Before hiking the Appalachian Trail, I thought that long distance hikers would stop feeling aches & pains. They would evolve into super hikers after hiking 200+ miles. I was mistaken. I still had the same aches and pains. However, I…
Best Bay Area Climbs, Hikes & Summits
The best Bay Area climbs offer views of the San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean, or both. The elevation gains of the following trails are more than Everest Camp 1 to the Mount Everest summit. Several summits also cross the Bay…
Memorial Park Family Camping in the Redwoods
Memorial Park near Pescadero, CA offers some of the best family camping in the Bay Area. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains along Pescadero Creek, visitors can camp next first growth redwoods. Memorial Park is also the oldest San Mateo…
Ladybugs & Redwoods in Redwood Regional Park – World Class Family Hike
Thousands of ladybugs descend upon Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills in winter. The ladybugs spend their November to February in the warmest, moistest areas. In late December along with a few other families, we hiked ~3 miles roundtrip…
Looking Backwards 2017: Technology Hiker Outdoor Adventures
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…
Cub Scout Car Camping – Logistics & Gear List
My outdoor adventure planning has evolved from solo backpacking, thru-hiking, mountaineering, family camping & backpacking, and now to Cub Scout Pack planning. I am Cubmaster and Den Leader for our local Cub Scout Pack 58 in Hillsborough, CA. Here’s a…
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…
Monte Bello Backpacking with Kids above the Clouds
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…
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,…
Looking Backwards 2016: Technology Hiker Outdoor Adventures
2016 was another outstanding year for exploring the outdoors. Thank you to everyone that I’ve shared my love of the outdoors – through trips, posts, or conversations. Here’s a catalog of my 2016 trips. Family Adventures Most of my 2016…