Day: 3 | Distance: 10.1 mi | Mountain Pass: 1/10 – Cathedral Pass (9703′)
On day three of our hike on the John Muir Trail, we woke up to a beautiful mountain sunrise at Sunrise Lakes. I had a fresh coat of frost covering my sleeping bag. But the cold was no match for my 10-degree sleeping bag…
Day: 2 | Distance: 8.6 mi
Today, we leave Little Yosemite Valley Campground for Sunrise Lakes High Sierra Camp, starting our journey at a leisurely pace around 9:00 am. The trail takes us through a forest that was devastated by a wildfire in 2013. The blackened and charred trees are a stark reminde…
Day: 1 | Distance: 4.8 mi
In June 2014, four friends and I embarked on a 3-day backpacking in Yosemite. We started our hike in Tuolumne Meadows and ended it in Yosemite Valley. Our journey through this spectacular national park was filled with awe-inspiring views and thrilling hikes. Little did we kn…
There are two things I can’t stand, within the context of this article, when I’m on a backpacking trip: being hungry and returning home with food left over. A good backpacking meal plan can solve both.
The first one probably sounds pretty straightforward. Being hungry sucks. Everyone knows and u…
Distance: 13.9 miles | Hiking time: 6 hours | More trail info.
Noble Canyon Trail was named after William Noble, who was an early settler in the area during the 1800s. He was known for his success in the mining industry and his contributions to the local community. The trail was established in the 193…
The Coyote Canyon Trail hike takes you along the same path that Juan Bautista de Anza followed during his 1775-6 colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to the San Francisco bay. With water running year around in the creek, it’s easy to understand why de Anza chose to take this route through the des…
If you’ve ever run out of water on a hike, you’re not alone, and you know how scary it can be to face miles or hours without a sip.
In December 2014, I set out to hike the California Riding & Hiking Trail in Joshua Tree from Blackrock Canyon to Juniper Flats and back. The 36 mile out and back …
Eagle Peak is a frequently overlooked hike that shares a trailhead with Three Sisters Falls. It has an elevation of 3226’ and is currently ranked 69th on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of San Diego County list.
My fr…
Distance: 4 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | More trail info.
Last summer a friend and I decided to hike Three Sisters Falls. We chose the absolute worst time of year to make the trek and we were disappointed, but not surprised, to find that the falls were dry. At the time, I was less than impressed with my ex…
Distance: 6.25 miles | Hiking time: 4-5 hours | More trail info.
John, a friend I met on Instagram (@adventuregraham), asked me to join him on the Grapevine Mountain hike in the Anza Borrego Desert with him. I eagerly accepted.
Not only is Grapevine Mountain #51/100 on the Sierra Club’s 100 Peaks of S…
