Spray Park Goats

Saturday, September 7Wonderland Trail Day #4Start: Eagle’s Roost via Spay ParkStop: Yellowstone Cliffs11.01 miles3,813′ ascent3,648′ descent  The exertions of yesterday leave my body amped up and it takes me half the night to fall asleep. Plus, it is so damn warm that I don’t need my sleeping bag for half the night. I toss and turn … More Spray Park Goats

The Return Of Lionheart

Wednesday, September 4Wonderland Trail Day #1Start: LongmireStop: Devil’s Dream Camp5.8 miles2,568’ ascent406’ descent  A barred owl hoots as some animal whose cry is not in my auditory catalog howls along the banks of Big Creek. My watch alarm goes off at 4 am after a fitful night of sleep. I remove the few items from … More The Return Of Lionheart

PCRSP: Knapp West Ridge Friendship Ridge James Irvine Loop

Wednesday, August 7Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded land of the Yurok Tribe 15.11 miles2,047′ ascent1,881′ descent Karl Knapp Trail and up Zig Zag #2West Ridge Trail to Friendship Ridge TrailJames Irvine Trail back to headquarters This is the last hike of our summer break and we eagerly hit the trail at … More PCRSP: Knapp West Ridge Friendship Ridge James Irvine Loop

PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Brown Creek Knapp Miner’s Clintonia Irvine Loop

Wednesday, July 31Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded lands of the Yurok Tribe 20.02 miles3,109′ ascent3,072′ descent West Ridge Trail and down Zig Zag #2Rhododendron Trail to Brown Creek Trailcross Drury Parkway to Knapp TrailMiner’s Ridge Trail to Clintonia TrailJames Irvine Trail back to park headquarters After the 45+ minute drive, I’m … More PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Brown Creek Knapp Miner’s Clintonia Irvine Loop

Grasshopper Peak

Monday, July 15Humboldt Redwoods State ParkUnmarked Trailhead across from Burlington Campground16.17 miles3,482′ ascent3,570′ descentGrasshopper Peak 3,388′Unceded lands on the Sinkyone peoples It’s set to be a long, hot day so we’re on the road by 7 am. The Hiking Humboldt V1 directions take us along the slow, and yet scenic Avenue of the Giants route. … More Grasshopper Peak

PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Trail Loop

Monday, July 8Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksWest Ridge TrailRhododendron Trail~16 miles (my Garmin watch added a bunch of miles)2,871′ ascent2,914 descentUnceded lands of the Yurok Tribe We’re on trail by 9 am and while deep into conversation, fork onto the Knapp Trail. It’s takes me at least 10 minutes to realize … More PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Trail Loop

CDT Gear List II

CDT Gear List oz. lb. zpacks 52L arc blast with hip belt pockets 18 zpacks 0F wide long bag 27.1 zpacks solplex tent w/stakes in big agnes stuff sac 19 64.1 4.0 thermarest Xtherm long 16.5 gossamer gear 1/8 pad 3.2 gossamer gear polycryo ground cloth 1.4 cocoon pillow 4.1 msr pack towel half 0.7 … More CDT Gear List II

10 Reasons to Go Hiking and Backpacking with an Umbrella

10 Reasons to Go Hiking and Backpacking with an Umbrella Thanks to Francis Tapon for writing this thorough blog on the backpacking umbrella. I’ve had a Golite umbrella (now collectors item) for the last 6 years but haven’t really gone down the path of considering it an essential piece of my gear setup. My main … More 10 Reasons to Go Hiking and Backpacking with an Umbrella