to me?!” What you don’t want to do is stuff your sweaty, grimy body into your car for the ride back […]
Don Viejo: 85 Years Young and Seeking Female Hiking Partner
Several weeks ago when I was hiking the five summits again, I ran into this spry hiker putting up flyers on trees on some of the hiking trails in the San Gabriel Mountains. Don Viejo is his trail name, he is 85 years young and he’s looking for a female hiking companion. And we’re not talking about leisurely walks […]
Outdoor Mistakes: Navigation Overconfidence
It was our second day of a 22-day thru-hike on the epic John Muir Trail. I was the ring-leader — I had organized the trip, recruited three willing hikers, obtained the permit and got us to Yosemite Valley a couple days earlier. I had been to Yosemite many times. I had even hiked the JMT […]
Government Shutdown: Where You Can Still Hike in SoCal
At 12:01 AM, October 1, 2013, the federal government shut down. While we wait for Congress to do the right thing, National Parks are officially closed to hiking and camping. I’ve got many friends who had plans for visiting nearby National Parks, and for now, those plans are dashed. Here’s what this means to hikers and […]
Thru-Hiking the JMT: A Zero Day at Vermilion Valley Resort
Day 10 on the John Muir Trail… Today was a special day. Today was a zero day — hiker-speak for a rest day or “zero-mileage” day. And Vermilion Valley Resort was the perfect place for it. VVR caters to thru-hikers and fisherman, and is a popular resupply stop on both the JMT and the Pacific Crest Trail […]
Thru-Hiking the JMT: Devil’s Postpile to Deer Creek
Day 7 on the John Muir Trail… We were tired from our 13 mile hike yesterday, and this would be an easy day. We would feast at the Mulehouse Cafe at Red’s Meadow, pick up our second resupply package, have a surprise visit from some old friends, and hike only half our normal average — […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.