Hiking the Limekiln Falls Trail is like a walk through another world. It is dark — even on a cloudless day — and verdant green. The trail dives deep into the steepest coastal canyon in California, reaching an impressive 100 foot split waterfall. This is an easy hike, and worth a stop to stretch your […]
Hiking the Ewoldsen Trail in Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has everything that Big Sur is known for — dramatic old growth coastal redwoods that tower above you; streams dancing through steep gorges lined with colorful wildflowers; stunning views of the rugged coastline; and photogenic waterfalls. The 5.9 mile Ewoldsen Trail delivers the goods. We tackled this scenic loop in […]
Skull Rock and Temescal Loop
The Temescal Loop trail is one of my favorite hikes on days when the sun dips low. This variation includes a side trip further up the ridge to Skull Rock. And yes, it really does look like a skull (with a little imagination). With the addition of a small side trip to Skull Rock, this […]
Hiking Portuguese Bend Reserve
The Rancho Palos Verdes peninsula is a prominent feature in Southern California geography. It protrudes into the Pacific Ocean as if it could almost touch Catalina Island. The hills of Palos Verdes really stand out against the flat terrain surrounding it, making it instantly recognizable from a hike on nearly any hill or mountain in SoCal. […]
Hiking to Aliso Peak
South Orange County is often dismissed as a snooty, well-to-do slice of suburbia filled with malls, expensive cars and cookie cutter houses. It may fit that stereotype on the surface, but there is much more to explore. There are hidden trails like the Aliso Peak Trail above Laguna Beach. This short-but-sweet trail provides a perfect mid-week attitude […]
Lost Coast Trail: Miller Flat to Black Sands Beach
Today was our fourth and final day on the Lost Coast Trail. The last day of any backpacking trip is always bittersweet. We looked forward to sleeping in a bed and eating a meal that wasn’t rehydrated. Yet we want to linger and savor the sense of peace and connectedness we’ve enjoyed on the trail. […]
Lost Coast Trail: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat
The Lost Coast Trail has several sections which are impassable at high tide, and it is essential that you bring a tide chart along to avoid becoming trapped in one of these spots. Today would be the only day of our adventure with no impassable sections. It was a pleasure knowing we didn’t have to […]
Lost Coast Trail: Sea Lion Gulch to Spanish Flat
I woke up to the early morning light. Outside our tent the air was thick with fog and heavy with moisture. Large drops of condensation clung to our rain fly, and everything that wasn’t covered was damp. We fired up our stove, boiling water for our Starbucks Via and ate awesome breakfast burritos while the sun […]
