SoCal Hiker

GEAR REVIEW: Patriot Cooler

We had been hiking for over six hours. We were hot, thirsty and tired. We were grateful for that first glimpse of the car back at the trailhead. Finishing 12 miles hiking one of the Six-Pack of Peaks, there's nothing better than getting back to the trailhead … [Read More]

Sign-up for Adventure in 2019

I love a good adventure, and part of the fun is in the planning. Whether it's preparing for a big trip like thru-hiking the John Muir Trail, or something shorter like the Trans-Catalina Trail, I love poring over maps, planning meals and getting ready for good … [Read More]

7 Post-Thanksgiving Hikes to Burn Off the Bird

The average American consumes 3,000 to 4,500 calories in their Thanksgiving Day celebrations, according to the Calorie Control Council. So instead of diving into the madness that is Black Friday, get outside and take a hike! You'll avoid the crowds and … [Read More]

Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro

I began hiking five years ago as a way to de-stress and get through a difficult life experience. I quickly learned that many others shared similar reasons for venturing into the outdoors. Little did I know hiking would become a lifetime passion. Discovering … [Read More]

How You Can Help California’s Wildfire Victims

The Hill and Woolsey fires have cut through thousands of acres of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, while the Camp Fire in Northern California has become the third deadliest and most destructive fire in state history. These wildfire disasters have killed at … [Read More]

Find Outdoor Inspiration… at the Switchback Showcase, SoCal Edition

Get ready to join me for a celebration of the outdoors. On December 1, 2018, the Switchback Showcase is coming to Southern California, with inspirational outdoor documentaries from The Muir Project, Jason Fitzpatrick and Chris Smead. There will be live music … [Read More]

Hiking Flatiron via Siphon Draw

Located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness, Flatiron is one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in Arizona. The Siphon Draw Trail brings you passed towering rock formations, up a basin carved smooth by water, and tops out on … [Read More]

Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass

The Rae Lakes Loop is one of the legendary backpacking routes of the Sierra Nevada. It essentially makes a big circle around the center of Kings Canyon National Park, and features four amazing canyons and one of the epic sections of the John Muir Trail … [Read More]

Hiking Wasson Peak in Saguaro National Park

Wasson Peak is the tallest mountain in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. This loop hike travels along ridges with grand desert vistas and through some of the thickest Saguaro forest in Arizona. The top of the mountain has nice views of … [Read More]

Hiking to Colchuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Colchuck Lake is truly a gem of a day hike. It is the bigger brother to the nearby Enchantment Lakes, much easier to reach (as a day hike, especially), and some have described it as a religious experience. The glacier-fed waters of Colchuck Lake are an … [Read More]

Hiking Maiden Peak in the Willamette National Forest

The Maiden Peak Trail begins in the Willamette National Forest on Gold Lake Road, and climbs gradually and persistently to the 7,805' high peak on the border with Deschutes National Forest. The trail is well-forested until very near the summit, and … [Read More]

Hiking Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail

Picacho is one of those peaks that you look at and can’t tell how there’s possibly a trail to the top, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most exciting two and a half mile hikes out there. Once you make it beyond the halfway saddle, it’s a … [Read More]

Hiking Granite Mountain in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Granite Mountain is said to offer great views, but at a price. The trail climbs nearly 1,000 vertical feet per mile. It's steep, with only a few gentler slopes to catch your breath on. Access is straightforward, with the trail beginning off I-90 and less than … [Read More]

2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Recap

Nine years ago, Joan and I were planning a big adventure. We wanted to thru-hike the 211-mile John Muir Trail (JMT) over three weeks. We knew it would be a challenge. Not only would it require careful research and planning, but we would have to train our … [Read More]