This site has
pictures, descriptions and maps of hiking and backpacking in California and the Western USA. I have a big backlog of trip reports that
I upload as I get time, not necessarily in chronological order.
I love mountains, discovering new places
and connecting with the natural world. (Fast motorcycles, too!) Whether I have a weekend to day hike or a whole week to explore, I follow the call of the wild to the most extraordinary and magical natural places I can find—to get outside, to enjoy this beautiful country, to capture some of that
in pictures and relate my experiences in order to help others find their own perfect spot. I've hiked and explored all over the Western US, the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, and backpacked Europe from Greece to Norway, but the current scope of this collection of hikes is mostly mountain lands near my home in southern California and the West and Southwest USA. Many are surprised to discover that Los Angeles, ringed by tall peaks and ancient forests,
offers more natural wonders to discover and explore close by or within
a few hours drive than almost any other major US city.
Newest posted hike (Jan. 2015): Ediza and lakes of the Ritter Range
Please check back for other treks that I'm preparing for posting:
• Moab, UT, Canyonlands & ArchesNational Parks, July 2010
• TopaTopa Peak, Los Padres mountains, Ventura Cty. California, Apr. 1
• Death Valley Mar. 30-31
• Kings Canyon N.P: 3 days to Roaring River, May 23-25
• Mt. San Jacinto, 2nd highest peak in S. California, Jun 27-28
• Zion Nat. Pk., UT: Angels Landing & Observation Point trail, Sep. 5
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Big Pine Lakes & Jigsaw Pass
4 days exploring a high Sierra basin surrounded by dramatic peaks and brilliantly colored lakes
Sierra Nevada, John Muir Wilderness, Inyo NF, Central California
Sep. 24-27, 2014
Mt. Shasta
3 days summiting the 14,179' volcano via Avalanche Gulch
Cascade Range, Shasta Trinity NF, Northern California
Jun. 6-8, 2014
Ediza and lakes of the Ritter Range
3 day cross-country loop exploring some remote high Sierra lakes
Sierra Nevada, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo NF, Central California
Aug. 29-Aug 31, 2013
Lake Basin, Marion Lake
In search of the old John Muir Trail - a demanding trek into a hidden Sierra back range
Sierra Nevada, Kings Cyn. NP, Central California
Aug. 25-31, 2012
Bench Lake via Taboose Pass
A tough climb to a magical and remote Sierra lake
Sierra Nevada, Inyo NF & Kings Cyn. NP, Central California
September 2-4, 2011
Grand Canyon, Bright Angel canyon
South Rim to river via South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
June 22-23, 2011
Buckskin Gulch & Paria Canyon
A 21 mile adventure through deep slot canyons and alien landscapes
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Utah & Arizona
June 18-19, 2011
Canyoneering in and around Zion National Park
5 days climbing in and out of southern Utah's sublime hidden canyons
Zion National Park, Utah and vicinity
June 12-17, 2011
John Muir Trail
215 miles, 15 days south to north from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite
Sierra Nevada, Central California
July 18-Aug. 1, 2010
Trans Catalina Trail
3 1/2 days across the length of California's most beautiful island
Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles county, California
Apr. 13-16, 2010
The Great Western Divide
5 day loop through some of the most breathtaking terrain in the high Sierra
Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park, Central California
Sep. 14-18, 2009
Clark Range, Vogelsang & Ireland Lake
A 92 mile, 6 day trek into the heart of Yosemite's most ruggedly remote terrain
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Central California
Aug. 24-29, 2009
Rae Lakes Loop, Sixty Lakes, Forester Pass
6 days exploring a watery Sierra wonderland
Sierra Nevada, Kings Canyon National Park, Central California
Aug. 3-8, 2009
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
3 days along a wilderness river full of spectacular waterfalls
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
July 16-19, 2009
Mt. Whitney
Climbing the highest peak in the lower 48 states
Sierra Nevada, Inyo National Forest, Central California
July 3-4 2009
Yosemite Falls, Pohono Trail, 4 Mile Trail, Mist Trail
3 days of Yosemite Valley's most spectacular waterfalls and cliff-edge thrills
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
June 11-14, 2009
San
Gabriel Peak
One of the San Gabriel front ranges most distinctive peaks
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
April 5, 2009
Piedra
Blanca & Gene Marshall trail
Massive white rock formations on a summit hike in Sespe Wilderness
Los Padres mountains / Ventura county
March 22, 2009
Santa
Paula Peak
A steep climb through an explosion of flowers above a lush, green valley
Los Padres mountains / Ventura county
March 8, 2009
Santa
Susana Pass State Park
Exploring one of LA's most unique and undiscovered mountain parks
Simi Hills / Chatsworth, Los Angeles county
February 14, 2009
Vasquez
Rocks
A fault zone park full of chaotic, tortured rock formations
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
February 8, 2009
Devils
Chair, Devils Punch Bowl
Gigantic rock formations and a precarious cliff edge perch where two faults meet
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
January 17, 2009
Top
of Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign
Wraparound views of LA and the famous landmark up close
Santa Monica mountains / City of Los Angeles
January 11, 2009
Rocky
Peak
Up a boulder-strewn mountain to a 360 degree
viewpoint
Santa Susana mountains / Ventura county
January 4, 2009
San
Gorgonio mountain
Spend the night atop the highest peak in
Southern California (11,501 ft.)
San Bernardino mountains / San Bernardino county
November 15-16, 2008
Mount San Antonio - aka Mt. Baldy
Climbing the highest mountain in Los Angeles
county (10,064 ft.)
San Gabriel mountains / Los Angeles county
November 8, 2008
Kern
Lake and Little Kern Lake
15 mile overnight hike to a pair of wilderness
lakes
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra / Central
California
October 10-11 2008
Maggie
Lakes, Frog Lake & Twin Lakes
11 mile overnighter to some pristine backcountry
mountain lakes
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra / Central
California
September 27-28 2008
North Fork of the Kern River above Lake Isabella
10 mile overnight hike along a Wild &
Scenic River
Golden Trout Wilderness / Southern Sierra
/ Central California
September 12-14 2008
Yosemite
& climbing Half Dome
Discover Yosemite south to north on a 3
day hike
August 28-31, 2008
Sespe
River over night
10 mile overnight hike into SoCals secret
grand wilderness
Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
August 23-24, 2008
Matilija
Creek over night
Hiking a deep and twisty mountain canyon
to waterfalls and swim holes
Los Padres National Forest
August 16-17, 2008
Citadel Rock, Boney Mountain
Exploring an immense fortress rock above
the Pacific Ocean
Santa Monica mountains, N. Malibu, Ventura
County
August 8, 2008
Top
of Malibu - Schueren Rd - Backbone Trail
Wraparound views via a short climb to
one of Malibu's highest peaks
Santa Monica mountains
July 20, 2008
Yosemite
National Park, Mist trail, Vernal & Nevada falls
3 days discovering the park for the first
time
Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park, Central California
July 10-12, 2008
Santa
Paula Punch Bowl and water slides above
Return to one of the most awesome swimming holes in southern California
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
July 3, 2008
Matilija
Falls
A challenging scramble up a deep canyon to a remote mountain waterfall
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
June 28, 2008
Santa
Paula Punch Bowl
A 3 mile hike up a mountain creek to
an amazing waterfall swim hole
Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County
June 22, 2008
Wildwood
Park, Paradise Falls & Indian cave
Discovering geological wonders in a big
wilderness park on the edge of town
Conejo Recreation & Park District, Thousand
Oaks
June 15, 2008
The
Grotto
A watery playground where a mountain stream
has carved through giant boulders
Santa Monica mountains, Ventura County
June 1, 2008
Boney
Mountain
Exploring rugged peaks high above the ocean
Santa Monica mountains, Ventura County
May 25, 2008
Red
Rock park to Calabasas Peak
From one of LA's most hidden parks up to
some epic rock formations
Santa Monica mountains, LA County
May 8, 2008
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