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
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
Thursday, July 4Redwood National State ParkUnceded land of the Yurok Tribe11.63 miles2,000′ ascent2,067′ descent In an effort to beat the holiday masses, we depart from the Elk Meadow/Davison Road trailhead just after 9 am. There are only a few cars in the parking lot and the trail is quiet. We fork off of the Davison … More Trillium Falls Lady Bird
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
You know those days. The days that stand on the shoulders of all other days. The days that find you looking back through time with a new lens and entranced on the spiraling playground slide of the future. The days where time does in fact come to a stand still and indelible bookmarks are logged … More The Days That Change Your LIFE
You see it all the time – 10 reasons to do this or that, 9 ways to be successful, etc.. We humans sure love to number things. There’s even 7 Great Ways to Poop Outdoors that’s got a great picture of a deer taking a shit. Ok, the deer is probably peeing but whatevs. I … More 10s Are All The Rage – Ode To Warmth
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
Yesterday, the rushing Robinson Creek bounced its poetic words full of cheer and wonder off the canyon walls. What was a nearly stagnant, algae-filling water source two weeks ago has found new life. Nothing like a little downpour to get this life blood flowing. Here on Smart’s Mountain we got about 8.5 inches of rain … More The 64 Day Countdown Begins
My mom drops me at the bottom of the mountain where the road turns from dirt to pavement. A mere 5.5 miles and 20 minute drive from our house. I jump out, grab my 18 lb. pack and trekking poles before she departs for San Francisco. I do an about-face, ready for my climb back … More The Mystery of the Abandoned Crutches
The hamster wheel in my brain has been turning and turning. And turning. Did I mention the turning? The cold. What about the cold? How cold will it be in the New Mexico desert? Should I start with my desert gear or my mountain gear? Hmmm……what about that cold? Cold? COLD? You get my drift. … More CDT Gear Changes…….Already
Journey Return 