Hiking

Category

Trip Report: Summiting La Plata Peak

About a month into my summer of 2021 road trip, I had made my way into Colorado.  After weeks of somewhat shorter and easier hikes, I felt prepared and ready to begin tackling the major objectives of my summer: 14ers, the highest categorization of mountains in the lower 48.  First on my list was La Plata Peak, the 5th highest mountain in the Rockies! While the hike up to the summit of La Plata is a day hike, this trail...

Telluride Hiking: The Sneffels Highline

In early July of 2021, I arrived in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado after nearly a month of exploring the High Sierra.  My first destination in Colorado was the small mountain town of Telluride, and I quickly found out that Telluride hiking is some of the absolute best in Colorado!  The first thing on the agenda was the Sneffels Highline and Deep Creek Loop! The Sneffels Highline is an awesome hike that loops up and through alpine valleys, and over...

Hiking The Mammoth Mountain Trail

On my visit to the Mammoth area in June of 2021, I decided to hike the Mammoth Mountain Trail to the summit itself.  Known primarily for it’s skiing, Mammoth Mountain becomes a warm weather outdoor destination in summer, and the hike to summit is an excellent day hike! While this trail will not take you into the backcountry, and you certainly won’t have the peak to yourself, this hike provides awesome views of the high peaks of the Sierra and...

Tip Report: Hiking To Shadow Lake and Ediza Lake

Taking you past the beautiful Shadow Lake and to the absolutely stunning Ediza Lake, this aptly named Shadow and Ediza Lakes Trail is a stunner in the Eastern Sierra.  This is a longer hike at around 13 miles, but if you can handle the miles, the views here make it all worthwhile! Starting at the iconic Agnew Meadows Trailhead outside of Mammoth Lakes California, the trail makes its way into the Ansel Adams Wilderness to the base of the iconic...

Hiking the Incredible Mammoth Crest Loop

Starting in the amazing Mammoth Lakes Basin, the Mammoth Crest Loop is one of the best hikes in the Sierra for big views, alpine lakes, and all the other great things about the high Sierra!  This 14 mile loop gains over 3,000 vertical feet as it passes incredible alpine lakes like Barney Lake, Duck Lake, and Deer Lakes, and provides some seriously incredible views! I completed this hike in June of 2021, and I can say that this has become...

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...