Visiting the Big Sur delivers a unique experience due to limited access. Landslides, fires, and floods buffeted the region over the last 12 months. CA 1 Northern auto access is closed to a bridge outage at Big Sur. Southern access…
Backpacking with Kids to Camp Lake in Emigrant Wilderness
Granite peaks, cool mountain lakes, and a relatively easy permit system make the Emigrant Wilderness an excellent destination. The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness borders Yosemite National Park to the north shares many of Yosemite’s features. In July I went backpacking…
Heather Lake Snowshoe in Sequoia National Park
Adventures that often do not go according to plan make for the best memories. In late May, Mark my frequent adventure partner and I visited Sequoia National Park. Heather Lake, Pear Lake, and Alta Peak (11,204 feet) were our destinations…
Pinnacles National Park Family Camping
Pinnacles National Park is an excellent family camping destination for the spring & fall. The park is located ~100 miles south of San Francisco between the Central Valley & the Salinas Valley. Pinnacles protects volcanic peaks, accessible caves, interesting hikes,…
Best Big Sur Hiking After the Soberanes Fire
Spending time outdoors reminds me that I am usually not in control. The conditions dictate what is possible. I’m looking forward to hiking in the Big Sur over the holidays, but the Soberanes Fire burned over 132,127 acres this summer. …
Halloween Themed Hike: Caves, Crags, Spiders, & Bats at Pinnacles National Park
Outdoors California is a treasure trove with coastal mountains, redwoods, the Sierra/Cascades, and the desert. People often drive past the Central California on their way to somewhere else. Pinnacles National Park, about 30 miles South of Hollister, is an excellent…
Take What is Given: Weather & Weekend Adventures
Life has been especially busy recently with family and work. This Thursday night and Friday, I’m planning a 24 hour adventure to a California National Park. My original plan was to leave Thursday night, summit an objective on Friday, and return…
Where To Find CA & Bay Area Camping Reservations
REI Let’s Camp, glamping, & other campaigns are increasing the popularity of camping & backpacking. With more parks using quotas, the campaigns are also increasing the popularity of backcountry reservations. Obtaining a coveted site can take planning and a little luck,…
Family Winter Backcountry Adventure: Loon Lake Chalet, a USFS Cabin
How can families safely explore the backcountry in winter when poor weather can transform an adventure into a survival situation? Visiting warm spots like the CA coast is one solution. Another approach is reserving a backcountry National Park or Forest…
Best Time for Outdoor Adventures: During NFL Playoffs
I visited a popular local park with my boys today. At noon ~75% of visitors disappeared in line with the 12:05 Patriots/Broncos kick-off. A few years ago, I climbed the tallest peak at Lake Tahoe (Mt Freel) on Super Bowl…