View to the south from Arch Rock

Point Reyes: Arch Rock View Loop 
11.7 miles – 1895 ft

Update. Original posted Aug. 2012 Point Reyes National Seashore is a birder’s paradise with more than 45% of North American avian species living in the…

Read Article →
Mt. Hoffman's views - 360 degrees of Yosemite

Yosemite: May Lake High Sierra Camp to Mt. Hoffman 
4.2 miles – 1677 feet

The High Sierras, especially in the more remote backcountry of Yosemite National Park and Inyo National Forest, are without a doubt my favorite outdoor destination….

Read Article →
A narrow, windy trail along the spine of a ridge outcropping leads to the giant's nose

Best Kauai day hikes

Two years ago I went on a hiking-focused multi-week visit to the amazingly beautiful island of Kauai. For regular readers of hikerly, you remember the…

Read Article →
View from Turtlehead Peak

Red Rock Canyon: Turtlehead Peak 
7.5 miles – 2267 feet

If you happen to be in Las Vegas and need a break from the bright lights and late nights, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area…

Read Article →
Donohue Pass

John Muir Trail: Lessons from a first time thru-hike

It was September 2010. Three friends and I decided to do something we’d never done before: backpack a segment of one of the United States’…

Read Article →
Rock scramble

Joshua Tree: Lost Palms Oasis & Mastodon Peak 
9.4 miles – 1750 feet

Joshua Tree National Park gets its name from the Dr. Seuss-like Joshua trees that can be seen through much of the park’s higher elevations, but…

Read Article →
A perfect view of May Lake on the return trip down from Mount Hoffman (day three)

Yosemite backpack: Glen Aulin, May Lake & Mount Hoffman 
3 days – 18.6 miles – 4537 ft.

The High Sierra Camps in Yosemite National Park are a much-sought after way to see the park’s mountainous backcountry without the trouble of carrying all…

Read Article →
The view from The Meadows

Wunderlich County Park Loop 
5.5 miles – 1153 ft.

Wunderlich County Park in San Mateo County is a gem of a local hike spot with history. In addition to numerous hiking trails through redwoods,…

Read Article →
Tufas on Mono Lake

Video: Beauty of Mono Lake and Mammoth High Country

For regular readers of this blog, you probably already know the name James Temple (@jtemple). He’s one of my backpacking buddies and a hobbyist documentary…

Read Article →
Backpacking over Donahue Pass on the John Muir Trail

Inspiring videos: Backpacking the John Muir Trail

A year ago I was training for an epic adventure: Backpacking the northernmost approximately 60 miles of the John Muir Trail. It was a 6-day…

Read Article →