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The Emerald Lake Trail: Mammoth California

On a day with a stormy forecast in Mammoth Lakes California, I was looking for a short hike I could get in before the rain came.  I had already decided on hiking to Heart Lake, but to make the day a bit longer, I decided to head up to Emerald Lake as well! While I paired this hike up with the Heart Lake Trail, this alone makes for an excellent short hike in Mammoth.  There is close to 400 feet...

Hiking To Heart Lake In Mammoth Lakes California

On what would end up being a rainy afternoon in Mammoth Lakes California, I set out in search of a short hike I could finish before the clouds rolled in.  What I decided on was a hike to Heart Lake. This short 2.4 mile trail is located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin and climbs about 500 feet up to a small hidden lake.  While it is short at a bit over 2 miles, this ended up being one of the...

Trip Report: The Convict Lake Loop

Recovering from a sprained ankle, and coming off two consecutive long hikes during which I made said ankle worse, I was looking for an easy trail that would just get me outside and get my legs moving!  What I decided on was the Convict Lake Loop outside of Mammoth Lakes California. This easy hike circumnavigates Convict Lake itself, and allowed me to just get out and get some steps in!  I wasn’t expecting too much, and honestly at 2.5 miles...

Lake Tahoe Hiking: Lake Genevieve and Crag Lake

On a sunday in June this past summer, I was recovering from my triple summit day of Freel Peak, Job’s Sister, and Jobs Peak near Lake Tahoe.  My legs were feeling like jelly, but it was a beautiful day and I didn’t feel like sitting inside!  I was on the hunt for a moderate hike that would get me on the trail without putting my legs through any more suffering! Fortunately, Lake Tahoe hiking is characterized by beautiful lakes, moderate...

Why Muir Woods is Overrated, and Where You Should Go Instead

As an avid hiker in the Bay Area, I hear about lots of parks and preserves that are life changing!  Incredible!  Amazing!  Now, sometimes they live up to the hype, and sometimes they don’t, but I like finding awesome new outdoor spots, so I try to check out these incredible destinations.  One place that I’d been hearing about for years, but had never visited, was Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Woods is a national monument just north of San Francisco...

Montara State Beach: Hiking The North Peak Loop

The hike to the North Peak of Montara Mountain has been on my list of hikes to do for a few years.  This oceanside summit looked to offer wide open ocean views throughout, and I was pretty excited to finally try it!  At only 7 miles and under 2,000 feet of climbing, this moderate trail is an excellent option if you’re looking for ocean views within a short distance of San Francisco! Plus, how often do you get a summit...