Yosemite Snowshoeing to Dewey Point from Badger Pass is a classic California winter trek. In March two friends and I enjoyed a bluebird weekend enjoying the views above Yosemite Valley. Enjoying Yosemite backcounty in winter without many crowds is a…
Snow camping in California is easiest in April, and perfect for our first family & Cub Scout snow camping trip. California April days are longer & warmer while snow still covers the high country. Our destination is Grass Lake near…
Parque Nacional Cumbres del Ajusco protects Cerro Ajusco at 12,894. The highest point in Mexico City, forms an excellent day hike/climb. I recently climbed both Ajusco during a free morning in Mexico City. On a clear day, it offers excellent…
Flattop Mountain is an excellent introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. The 8.8 mile out and back trail passes a bit of everything including alpine lakes, forest, treeline, and tundra. The trail starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead at 9475…
2017 was another outstanding year for exploring the outdoors. Thank you to my family and friends who have supported me. Highlights include: Family Adventures Most of my 2017 adventures involved family. My three year old backpacked for the first time…
California offers many of the best American alpine & mountaineering objectives. One of the biggest challenges is where and when to climb. Fortunately, California (CA) has many resources to help mountaineers find the next climb. Here are a few of…
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…
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…
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is one of the best introductory backpacking trips in the Bay Area. This Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) protects a watershed in the Santa Cruz Mountains about Palo Alto. The Black Mountain Backpack Camp…
Not all adventures turn out as planned. I recently hiked and packrafted Waddell Creek in Big Basin State Park. Big Basin is California’s oldest State Park. The 30+ mile Skyline to the Sea trail bisects Big Basin as it descends…