Santa Catalina is a beautiful island located only 27 miles off the coast of southern California. Though Catalina is a short 90 minute boat ride away, it feels like another world. There are two small, quaint towns on the island — Avalon and Two Harbors — and the remainder of the island is primarily wilderness…
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 Muir Trail, so we carried everything–tent, stove, fuel, food, sleeping bags–basically everything we would be carrying on the JMT. In October 2018, we thru-hiked…
Los Angeles’ best kept secret? The AWESOME hiking trails that abound in every direction. We have hiked the best LA hiking trails to create this ultimate reference. You’ll find everything from a hike to a secret Nazi hideaway, the tallest peak in LA County, waterfall hikes, and dog-friendly trails. Choose your adventure and get on the…
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 County. From the summit, you…
Technically speaking, there is no trail or ridge officially named The Roller Coaster, but if there was, this would be it. This is a great double-track trail with hills that will get your heart pumping. I like to hike this after work most Wednesdays, and enjoy the ocean breezes, the sweeping coastal and mountain views…
Joan and I sat down and did some serious working on our training plans for the John Muir Trail. On a typical week we will log at least 25 miles, with a minimum of two, hilly mid-week conditioning hikes and one long weekend hike. We’ll be adding in training at higher elevation, primarily on local…
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 and having an ice cold six-pack ready to…
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 times on the trail. For me, joining the Six-Pack of…
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 craziness, and you’ll feel better for it. I asked our Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge…
The first day of summer is just a week away, and the good folks over at Cairn are on top of it. The summer Obsidian Collection arrived this week, with the theme “Just Add Water.” This collection of products looks great. Here’s my unboxing and initial thoughts. What’s in this box? Here’s what was…
Do you want more adventures in the year ahead? Maybe you’ve finished the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, and you’re looking for a new challenge−something that takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you beyond what you thought you could do? Big adventures don’t happen by dreaming−they require planning and preparation. Many big adventures require…
The word is out. Southern California has a veritable plethora of hiking trails. And a plethora and a half of hikers exploring them. 99.9% of hikers are firmly in the day-hike only camp, and usually it’s just a matter of not knowing how to start and where to go to gain some backpacking experience. With this in…
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