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...

Hiking Big Sur: Backpacking the Boranda Trail

In the rugged stretch of California’s coastline known as Big Sur, the Boranda Trail is a highlight ascending the coastal cliffs.  If you’re looking for a great hike and potential backpacking night out, this trail is a fantastic place to look!  With wide open ocean views and camping potential, this is a hike you need to check out if you are out hiking Big Sur! Miles/Elevation: 5.3 miles (full trail) 2,500 feet (full trail) ~3 miles (for me) ~1,500 feet...

Top Breweries in Madison Wi- Three of the Best

What do you do when it is still February and chilly out?! Go on a brewery crawl of course! Nathan and I set out on a half day journey going to breweries in Madison Wi and getting our drink on in February- excited to try some of the best breweries in the Madison area. This was a beertastic excursion and something fun to do if you are getting a little stir crazy in the winter- but these breweries would also...