Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Stunning views from Bald Mountain

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a located in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. Last month, we hit the road to Northern California, spending a few days enjoying Sonoma — my first time visiting. There are many wonderful wineries and restaurants in the area, and of course, one of the wonderful benefits of hiking, is [...]

Fish Canyon Falls

Fish Canyon Falls panorama

Looking for an awesome, easy waterfall hike in Southern California? Check out the Fish Canyon Falls. This 80 foot tall waterfall has three tiers and a beautiful, clear pool at the the bottom. The trail itself winds along a tree-lined canyon beside a babbling creek. The payoff? An awesome waterfall, without having to climb thousands [...]

Escondido Falls

Upper Escondido Falls in Malibu

Waterfalls in Malibu? You bet! In fact, the multi-tiered, 150 foot Escondido Falls are the highest waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an easy hike through oak-lined Escondido Canyon, just off Pacific Coast Highway in the middle of Malibu. There are a few of things you should know before you hike to Escondido [...]

Chiquito Falls Trail

Chiquito Falls

When you think of hiking in Orange County, you don’t usually envision dramatic waterfalls. But during the spring, there are a number of wonderful seasonal waterfalls that are just a hike away. One of my personal favorites is Chiquito Falls. This hike is a 9 mile out-and-back route with nearly 3,000′ of vertical elevation gain. [...]

Holy Jim Trail to Santiago Peak

Cascades in Holy Jim Canyon

At 5,689 feet, Santiago Peak — often referred to locally as Saddleback Mountain — is the tallest peak in Orange County. And one of the best routes up to the summit is the Holy Jim Trail. This strenuous, 15 mile out-and-back hike climbs over 4,000 feet through beautiful mountain terrain not usually associated with Orange [...]

Memorial Weekend in Yosemite

Yosemite Valley from Upper Yosemite Falls trail

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Joan and I met up some new outdoor friends to go camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park. Jeff A., our third partner in our upcoming John Muir Trail adventure, introduced us to a terrific group. I had never attempted to visit a national park on Memorial Day weekend, but [...]

Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flats

Panorama of the LA basin from Sturtevant Trail

Standing prominently above Pasadena, Mount Wilson is a Southern California landmark. The 5,710 foot summit is home for an observatory responsible for the most detailed photos of Mars as well a vast array of antennae for local LA radio and television stations. While the summit is steeped in astronomical wonder and tremendous views of Los Angeles, the [...]