Kern River Trail: Kern County

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” – Norman Maclean *Originally hiked: March 25-26, 2022 Location Mileage Elevation Gain Type Kern County 8.91 miles  741 feet Out-and-Back   Permits, Directions & Weather Permits: Permits are not required on this trail for overnight use.  I would recommend making sure you tellContinue reading “Kern River Trail: Kern County”

Mt. San Jacinto via Deer Springs Trail

snow covered mountain, but needed a training hike *Originally hiked: April 17-18, 2021 In March earlier this year, we got permits to hike the John Muir Trail in June.  It was time to train and the only way to do so, was to hit as many hard hikes locally as we can over the weekends. Continue reading “Mt. San Jacinto via Deer Springs Trail”

Convict Lake Backcountry – John Muir Wilderness

I have a confession to make.  I don’t usually like to do the same trail twice because there is just so much more trails out there to see.  But, this year I have returned a few times to the same trails, Convict Lake Backcountry being one. Convict Lake is a beautiful alpine lake just southContinue reading “Convict Lake Backcountry – John Muir Wilderness”

John Muir Trail: Day 3 & 4

A lighter climb day vs. completing the hardest pass day Day Miles Point A to Point B Elevation Gain Elevation Loss June 8  10.54 miles Just below Guitar Lake to Tyndall Creek 1,706 feet 1,909 feet June 9  13.37 miles Tyndall Creek to Vidette Meadow 2,283 feet 3,547 feet Read more of my blabberings onContinue reading “John Muir Trail: Day 3 & 4”

19 Eastern Sierra Lakes that You Have to Visit

Once upon a time in a land far far away, beyond where most Los Angeles dwellers would go, where the leaves rustle with the simplest of winds, where the lakes glisten when the sun hits them perfectly, where the wildflowers bloom after the snow melts, where the only sound you hear are the birds chirping,Continue reading “19 Eastern Sierra Lakes that You Have to Visit”

John Muir Trail: Day 1&2

Finding our rhythm on the first couple days of the trail Day Miles Point A to Point B Elevation Gain Elevation Loss June 6 7.33 miles Whitney Portal to view of Consultation Lake 3,323 feet 67 feet June 7 11.27 miles Consultation Lake to the summit of Mt. Whitney to just below Guitar Lake 2,815Continue reading “John Muir Trail: Day 1&2”

Big Pine Creek North Fork to Third Lake: John Muir Wilderness

Unfortunately this seems to be a very popular trail.  Please make sure that you practice Leave No Trace; we found a lot of trash here and there.  We found a couple campfires; it specifically says no campfires on this trail when you pick up your permits. *Originally hiked on June 9, 2019 & June 2,Continue reading “Big Pine Creek North Fork to Third Lake: John Muir Wilderness”

Ruby Lake via Mosquito Flats: John Muir Wilderness

*Originally hiked: July 13, 2019 Ruby Lake lies in the Rock Creek Lake Basin, a very popular fly fishing and hiking destination.  We opted to backpack the area and see how far we can get up to Mono Pass or past it.  It was a big snow year and with being a little out ofContinue reading “Ruby Lake via Mosquito Flats: John Muir Wilderness”

Mt. Baldy, Dawson Peak and Pine Mountain via Backbone Trail: Angeles National Forest

Most people who climb Mt. Baldy go via the Ski Hut Route and do not know that there are a few different ways up to Mt. Baldy, this one being the shorter way up, but not easier. Location Mileage Elevation Gain Type Angeles National Forest 8.2 miles 4,504 feet Out-and-back — What to Expect in this Guide —Continue reading “Mt. Baldy, Dawson Peak and Pine Mountain via Backbone Trail: Angeles National Forest”

My Picks – September 2018

That hammock you’ve always been waiting to relax in while wearing that jacket you won’t ever take off in a National Park. Check out my new picks this month!