2021 Outdoor Gift Guide

can’t wait to get out there with some of these items? 2021 has been quite the year; I hiked the John Muir Trail, something I’ve wanted to do for over 10 years and was fortunate enough to make it work with my job, no fires, no forest closures.  I noticed in the past couple yearsContinue reading “2021 Outdoor Gift Guide”

Trail Food: To-Go Wrap

Making a wrap is one of my most favorite things to do these days for one-night backpacking trips or day hikes; you can even make this for work any day – I do, at least once a week. *Note: Not a lightweight meal, but so nice to have something fresh — Trail Food Talk — I found that justContinue reading “Trail Food: To-Go Wrap”

Trail Food: Tacos at 10,000 Feet

If you’re not above 10,000 feet and haven’t hiked at least 6 miles to get there then don’t even think about making these awesome tacos! *Note: Not a lightweight meal — Trail Food Talk — No, it wasn’t Taco Tuesday when we decided that we would pack up some ingredients to make some tacos on ourContinue reading “Trail Food: Tacos at 10,000 Feet”

Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim to Phantom Ranch

*Please note that some of the below links in this post are affiliate links. Location: Grand Canyon National Park Elevation Gain: 1800 feet Mileage: 35.6 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Type: Overnight Backpacking Plan far in advance Usually I begin with the background, this time I wanted to share my sisters beautiful artwork that will soon beContinue reading “Grand Canyon National Park: South Rim to Phantom Ranch”

Pine Creek to Honeymoon Lake – Inyo National Forest

Where: Inyo National Forest Mileage: 12 miles, option to do Pine Creek & Italy Passes adding 19 miles Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Elevation gain: 3000 ft to Honeymoon Lake Type: Out-and-back To get to the trailhead: Coming from Los Angeles from the 14 take 395. Once you pass Bishop northbound, about 12 miles down theContinue reading “Pine Creek to Honeymoon Lake – Inyo National Forest”

Steelhead Falls – Deschutes River

Where: Crooked River Ranch Mileage: 1.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Elevation gain: Little to none Type: Out-and-back   To get to the trailhead: From Terrebonne on Hwy 97 North, turn left onto Lower Bridge Road. In 2.1 miles turn right on 43rd St. 1.8 miles later to left onto Chinook Drive. 1.1 miles, make a leftContinue reading “Steelhead Falls – Deschutes River”

San Ysidro Trail – Los Padres National Forest

Where: Los Padres National Forest Mileage: 10.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Elevation gain: 3000 feet Type: Out-and-back To get to the trailhead: From US 101 South take San Ysidro exit. Turn left on San Ysidro. East Valley Rd. make a right. Park Lane. will be your next left, but keep an eye out because it’sContinue reading “San Ysidro Trail – Los Padres National Forest”

Proxy Falls – Willamette National Forest

Where: Willamette National Forest Mileage: 1.98 miles Difficulty: Easy Elevation gain: Little to none Type: Out-and-back   To get to the trailhead: From Highway 126 and 242 junction, take Hwy 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway) for 6.5 miles. You will see a Proxy Falls trailhead sign on the side of the road (easy to see). Description:Continue reading “Proxy Falls – Willamette National Forest”

Mt. Hawkins via Islip Saddle – Angeles National Forest

Where: Angeles National Forest Mileage: 10.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation gain: 2200 feet Type: Out-and-back   To get to the trailhead: From 210 take Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) for about 39 miles to Islip Saddle. The parking lot is across the street from the trailhead. Make sure you display the National Forest Adventure Pass beforeContinue reading “Mt. Hawkins via Islip Saddle – Angeles National Forest”

Peanut Lake via Meysan Lakes Trail – Inyo National Forest

Where: Inyo National Forest Mileage: 11.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Elevation gain: 3000 feet Type: Out-and-back   Permits: To hike Meysan Lakes overnight you can either walk-up and get a permit at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine for free or reserve ahead of time on http://www.recreation.gov for $5.00 per person inContinue reading “Peanut Lake via Meysan Lakes Trail – Inyo National Forest”