Mt Laguna PCT Hike Fail

We were exhausted and feeling a bit down after a tough week at work and home and so we decided to have some natural therapy by hitting the PCT near Garnet Peak. What ensued was hardly therapeutic.

San Jacinto Burning

The Mountain Fire has consumed a large amount of wilderness on the PCT and nearby, in the vicinity of Idyllwild. It’s still burning right now and is barely 15% contained. More information at the incident information website. We’re …

Warner Springs to Eagle Rock

We took a day hike today from the Warner Springs fire station south on the PCT to Eagle Rock, a magnificent rock formation in the middle of the desert which looks like, you guessed it, an eagle!

Combs’ Peak / PCT

Our friends invited us to come for a backpacking trip up in Sequoia National Park over the Memorial Day weekend. After calling the ranger station up there and hearing that it would likely be below freezing overnight we …

Tahquitz Peak Trail / PCT

Papa Rob was in town and we thought that would be a great excuse for a bit of a hike. We were going to try some desert hiking but the thought of being out in the heat all …

Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off 2013

Since we weren’t thru hiking the PCT this year, we decided we may as well attend the ADZPCTKO  (“Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off”) to see where it all begins. So after a hearty breakfast of …

Aqua Caliente Creek PCT hike

We hit the trail for a mid-week day hike, the PCT near Warner Springs. The trail begins at highway 79 and meanders north through meadows and a dry creek or wash area until reaching the Cleveland National Forest. …

Hosp Grove hike

This year started off with a bang as we moved down south to Oceanside. We said goodbye to Marina del Rey and all the trails near LA, and have said hello to all that San Diego County has …

Cooper Canyon Falls Trail

With our shake-down camp behind us, we were finally ready to go on a real backpacking trip. I found a short loop on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Angeles National Forest that happened to be very close …

Big Bear equipment shake-down

After the completion of our quilt, we had finished our three-piece ultralight equipment extravaganza, which also included the Tarp and the Net-tent for bugs. These were all designed by Ray and Jenny Jardine, ultralight backpacking and Pacific Crest …

Musch Trail, Topanga Canyon

With our new handmade tarp complete and our groundsheet softened, we headed out to Topanga Canyon for a day hike and tarp set-up practice!

Hiking La Jolla Valley Trail

Another week since we were on the trail and we needed to get back out. Simon selected the La Jolla Valley Trail from my Day Hikes in Los Angeles book. This trail was of interest because just two …