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Exploring Lava River Cave: The Largest Lava Tube in Oregon!

While most of my adventures involve going up, I decided I had to check something out that would involve going down!  Oregon is a land sculpted by volcanoes and volcanic activity, and in Newberry Volcanic National Monument, you can explore the largest intact lava tube in the state! Formed by an underground river of molten lava, this cave is explorable to about a mile deep.  Newberry Volcano isn’t nearly as recognizable as the nearby Three Sisters or the iconic Mt...

The Brutal 18 Mile 1,000 Island Lake Loop!

Rising high above the town of Mammoth in California’s Eastern Sierra, the Ansel Adams Wilderness contains some of the nation’s greatest unspoiled wild areas.  Bisected by both the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, this area has some absolutely stunning scenery, and the highlight of the whole thing might be 1,000 Island Lake. While this lake probably doesn’t actually have 1000 islands, 1000 Island Lake does have quite a few!  More impressive though is the stunning Ritter Range...

Hiking In Yosemite: Clouds Rest

Towering 1,000 feet above the summit of the iconic Half Dome, Clouds Rest is the tallest feature surrounding Yosemite Valley.  While it isn’t as visually shocking as Half Dome or El Capitan and isn’t nearly as famous, the hike to the summit of Clouds Rest is one of the absolute best hikes in Yosemite National Park!  Plus, isn’t Clouds Rest just an awesome name for a mountain!? Starting from the higher elevations along Tioga Road far above Yosemite Valley, this...

Big Sur Hiking: The Brazil Ranch Trail

Located on the Big Sur coastline of Central California, Brazil Ranch is a picturesque, postcard worthy, location.  Grazing cattle roaming brilliant green fields butt up against ocean cliffs, high bluffs and mountain peaks dominate the skyline, and all the while the raw power of the Pacific batters against the coastal cliffs. This is a beautiful setting, and while in many places you can’t just hike through a cattle ranch, you can here!  There is one trail in particular that is...