Yes, Rocky Mountain is an actual mountain. Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, this 9,250′ peak is often overshadowed by the trail that climbs it: the famous Manitou Incline. This route forms a loop that ascends the incline, but then continues climbing to the little-traveled summit of Rocky Mountain before descending via the gentler grade of the […]
Hiking the Misery Ridge Loop
Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon is a rock climber’s playground. The Crooked River carved through layers of hardened volcanic ash to create a landscape that reminded me of Utah. Hiking here is a treat, and the Misery Ridge Loop is the perfect way to tour Smith Rock. It takes you across the river […]
Hiking to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Giant old-growth redwood trees, lush forest, babbling creeks and beautiful waterfalls–there is plenty to love about this nearly 11 mile loop hike to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park, and features the largest stand of coastal redwoods south of San Francisco. These are tall […]
The Nine-Peak Challenge
The Nine-Peak Challenge is a really intense route that took two SoCal hikers up nine (yes, NINE) peaks including San Gorgonio — the highest in Southern California — in one really long day hike. Thanks to Jen and Dave for sharing their photos and this epic trip report. Dave and I met at the Starbucks […]
After-Hike Social Survival Kit
You’ve been on the trail hiking for six hours. You made the summit all-smiles, and got back safely to the trailhead. You huffed and puffed. You sweat. Your body is complaining–“Why are you doing this to me?!” What you don’t want to do is stuff your sweaty, grimy body into your car for the ride back […]
Don Viejo: 85 Years Young and Seeking Female Hiking Partner
Several weeks ago when I was hiking the five summits again, I ran into this spry hiker putting up flyers on trees on some of the hiking trails in the San Gabriel Mountains. Don Viejo is his trail name, he is 85 years young and he’s looking for a female hiking companion. And we’re not talking about leisurely walks […]
Outdoor Mistakes: Navigation Overconfidence
It was our second day of a 22-day thru-hike on the epic John Muir Trail. I was the ring-leader — I had organized the trip, recruited three willing hikers, obtained the permit and got us to Yosemite Valley a couple days earlier. I had been to Yosemite many times. I had even hiked the JMT […]
Government Shutdown: Where You Can Still Hike in SoCal
At 12:01 AM, October 1, 2013, the federal government shut down. While we wait for Congress to do the right thing, National Parks are officially closed to hiking and camping. I’ve got many friends who had plans for visiting nearby National Parks, and for now, those plans are dashed. Here’s what this means to hikers and […]