When fog shrouds the Bay Area, Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve often stands as an island above the clouds. Russian Ridge is also an excellent trip for young families. The Audrey Rust & Mindego Gateway site offer one of the…
National Trails Day: Trail Building Behind the Scenes
National Trails Day celebrates America’s trails on June 6. The American Hiking Society sponsors the day, coordinates local events, and publicizes them. In turn local parks & trail groups organize volunteer trail builds across the US. What goes on behind…
Memorial Park & Redwoods: Best Bay Area Camping for Families
Introducing kids to camping & the outdoors can be tricky. Initial trips should compelling, fun, and close to encourage kids to embrace their next adventure. Memorial Park is my best recommendation for introducing kids to camping. My one year old recently…
Best California Long Distance Trails
California hosts many of America’s best long distance trails. The trails mirror California’s diversity, but the trails and routes all showcase the best of California and are over 30 miles in length. The trails range from the John Muir Trail…
Gear Review: The North Face FuseForm Hard Shell
I purchased my first technical shell, a purple The North Face Mountain Light jacket, in 1994. The jacket lasted, and I used it climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes in 2003 after many other adventures. Hard shells have evolved significantly since 1994 –…
Best Yosemite Valley Adventure for Families
Camping with the President is one of my family’s favorite books. We’ve read about Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir’s adventures in Yosemite multiple times. My family and another one, all with young kids, recently visited Yosemite and visited some of the…
Work Trip: Great Falls National Park
I n Colonial America, the fall line separated civilized America from the backcountry. It marked the point where rivers became unnavigable – often at rapids. The Great Falls of the Potomac River once marked that backcountry border. Now, the 800 acres of…
Family Adventure: Cowell-Purisima Trail
Some trails are hidden in plain sight. I’ve driven past Cowell-Purisima trailhead’s distinctive yellow gates on CA 1 multiple times. My family remedied our oversight this past weekend. Our two boys under five had an outstanding visit on the trail…
Bay Area Escape: San Bruno Mountain County Park
San Bruno County & State Park stands as the Northern sentinel of the Santa Cruz mountains. The park’s 1314’ peak offers outstanding trail runs & hikes. It’s mutiple hiking options are great for adults & kids. The parks includes: Ridge…
Sweeney Ridge: I Can See for Miles & Miles
The Bay Area features some of the best coastal ridge trail hiking in the United States. Sweeney Ridge views could have inspired The Who and boasts : Unobstructed ridge views of the Pacific Ocean & Farallon Islands, SF Bay, Marin &…