At 6,165 feet, Strawberry Peak is the highest summit in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains, a mere 3 feet taller than its neighbor, San Gabriel Peak. This area was heavily damaged and was closed after the Station Fire in 2009, but was re-opened in 2014. Strawberry Peak name was given by mountaineers over a century ago because of its peak’s likeness to an enormous … [Read More]
On our first thru-hike of the Trans-Catalina Trail back in the spring of 2010, we carried our gear. That trip was one of our shake-down trips to prepare for the John … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
2019 marks the fifth year for the annual SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge.
Flex your adventure muscles!