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 from none other than Opus Orange, a discussion panel with influential voices in the outdoor community, outdoor … [Read More]
Featured Post
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 … [Read More]
Featured Post
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 … [Read More]
Featured Posts
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]
2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Finishers Party Photo Album
We had a ton of great photos from our 2018 Finishers Party. Check out our photo album and feel free to comment and share! … [Read More]
2018 SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Finishers Party Photo Booth Gallery
Our SoCal challengers had a lot of fun at the Finishers Party clowning in the photo booth. Here's a complete gallery of the photos. … [Read More]
2019 Adventure Goals
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true." - Greg S. Reid One of my favorite activities at the Six-Pack of Peaks Finishers Party is sharing Your Next … [Read More]
Hiking the Skyline-Golden Gate Loop in Mount Rainier National Park
This loop hike begins and ends at Paradise, on the side of iconic Mount Rainier. The 14,410' peak is the tallest in the Cascade Range and the highest in the state of Washington. It is an active volcano. It is the most glaciated peak in the continental United … [Read More]
Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Cholla Trail
Camelback Mountain is the most popular mountain to hike in the Phoenix area for good reasons. It’s a fun challenging hike from either side, it has good views of the Phoenix area, and it’s entertaining to compare its profile to a napping camel. There are two … [Read More]
Hiking Piestewa Peak in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The second tallest in the Phoenix Mountains, Piestewa Peak has a lot to offer considering its location and length. It has great views into the rest of the Phoenix Mountain Range and into the city of Phoenix. It has easier flat sections, challenging steep … [Read More]
Hiking Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon
The Superstition Mountains are a beautiful sight, looking in from any of the surrounding areas. But if you want to see what beauty lies within, you need to take a trip up one of its many canyons. Peralta Canyon gives access to one of the most breathtaking … [Read More]
Hiking Beacon Hill Loop in Griffith Park
Looking for a short, after-work hike in Griffith Park with fewer crowds and great city views? This 3.8 mile loop hike with a stop at the easternmost peak in the Santa Monica Mountains might be exactly what you're looking for. The trail follows broad … [Read More]
Muir Taco Adventure #8
Eight years ago, I thru-hiked the John Muir Trail (JMT) for my second time in thirty years. Anytime you are out on the trail for weeks at a time, there comes a point when you miss fresh food. It could be something as simple as a cold glass of milk, or fresh … [Read More]
Hiking Mount Pilchuck in Washington’s North Cascades
Mount Pilchuck is a very popular hiking destination in the North Cascades despite the difficult, rocky climb to the top. The historic lookout tower is part of the appeal, but the real attraction are the million-dollar views. On a clear day you can see … [Read More]
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