Day 4 Big SEKI Loop
Woods Creek Bridge to 3.8 miles north of Forester Pass I had a sound sleep thanks to the pleasant sound of Woods Creek bubbling next to my tent. As I packed up and crossed Woods Creek Bridge, I saw that the tent city was just starting to stir. Food bags were hanging...
Day 3 Big SEKI Loop
Palisades Lake to Woods Creek Bridge Though I woke around sunrise, I spent the first mile from Palisades Lake in the dark shade of the surrounding mountains. I thought, sunrise comes late in a valley, as I walked along the granite floor crossing little streams and...
Day 2 Big SEKI Loop
East Fork of Dougherty Creek to Palisades Lake I woke up 30 minutes later than normal and took my time getting ready, but I was still walking by 6:15. If yesterday was any indication, today was going to be a hot one. The trail, which was well established and...
Day 1 Big SEKI Loop
I woke up next to the South Fork of the Kings River in Sierra National Forest and quickly packed up my cowboy camp. With everything back in the car, I drove the last 6 miles to Roads End in Kings Canyon National Park. I stepped out into the already warm air,...
Grand Canyon Day 5
The wind was a force to be reckoned with last night. It bent the branches of the trees and buffeted our tents all night howling like a tortured soul. When my alarm went off, I only had intermittent sleep to show for all my efforts. Bedazzled didn’t fare any...
Grand Canyon Day 4
I awoke before my alarm and peeked out of my tent. I saw Bedazzled’s tent right in front of mine. You know, sleeping on the rim of the Grand Canyon is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I had the luck to have someone camp right in front of...
Grand Canyon Day 3
We woke up at 6:00 and decided to take the Transept Trail to Bright Angel Point for sunrise. The spot is only a quarter-mile from the lodge so we knew it might be crowded. As we passed the lodge, the smell of bacon was drifting through the air and our empty stomachs...
Grand Canyon Day 2
My alarm went off at 6:00 AM and I got up slowly. My legs felt strange. At first I couldn’t place the feeling, but then I realized they were a little sore. Only 11 days after finishing the PCT and my legs are sore from a 7 mile hike. Granted we dropped over...
Grand Canyon Day 1
My alarm went off at 5:00 and I rummaged around trying to find my watch. Successful turning it off, I went off again at 5:02. It was time to get up. I looked over and poked Bedazzled. Even though the temperature was supposed to drop to 37 degrees, the inside of our...
San Bernardino to Shields Peak Traverse
Miles Elevation Gain (ft) A strenuous hike with almost 7,000 feet of elevation gain, the San Bernardino Peak to Shields Peak Traverse makes for a challenging day hike or nice overnight backpacking trip. The route takes you through juniper, pine and fir forests to the...