backpacking – Journey Return

20-Year Cancerversary At Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

October 3, 2026

Saturday, October 3Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksCalifornia Coastal Trail Humboldt Section 1Unceded land of the Yurok Tribe21.14 miles3052′ ascent3023′ descent ABOVE: Atop Mt. Whitney in 2009 – 14,505 ft.Previous blogs about my cancer journey and challenges:The Jeopardy Question – My Thyroid StoryA Caution Story – Hypocalcemia And Diamox (Acetazolamide) After traveling … More 20-Year Cancerversary At Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Trans-Catalina Trail Day 4: Road Walking Back To Isthmus, Advocacy And A Pizza Feast

September 19, 2026

Saturday, September 19Start: Parsons LandingStop: Two Harbors/IsthmusUnceded land of the Tongva people7.75 miles467′ ascent507′ descent I wake up so well-rested. It always takes a few days for my body to adjust to the rigors of day-long hiking. The stress that my Garmin watch records recedes and the body is just like, ok, all this hiking … More Trans-Catalina Trail Day 4: Road Walking Back To Isthmus, Advocacy And A Pizza Feast

Trans-Catalina Trail Day 3: Ridge Walking, Two Harbors aka Isthmus, Silver Peak Loop to Parsons Landing

September 18, 2026

Friday, September 18Start: Shark Harbor (Little Harbor)Via: Two Harbors (Isthmus)Stop: Parsons LandingUnceded land of the Tongva peoples17.1 miles4634′ ascent4686′ descent I have my watch alarm set for 5:30 but wake up before it goes off. I snooze it and then slowly rustle to life. I start hiking at the edge of day just before 6:30 … More Trans-Catalina Trail Day 3: Ridge Walking, Two Harbors aka Isthmus, Silver Peak Loop to Parsons Landing

Trans-Catalina Trail Day 2: Airport In The Sky, Yee-Haw Spur Jangle And Shark Harbor Sunset

September 17, 2026

Thursday, September 17Start: Black Jack CampgroundVia: Airport In The SkyStop: Little Harbor (Shark Harbor)Unceded land of the Tongva peoples9.16 miles1246’ ascent2716’ descent I awake about 5:30 am. My body can’t lie on the ground anymore so I’m ready to get up even though I’m totally exhausted from the night-long drone activity. I crawl out of … More Trans-Catalina Trail Day 2: Airport In The Sky, Yee-Haw Spur Jangle And Shark Harbor Sunset

Trans-Catalina Trail Day 1: Avalon, Black Jack Campground, Drones, Gunfire And Deer Killing

September 16, 2026

Wednesday, September 16Start: AvalonStop: Black Jack CampgroundUnceded land of the Tongva peoples11.49 miles3159’ ascent1732’ descent The alarm goes off at 5 am and I snooze it for 10 minutes while I slowly wake up. We depart at 6 am and arrive at the San Pedro Ferry Building about 7:30 am. Boarding starts about 8:35 am … More Trans-Catalina Trail Day 1: Avalon, Black Jack Campground, Drones, Gunfire And Deer Killing

Dolason Prairie Trail, Emerald Ridge Trail, Redwood Creek, Tall Trees Trail Loop

July 7, 2026

Tuesday, July 7Start/Stop: Dolason Prairie TrailheadRedwood National and State ParksUnceded land of the Yurok Tribe16.51 miles3,205′ ascent3,209′ descent Dolason Prairie Loop Overview Video As usual, I depart in the dark with the plan of getting to the trailhead about sunrise. The thick fog is hanging high in the valley with only mountain tops and a … More Dolason Prairie Trail, Emerald Ridge Trail, Redwood Creek, Tall Trees Trail Loop

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Stout Grove, Mill Creek Trail, Grove Of Titans, Boy Scout Tree Trail, Howland Hill Road Loop

June 30, 2026

Tuesday, June 30Start/Stop: Stout Memorial GroveJedediah Smith Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksDaa-naa~-yash K’vsh-chuu-dvnUnceeded land of the Tolowa Dee-ni’14.10 miles1485′ ascent1556′ descent Jedediah Smith Day 2 Overview Video Getting an early start is always rewarded. Up by 5:30 am and break camp just after 6. It’s so early that the trail runner approaching me … More Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Stout Grove, Mill Creek Trail, Grove Of Titans, Boy Scout Tree Trail, Howland Hill Road Loop

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Little Bald Hills Trail

June 29, 2026

Monday, June 29Start/Stop: Little Bald Hills TrailheadJedediah Smith Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksDaa-naa~-yash K’vsh-chuu-dvnUnceeded land of the Tolowa Dee-ni’13.53 miles2,223′ ascent2,233′ descent IF YOU PLAN TO HIKE THIS TRAIL ANYTIME JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER, BE SURE TO KNOW WATER CONDITIONS AT THE LITTLE BALD HILLS BACKCOUNTRY CAMP. I start driving north in the dark, … More Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Little Bald Hills Trail

West Ridge Rhododendron Trail Loop #2

May 30, 2026

Saturday, May 30West Ridge TrailRhododendron TrailPrairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National ParkUnceeded land of the Yurok16.28 miles2,831′ ascent2,831′ descent I start the drive at 5:30 am and the clear skies are already glowing with predawn light. I roll into Prairie Creek and there is the usual cold layer of fog hanging in the valley. I … More West Ridge Rhododendron Trail Loop #2

Stagecoach Hill Azalea Nature Trail

April 25, 2026

Saturday, April 25Start/Stop: Azalea Nature Trailhead across the road from small parking areaHumboldt Lagoons State ParkUnceeded land of the Yurok.69 miles83′ ascent107′ descent596′ high point After hiking to Sharp Point, I’m so close to the Stagecoach Hill Azalea Nature Trail that I might as well check it out. I suspect that I’m too early for … More Stagecoach Hill Azalea Nature Trail

Journey Return

Thyroid Cancer Survivor on the Pacific Crest Trail & Beyond

Tag: backpacking