A Walk ‘n Talk through Crest Canyon

I recently had the chance to assist as a hiking guide for the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy‘s monthly Walk ‘N Talk. Today, the group was going to hike through Crest Canyon, then continue on to the Old Grand Avenue Bridge to learn about the lagoon’s birds and restoration efforts. From the trailhead, the trail descends to the canyon floor via a series of wooden stairs. Once on the canyon floor, the trail forks: one path follows the west side of the canyon, and the other the east side. These two routes are only separated by about 200 feet. About half down the canyon, the trails rejoin for a short distance, then split apart again. Picture a figure-eight for the trail system. I led my group down the west side trail, as it appeared to be a bit wider. Once at the road, we walked along it westward to Old Grand Avenue Bridge. There is very little traffic on this road, but a car or two did pass us.

Once at the bridge, Rachel Smith of UC Santa Barbara and Monica Alfaro of Harris and Associates brought rich details about wetlands restoration and wildlife activity. Beneath us, fish swam by, and even a stingray glided past. Soon it was time to hike back up the canyon. Kim from SDRC had left a car here in case anyone might need a shuttle. I led a group up the east side trail. This trail is a bit narrower than the west side one. I will also note that on another visit to this trail, I did encounter a rattlesnake making its way into the brush. Soon, we reached the stairs, and our hike was complete. My fellow guides and I had a quick debrief, and I am looking forward to next month’s Walk ‘N Talk.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Early morning on Oakzanita

Since Dad’s Taxi Service was at the airport at 5, I decided to head out and complete one of the hikes on the Cuyamaca Trekker Challenge. I settled on Oakzanita over Cush-Pii. As I drove east, the sky slowly turned pink as the sun began to rise. I pulled into the empty trailhead, grabbed my gear, and set off along the East Mesa Fire Road. While it was a tad cool, I knew that was going to change as the sun continued to rise.

I hustled along the road for about 1/2 mile before jumping onto the trail that I would take to the summit. Before too long, I was atop the summit. I quickly snapped a few photos and retraced my route back to the car. I covered the 5.2 miles in 1:51, with an elevation gain of 966 feet.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Backpacking to Peak Lake – Sequoia National Park

Back in 2024, I had planned to hike the Lakes Trail to spend the night at Pear Lake. Unfortunately, the Coffee Pot Fire’s smoke blanketed the region, making the trip unhealthy. Fast-forward to 2026, and I had won the permit lottery for the Rae Lakes Loop, another backpacking trip that is high on my to-do list. But life threw another curveball. Originally, I was not planning on taking any classes this summer, so I would have had the time to travel from San Diego to Kings Canyon, and then spend the five days/four nights doing the Rae Lakes Loop. But since I did enroll in a class, I could no longer afford that much time away from my studies. So, I opted to try to do the Lakes Trail again, gambling on scoring a walk-up permit. I left Monday afternoon, drove to Bakersfield, and used some Marriott points to score a free room. The next morning I drove up to Sequoia National Park. According to the website, permits are released at 1 pm at the Wilderness Station at the Lodgepole Visitor Center, so I had a little time to explore some of the park before I headed over. I decided to rehike the Congress Trail and marvel at the giant redwoods. After enjoying the loop, I headed over to the permit station and was able to get a permit a bit early. In chatting with the ranger, I asked for his recommendation for the afternoon. He suggested that since the weather was pleasant, driving to Kings Canyon might be worth it. I needed to get my National Park Passport book stamped for Kings Canyon anyway, so that sealed the deal.

I drove up the Generals Highway, keeping an eye out for some of the possible campsites I might try to secure for the evening. At Grant’s Grove, I stamped my passport book and had lunch at the restaurant before driving down into Kings Canyon. I felt a bit sad, as this was the same route I would have driven if I had started the Rae Lakes Loop. Off to the east, I could see the clouds building over the mountains, forecasting classic afternoon thunderstorms. I had wanted to hike Zumwalt Meadow again, but as I drew near the trailhead, rain began to fall. So much for that plan. I got a second stamp from the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and made my way back toward where I would camp for the night. I considered hiking Buena Vista Peak, but decided to skip it and save my legs for the climb tomorrow. I turned on Big Meadow Road (14S11) and began looking for a possible campsite. Since this was actually Sequoia National Forest, dispersed camping is allowed. I also knew there was a campground further down the road with first-come sites. I drove past the staging area for the winter trailhead, and followed the paved road for a bit. I passed a large motorhome parked at one spot, then another camper off to the side. I came to Horse Corral Road and turned there. I found one spot that looked fine, but decided to explore some more before setting up camp. I stopped at another one which was a bit more secluded, but since I had time I opted to drive some more. Then I came to a really nice one. It appeared to be very level and had a nice eastern view. A nice rock fire-ring was there, so this became my spot. I began setting up camp, and it was then I realized I left my stove at home. Since this was just a rock fire-ring, there was no grate to set my pot on to cook my Trader Joe’s Jambalaya (recommend). Instead, I would need my fire to burn down some to allow the coals to reheat my meal. With the dinner issue solved, I enjoyed my meal as the sun sank behind me. I built the fire back up and relaxed.

I woke in the pre-dawn, partly due to the excitement and partly because I didn’t have window shades. I might invest in a full set one day. As I finished readying my pack, I saw that the ranger had accidentally issued the permit for yesterday. Crud. So, now I had to decide: ignore it and plead with a ranger if I was stopped, or try to fix it. I wasn’t sure when the permit station opened, but I was aiming for starting after 8, and the trailhead and the station were only about 2 miles away. I decided to swing by to see when they opened and try to fix it before setting off. After some coffee and breakfast, I finished packing up, double-checking my campfire was completely out, and drove back to Lodgepole. I arrived just as they were opening, and the ranger was able to adjust my permit without issue. I thanked him and set off to the trailhead at Wolverton. After storing my cooler in one of the bear lockers, I strapped on my backpack and set off. This trail is also a popular day hike, so I know I would be seeing a mix of folks along the route. My pack carried some different items than during my Yosemite trip: a bear can (my BV425), some rain gear, and my REI QuarterDome tent instead of my Gossamer Gear The One. The tent swap was for two reasons: since the REI tent uses a traditional pole system, I can set it up on rocky surfaces more easily, and being double-walled, it could handle the rain better.

The trail immediately began climbing from the parking lot. After 0.1 miles, it turns to the east and continues its climb under the shade of the forest. From time to time, the sounds of Wolverton Creek could be heard. Along the way, I met up with a group of day hikers taking a short break. I would wind up hiking with a lovely gentleman from Visalia all the way to The Watchtower. We would cross a few flowing streams, and a few wildflowers still remained in bloom along the trail. Our route turned more north-easterly as we approached The Watchtower. This trail is only open in the summer, as a portion of the trail becomes deadly from snow and ice. There is an alternate route known as The Hump, but I had no plans to take it on the way out to Pear Lake. A few backpackers passed us, returning from their stay. Soon, The Watchtower came into view. The Watchtower is a unique rock formation overlooking Tokopah Canyon. I slipped off my pack and took a break. While some do climb out onto its summit, I opted to just marvel at it from where I was. After about 20 minutes, I shouldered my pack and set off. The next section of the trail was the narrow, exposed portion. It did not bother me, but I could only imagine how my friend Ted would have disliked it. The trail joined with the bypass, and soon I reached Heather Lake. For many, this beautiful alpine lake is their destination. I was still ahead of the day hikers, so I had the lake to myself. There is no camping allowed here, but plenty of spots to enjoy a snack or even lunch.

After a short climb, I then dropped down toward the next pair of lakes. Aster Lake came into view first. This lake sits north of the trail and a bit lower. This lake also has a no-camping policy. After passing the pit toilet, I came to Emerald Lake. This lake does allow camping, and I could see a few tents scattered about at the designated site. It turns out a bear had wandered through earlier that morning, so being bear-aware was more than an academic suggestion. This site did have a bear locker, located right at the junction with the main trail and the trail that takes you to the campsites. I poked around the sites briefly. I still had about another 500 feet of elevation left to reach Pear Lake, and the trail was becoming more rocky as it neared the tree line.

I passed the junction to the Ranger Station, wondering if it was staffed. The views were stunning as the alpine terrain became more visible. Tiny patches of snow still clung to just a few spots high upon the northern nooks of the mountains. Before too long, Pear Lake came into view. This site was absolutely stunning. A blue alpine lake tucked in this bowl, surrounded by stark rocky spires. Some folks were already there as I explored the area for a possible campsite. A map of the designated sites was posted at the toilet. Since both of these lakes get enough visitors, NPS built composting toilets to minimize the impact. I found a good spot and tossed my poles down to claim it. Nearby, a hiker was relaxing, and I started chatting with him. He had camped at Emerald Lake and hiked up here this morning. I ate my lunch and enjoyed our conversation. He packed up to head back to his campsite, and I went over to mine to set it up. Once that chore was done, I slipped off my shoes and socks and enjoyed the surprisingly warm water for a bit. Some folks had brought bathing suits, and I wished I had my sandals to make wading less painful on my feet. I spent the rest of the afternoon alternating between relaxing under the shade of a tree, soaking up the views, and wandering around the lake.

Bowl and Kettle had gifted me some meals to try, and this time I brought their Crawfish Étouffée. I accidentally forgot the couple of rolls from Pyrenees Bakery, which I had hoped to pair with it. Oh well, I guess forgetting something was going to be a theme of this trip. I cooked up my meal, and thoroughly enjoyed it as I ate along the lake shore. It is a toss-up between this meal and their Chicken Tikka Masala as to my favorite (The Mexican Street Grits is also a yummy option). My phone’s battery was getting low. I went to grab my battery to charge it, only to discover I had left my cable in the car. At this point, I was the only person at the lake. I turned my phone off to save the remaining power. I didn’t need it for navigating back to the car, but I would like to take some photos along the way. I was more bummed that I wasn’t going to do any astro-photography.

A father and son rolled into the lake; unfortunately, they did not have a cable. They opted to set up camp on the western side of the lake, up on the hill. There, they discovered that there was indeed a bear locker at the lake even though the map did not indicate one. Right around dusk, a group of 6 came in. I chatted with them, pointing out the various options that might work for a group of their size. This was their first night on a multi-day trip into Table Meadows. As the sun set, I bid them good night and crawled into my tent. It took a bit to fall asleep, but sleep finally did come. I woke up a few times, and once the moon had set, I powered my phone back on to snap a couple of photos of the Milky Way.

I awoke again in the pre-dawn and made breakfast by the lake shore. As I sat there in just my sun hoodie and pants, I reflected on how lucky I was to be able to experience all of this. I packed up and set off down the trail. I turned my phone back on, but kept my tracking disabled to conserve power. At Emerald Lake, I chatted with a camper retrieving his stuff from the bear locker. It turns out, he was the one who saw the bear yesterday, almost right where we were standing. After a good 10 minutes of chatting, I bid him farewell, as I still had some miles to cover and a long drive home. Those miles went quickly; a slightly lighter pack and a lot of downhill helped.

I stopped briefly at The Watchtower before continuing my descent. I started to wonder when I might encounter my first day hikers, and around the junction with The Hump, I did. Then, once I passed the junction to Panther Gap, hoards of trail runners came up the trail. I lost count of how many; I would put it over 50 stretched out along the trail. It was clearly some training run for high schoolers, with a few coaches/adults from time to time. I would step aside again and again as they passed. Some were polite, others not so much. Finally, after about a mile of this, the last runner passed me. I thought it odd that there was not a coach or some adult acting as sweep, just one lone girl plodding up the trail. I passed more day hikers, and even a trio of backpackers making their way up. Soon, I reached the junction to take me back to the Wolverton Trailhead, and my trip came to an end. I recorded my time, knowing I could recreate my return track once I got home. I changed into some clean clothes, retrieved my cooler, and began the long drive home. I stopped at the Giant Forest Visitor Center for another stamp in my passport book. I mentioned to the ranger the large group of trail runners and the hikers with a dog on the trail. He rolled his eyes and sighed. Being so understaffed meant there was little they could do about either issue. I thanked him for what he could do to preserve the park and headed down the road. I stopped at the Foothill Visitor Center to get my final stamp before leaving. Unfortunately, I did not realize until I was home that I needed to swap out my Junior Ranger badge for the new wooden one. After refueling both the car and my stomach in Bakersfield, I stopped at Benji’s to bring some Basque food home for myself. The rest of the long drive was uneventful, just a lot of podcasts to pass the time. The final stats were 12.8 miles in 6:55 and 2,749 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Exploring the Congress Trail – Sequoia National Park

Years ago, when the twins were little, our family had a vacation at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park. During our stay, my son and I hiked the Congress Trail.

The past few visits to the park haven’t allowed me a chance to hike this trail again. Since I had time before I attempted to get a walk-up permit to backpack to Pear Lake via the Lakes Trail, I decided that revisiting this trail would be perfect. I drove up from Bakersfield, where I had spent the night, and pulled into the parking lot for the General Sherman Tree. I grabbed my waist pack and set off down the trail.

The trail was busy, as the General Sherman Tree is one of the marquee attractions in the park. Once I reached the first junction with the Congress Trail, I discovered that this initial section was closed due to some trail maintenance. Instead, I continued just a short way further down to the next junction.

The Chief Sequoyah Tree is the 29th largest giant redwood, the 14th largest tree in Sequoia National Park, and the 10th largest tree in Giant Forest. Very close to this tree is The President, also known as the Warren Harding Tree. It is the world’s 5th largest tree, the 4th largest giant redwood, the 3rd largest tree in Sequoia National Park, the 3rd largest tree in Giant Forest, and the oldest living redwood.

A short distance past it was The Senate group and just a short walk further The House group. Together, these form The Congress Group and thus the trail’s name. As the trail turned northward back to the trailhead, I passed the McKinley Tree, named in honor of the 25th President of the United States.

The trail passed through a fallen redwood, and I vividly remembered stopping here with my son, 15 years ago. I swung by the General Sherman Tree briefly. I had no need to stand in the long line to have my photo taken in front of the “photo spot”, as I admired it from off to the side. I then made the climb back to the car. My loop was 3.05 miles long, and took me 1:12 to do. It was time to head over to the permit office and see about obtaining that permit.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Visiting Airplane Monument

With another big adventure coming up soon, I did not want to tackle anything significant but still wanted to hit the trail. With the recently launched Cuyamaca Trail Trekker Challenge, hiking up to Airplane Monument seemed like a perfect option. I drove up to Green Valley Falls and paid my $10 day use fee. A sign on the kiosk informed visitors that the falls were bone dry. I then drove down to the trailhead and gathered my gear. The trail passed the small amphitheater as it began its climb. It had been warm the past few days, so I was actually hiking in shorts to keep a touch cooler, even in this early morning.

This trail linked up with the West Mesa Trail and continued to climb. From time to time, I could peer past the vegetation and gaze at the East Mesa and even the highway.

As I drew near the monument, trail signs guided me first to the right, then a short distance later to the left. Down a small connector trail sits the mounted V-12 engine from a twin-seat Army DeHaviland DH4B model biplane that crashed back in 1921. Both U.S. Army pilot First Lieutenant Charles F. Webber and U.S. Cavalry Colonel Francis C. Marshall lost their lives when, in the fog, coupled with a failing engine, they were unable to clear the mountain. This memorial was erected in their memory.

I moved the wooden Airplane Ridge High Point sign off to the side to take my photos. I considered relocating it to the actual high point, which is actually about ½ mile up Airplane Ridge. But since I was wearing shorts and I didn’t want to venture off trail to reach the proper spot, I left it behind. After a few photos and a moment of reflection, I headed back down the trail. I briefly entertained the idea of also doing Oakzanita Peak, which is on the challenge, but the day was heating up. Soon I was back at the car and heading to REI to get some fuel for my upcoming backpacking trip. The final stats for this jaunt were 3.6 miles in 1:20, with 802 feet of gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Conquering White Mountain

The goal for this weekend’s adventure was to summit White Mountain Peak, California’s third-highest peak at 14,252 feet. The day began early, with a drive from San Diego to Big Pine, where Ted Markus and I stopped for lunch and to top off the gas tank. We took CA-168 up until the junction with White Mountain Road. The twisting road climbed ever higher. We passed Grandview Campground, where I had stayed before backpacking Little Lake Valley several years ago. At Sierra View Overlook, we pulled off and took a short stroll to take in the vista.

From there, we drove on to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center. We gathered our gear and set off to hike the Methuselah Trail to start getting used to the altitude. Once done with that spectacular loop, we began the 16-mile drive to the White Mountain Peak trailhead, where we would camp for the night. As you leave the pavement behind, a sign warns drivers of sharp rocks, to check your spare tire, and there is also no cell service, no AAA service, and a minimum tow cost of $1,000. In front of the visitor center, they keep a tally of flat tires, so this warning should be taken seriously. Since I have upgraded the tires on the Outback and have a can of Fix-a-Flat, we set off. The road wasn’t too bad-almost no ruts; you just had to be mindful of the rocks. After about an hour, we reached the trailhead. It was then that I realized I had forgotten my leveling blocks, so I looked for the flattest spot I could find and hoped for the best. Ted set up his tent, and I unloaded the rest of the car. We relaxed a bit and discussed the plan for tomorrow’s hike. The parking lot had a few other cars, including a MiniCooper Countryman! Proving the road isn’t difficult; one just needs to be careful. I chatted with some of the other campers; one was from New York, out peakbagging, and four researchers who were tracking sheep. We enjoyed a nice dinner and a beverage. A few more cars arrived throughout the evening. The winds stayed calm, and we drifted off to sleep.

Around 3 am, I heard some hikers getting ready to head off, but I rolled back over and dozed until 4, our planned wake-up time. We partially broke camp and passed the locked gate a bit after 5 am. The eastern sky was slowly changing color in the predawn as we followed the road up to the Bancroft Research Station. We got the first glimpse of the sun rising just before we reached the station. This station, run by the University of California, was built for high-altitude research but appeared to be unstaffed at this time. While I had shed my wind shell earlier, Ted stopped here to peel off his. We climbed past the small observatory and got our first real sighting of White Mountain in the distance. Our route descended into a small valley before continuing upward toward the summit.

The road continued northward across the treeless terrain. Marmots would appear from time to time as we pushed on. Ted would call out our elevation from time to time, but beyond that, not much conversation was had between us. My previous elevation record was 12,637 feet atop Humphreys Peak in Arizona, while Ted had reached the summit of Pikes Peak (14,115 feet). We cruised along the trail, steadily climbing. Around the four-mile mark, we took a short break. We were still feeling good, but we could see the switchbacks ahead and knew the effort would increase.

The trail lost about 300 feet of elevation, dropping just below 13,000 feet. As we descended toward this small saddle, we knew we would feel this climb upon our return. Once we reached the switchbacks, I stayed focused on the trail and tried not to stare at the research hut atop the summit. Off in the distance, I spotted a few sheep, almost invisible against the rocky terrain. I took a breather partway for a few minutes before pushing on. With the main switchbacks behind us, the trail continued north before making one last major turn back toward the summit.

While we had seen a few snow patches off-trail from time to time, the main trail crossed a small snowfield here. The snow was still firm, and crossing it was fairly straightforward. From there, we pushed on the last 3/10th of a mile to the summit. We had made it! I slipped off my pack and relaxed in front of the research hut, while Ted photographed the views. A short time later, two more hikers joined us (one had hiked up with her dog!) The views were outstanding as we had a very clear day. We could gaze deep into Nevada to the east, and the Sierra filled our view to the west. White Mountain is the 3rd-highest peak in California and the 20th 14’er in the lower 48, at 14,252 feet.

Once recharged after some snacks, electrolytes, and some conversation with the other hikers who had made the summit, we set off back down the mountain. We opted to skip crossing the snowfield again and took a use trail that was just before it. Apart from being mindful of our footing on the rockier parts of the road, the descent went fairly well until we hit that first steep climb after the switchbacks. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long. From time to time, we would pass other hikers making their ascents. We told them about the snowfield and the option to bypass it if they wanted to. Around the White Mountain Wilderness sign, we met a gentleman who was trying to ride his mountain bike. He was just about to turn around when the altitude and the rocky terrain proved too much. We told him to push on a bit more to the point just before the road dips down to enjoy that view, then turn back. We also passed the hikers who had left at 3 am, still working their way up.

After the climb back up to the observatory, I needed a break. So, I wandered over to the dome and slipped off my pack. I mixed up some more electrolytes and drank them down. That seemed to do the trick, and we set off back down the mountain again. While it had warmed up slightly, the breeze kept it fairly pleasant overall. Soon, the trailhead came back into view, and our epic adventure was complete. We changed into some clean clothes, enjoyed a cold Coca-Cola, and then repacked the Outback for the long drive home. Once we reached Lone Pine, we stopped at The Pizza Factory for a late lunch. I logged the hike at 15.25 miles in 8:16, with a total elevation gain of 3,178 feet.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Hiking the Methuselah Trail

High up in the mountains above Owens Valley, a 45-minute drive from Big Pine, California, sits the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Ted and I drove up the winding White Mountain Road, about 10 miles from CA 168. Our plan was to stop at Schulman Grove and hike the Methuselah Trail in order to acclimatize a bit before attempting to hike up White Mountain the next day. Along the way, we made a brief stop at Sierra View Vista and walked the short trail to take in the expansive views of the Sierra. I continued driving up the paved road, climbing just over 10,000 feet in elevation. We stopped at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center and showed our pass to the staff before hitting the trail. I had been here before and hiked the Cabin Loop Trail, but did not do the Methuselah Trail.

We left the beautiful visitor center and headed down the trail. After about 300 yards, we came to a junction. From time to time, a bench would be set beside the trail to give out-of-breath hikers a place to rest and soak up the views. Off to the east, we could see down into Deep Springs Valley, then onto the Last Chance Range, and beyond that, Nevada.

On the north-facing slopes, we would find the bristlecone pines. Since the north slopes retain snow longer, they can absorb additional moisture. In addition, there is no underbrush to compete with for the limited resources for their growth. These factors are key components to their longevity.

After descending for about 1.7 miles, we came to the Methuselah Grove. Here, the bristlecone pines cluster in large numbers, growing seemingly right out of the chalky sandstone. Somewhere in this grove is the oldest living tree, at over 5,000 years old. Some of the dead trees have been dated to over 10,000 years old. Once we left the grove, we began the climb back toward the visitor center. Neither of us wanted to take the longer route, which would have taken us along the Cabin Loop Trail, as we still had another hour of driving to our intended campsite. The entire loop was 4.1 miles in 1:58, with 643 feet of elevation gain.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Exploring the Picture Canyon Trail

I realized when I was hiking in Yosemite that my trail runners had hiked on portions of the Appalachian Trail while I was visiting Shenandoah National Park and the Pacific Crest Trail. I mused, could I have them hike the “Triple Crown” by hiking a portion of the Continental Divide Trail? I doubted I could make that happen, but maybe another scenic trail? They also hiked some of the John Muir Trail… Well, over the Fourth of July weekend, my wife and I spent it in Flagstaff with a friend from college and her husband. We hiked the Picture Canyon Trail, which also included a portion of the Arizona Scenic Trail.

We decided to hike the nearby Picture Canyon Trail to kick off our time in Flagstaff. This trail is relatively flat and has several points of interest along it. From the trailhead, we opted to follow the loop counterclockwise. Down in a small, narrow canyon, water flowed over the volcanic rocks. After about 0.6 miles, we connected with the Arizona Scenic Trail. Achievement unlocked for my shoes! 🙂 We crossed over the Rio De Flag Bridge, then left the AZT to view the Waterbird Petroglyph site.

After viewing them, we began to loop back around. Unfortunately, the air was also starting to turn, as the winds had shifted and the smoke from the Pocket Fire was now starting to arrive. When the trail we were on crossed the AZT again, the ladies stayed on the Tom Moody Trail for a shorter route back to the trailhead, while the guys hopped back on the AZT. After about 0.6 miles, we came to the junction with the Don Weaver Trail. This trail took us past the remains of an indigenous dwelling known as the Pithouse and an overlook. We soon found ourselves back at the car. This easy loop was 4.3 miles long and took us 1:49.

After lunch, we headed into downtown Flagstaff, where I stopped into Evolved Supply Co. While Darwin was not in, I enjoyed chatting with some of the staff. Unfortunately, the pot I wanted to buy was sold out (I placed an order online).

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Backpacking Yosemite High Sierra Camps

Originally, I had a permit to hike the Yosemite High Sierra Camp loop in July, but my summer plans changed, and I could no longer go due to classes. Thankfully, I was able to score one during my break between them. I drove up to Lee Vining, checked into my room, then made my way to the Whoa Nellie Deli for some fish tacos. Afterward, I watched the sun fade over Mono Lake. The next morning, I grabbed breakfast at Nicely’s, then checked out and grabbed a turkey sandwich for later. The drive up over Tioga Pass is always stunning. Bits of snow clung to the tops of some of the peaks. I pulled into the parking lot at the Wilderness permit station and quickly got my permit. The plan was to camp at each of the five High Sierra Camps; the ranger did caution me that the mosquitoes were bad at Sunrise and Vogelsang. I shouldered my pack and set off. Since I had hiked this section last year, I had less anxiety about what lay ahead.

As I reached the parking lot for Lambert Dome, some PCT hikers were looking for a hitch down the road. I inquired about how Glen Pass was, and they confirmed that it was not too bad, but you needed to tackle it early before it became slushy. I wished them well on their journey and continued on.

The hike down to Glen Aulin is pretty mellow, as it mostly follows the Tuolumne River. I stopped at Soda Springs, then at Parsons Lodge. Crews were doing some trail work nearby, and I thanked them for their efforts. From time to time, hikers passed me as they headed back to the meadow. After crossing the first bridge, I took a short snack break, watching the water flow by.

The trail worked its way past a few small waterfalls before finally reaching the bridge that would cross back across the Tuolumne and into Glen Aulin. I decided to see if the site I used last time was open, and it was. A couple from Florida was nearby, but I was respectfully far enough away. After setting up my tent, I ate that sandwich, then stored my pack in one of the lockers. For the afternoon, I relaxed and, after a short nap, wandered down to enjoy the views. A PCT thru-hiker joined me and a couple from Florida on the ledge and set up camp. He went by Casper and finally realized his dream of hiking the whole trail. Dinner was a Chili Mac meal, but I brought some homemade cornbread to have with it. With a full stomach, I turned in, knowing I had a modest climb tomorrow to the next camp.

I awoke around dawn and enjoyed breakfast before packing up. Crossing back over the Tuolumne, almost all of today’s hike would be a steady climb up to May Lake. Again, with less anxiety about the trail, I kept it at a more mellow pace. Some of the smaller streams were almost dry, but I still had a few stream crossings to make. I met another hiker making their way from May Lake. We chatted for a bit, and she confirmed that the bugs at Sunrise were awful, and some hikers actually left due to the mosquitoes. Great, not the news I wanted to hear. We wished each other well on our respective hikes.

I took a snack break at the same spot as last time, just being mindful not to lose my tripod this time. The trail becomes a bit more exposed, so that early start helped. I focused on my pace as the climb also became steeper. Before too long, I spied May Lake peeking through the trees. To my amazement, there were workers reassembling the actual camp! I wondered if they were going to reopen just this one or more? There were several large groups set up, so I scouted around for a spot that would give me a little space. Once set up, I enjoyed the area again. The bugs were minimal, so I could really just relax. The deeper question in my mind was the bugs at Sunrise (and the climb up to it). There actually is cell service here, so I let Anita know I might change plans and would keep her posted.

For dinner, I had Chicken Tikka Masala from Bowl and Kettle. They had sent me some of their meals to enjoy on this trek. I had this one before and could not wait to dive in. I also packed in some naan from Trader Joe’s to have with it. As I ate my meal, the sun slowly retreated behind Mt. Hoffman. After a hard day, I turned in and began debating my options for tomorrow.

I awoke again before dawn and quickly packed up. I decided to skip breakfast and just have a bar and some electrolytes before heading down to Tenya Lake. The early morning sun shone on Half Dome to the west. Once I reached the May Lake Trailhead, I dumped some trash before continuing on.

Once at Tenya Lake and the Sunrise Trailhead, I took a break and made breakfast. The parking lot was pretty full, as this trailhead is the one to Clouds Rest, a hike I have on my list. The trail stayed mellow for a while. Fresh bear scat was on the trail. I took a photo to denote the location for the rangers. Soon, the trail would begin its climb to Sunrise Lake. Even being very mindful of my pace, I actually caught some day hikers. At the trail junction for Clouds Rest, I took a snack break. Those day hikers caught back up, and some continued on to what I have heard is one of the most epic views in the park, while one pair headed on to the lake for some fishing.

I reached the first lake, and it was another stunning sight. After carefully crossing the outflow, I continued past the other two lakes before the last small climb. One tiny patch of snow remained on the trail just before I began my descent toward Sunrise HSC. I had chatted with some of the hikers passing in the other direction, and they validated the intensity of the bugs.

I crossed over a small stream to be rewarded with an incredible vista of the meadow and snow-capped mountains beyond. At a minimum, I knew this would be an outstanding lunch spot. As I ate, I debated whether to continue down to Merced HSC or hop on the John Muir Trail past Cathedral Lakes back to Tuolumne. Since the mosquitoes weren’t too bad at the moment, I found a nice site and made camp. It was just too beautiful not to try to stay. Plus, the lockers and pit toilet weren’t too far away. I slipped into my tent for a nap. When I awoke, there were certainly more mosquitoes buzzing around my tent. I ventured out to see the actual HSC and refill my water bottles.

I dove back into my tent, killing a few that snuck in. I slipped on my headphones and began catching up on some podcasts. Maybe I should have pushed on to Merced HSC? But it was a bit too late in the day to hike the 10 miles, plus I also heard it wasn’t exactly bug-free either. If I had had some company, it might have been easier to pass the time. For dinner, I had another meal from Bowl and Kettle, this time their Sweet Corn Grits. More mosquitoes were now buzzing about, so I ate in the tent. While I might have southern roots, grits were never my thing, but this dinner rocked!

I was glad I had downloaded some Netflix to watch as the sun slowly set. After another quick run to refresh my water and store my gear in the locker, I waited for the sun to dip behind the trees before turning in. A quarter moon was up and shining bright. I had to slip my beanie down to block the light. I still wasn’t sure about tomorrow’s adventure, so for now I just enjoyed the moment.

I awoke before dawn, in part to pack up before the mosquitoes came out. I took a moment to make breakfast and relish in the view. I finished packing, topped off my water, and set off. I had decided to exit. Spending the afternoon trapped in my tent was not my idea of fun at the next two sites.

Frost covered the meadow as I headed northward. While I had about 10 miles to get back to the car, it was mostly going to be downhill, except for a small climb over Cathedral Pass. The imposing Columbia Finger stood towering before me. Once over the pass, I soon passed Cathedral Lakes. The mosquitoes were back out, and other backpackers passed, some with bug nets on. I had mine ready just in case. Since the trail was mellow, I enjoyed my snack on the go to avoid being swarmed.

Once past the lake, I started passing more day hikers coming to enjoy it. As the miles slipped past, I reflected on the past four days and was pleased with the adventure. Once back at the meadow, I headed to the store and grabbed a soda. I sat on the bench out front, watching the various PCT hikers milling about. Some repacked their resupply boxes, while others were enjoying a breakfast burrito. I still had a long drive home, so I did not linger any longer.

Back at the car, I tossed my pack in the back and changed into some fresh clothes before setting off. I hit Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine for lunch and Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ for some bread. All told, even with the mosquitoes, this was still a fantastic four days exploring Yosemite. Maybe I can grab another permit once the bugs are less of a problem and do a point-to-point hike from Tuolumne to Vogelsang, then to Merced, and finally to the Valley. Just need a shuttle bus running or another way to get back.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Returning to Sawmill Mountain

My son wanted to get away for the weekend, so I suggested that we head up toward Los Padres and camp at McGill Campground. After a small mix-up with the campground reservation, we got an even better site. After setting up, we relaxed a bit before cooking dinner, then continued relaxing by the campfire. The next morning, I made the short drive to Nordic Base to hike out to Sawmill Mountain.

I had considered Antimony Peak, but I was still nursing some calf tightness, and thought I should stick to a trail I knew well. I kept my pace a bit more on the mellow side; there was no need to set a PR. Before too long, the communication tower atop Mt. Pinos came into view. I swung by Ventura County’s high point, snapped a few photos, and motored on.

Quite a few Snow Plants dotted the sides of the trail. Usually, I might see one or two, but this time there were a lot more. A nice breeze kept the hike refreshing as I made my way down the saddle, then up toward Sawmill. Just as I was approaching the massive cairn, I met two hikers. We chatted a bit; they were off to hike Grouse Mountain for the 3-2-1 challenge. At the summit, I snapped a few photos and grabbed a snack. Leaving the summit, I met a trail runner who was hoping to make it all the way to Cerro Norteste. I wished him well on his run and continued back to the trailhead. I met a few other hikers along the way. When I got back to my car, I discovered that something went wrong with my recording. Drat! I was curious to see how long I had been moving, and I only had my total time (I stopped a few times for longer conversations with some of those hikers).

Once back at the campground, we packed up the car and headed off for the next adventure. We grabbed some tri-tip sandwiches from the market, then drove to the top of Frazier Mountain. The road was manageable. There were some rocky sections, but nothing too bothersome with good off-road tires. At the summit, we broke out the chairs and enjoyed both the view and the sandwiches. Afterward, we explored the abandoned fire lookout tower before heading back down the mountain and finally home.

I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!

I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.

Bring the Outdoors to Your Inbox

Bring the Outdoors to Your Inbox

Bring the Outdoors to Your Inbox

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