Trip Reports

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The Summer of 2021: In Review

Technically it’s still summer, but for me, my summer ‘21 road trip is over.  Not going to lie, it’s really nice to be home and able to sleep in my own bed, but I do miss being on the road already!   It was an awesome summer, and honestly every stop on the trip was fantastic.  I’ve already been asked a few times what my favorite stop was and I honestly can’t really choose a favorite.  Yosemite, Glacier, Mammoth, Leadville, and...

Hiking in Lake Tahoe: The Rubicon Trail

Possibly the most famous trail in the Lake Tahoe area, the Rubicon Trail from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park has been on my list of must do hikes for years.  The hiking in Lake Tahoe is almost always awesome, but this hike which traces the lake’s shore between two state parks is a real gem! On Memorial Day Weekend, I decided to get up early, beat the crowds, and hike this epic trail.  At over 13...

Hiking in Lake Tahoe: Tackling the High Meadows to Cold Creek Trail

With summer nearly here, and the mountains finally snow free at moderate elevations, I finally got back into the big mountains for some real high altitude hiking!  I chose to spend my Memorial Day Weekend hiking in Lake Tahoe, and the first hike I completed was High Meadows to Cold Creek Trail. Miles/Elevation: 8.1 miles 1,480 feet vertical gain About Lake Tahoe: If you’re from California, you’ve almost certainly heard of Lake Tahoe, or maybe just Tahoe.  It’s basically a...

Hiking to Fordyce Falls on the Spaulding Lake Trail

With spring fully arrived and the snow melting in the mountains, I was ready to finally get into the big mountains!  While May is a bit early to really get up to high elevation, I knew that if I could find a hike in the foothills, I could get that fresh mountain air and not have to deal with hiking through the snow!  Enter the Spaulding Lake Trail to Fordyce Falls! This hike had everything I was looking for in...

sam mcdonald park

The Heritage Grove Loop Trail in Sam McDonald Park

Located deep within the depths of the Santa Cruz Mountains in a quiet and rarely visited area lies Sam McDonald Park.  While you may not have heard of it, Sam McDonald is a hidden gem.  Outshined by its larger and more famous neighbors like Big Basin and Henry Cowell, Sam McDonald benefits from smaller crowds, quieter trails, and a more serene experience! One of the best hikes in the park, The Heritage Grove Loop, takes you through the varied environments...

sierra vista open space preserve

A Day Hiking in Almaden Quicksilver County Park

On a beautiful spring day, my girlfriend Loralei set out to do a moderate day hike nearby San Jose!  We had a few different options, but ultimately settled on a loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park called Webb Canyon, New Almaden, Cinnabar, Mine Hill, Randol and Prospect #3 Loop! It was an amazing spring day, and it was actually a little warm out, but this hike made for a great short day on the trail!  There are tons of great...