I’ll admit it, I didn’t pay to see the Point Arena Lighthouse. I’m sure it cool, but I didn’t feel like shelling out $25 (or $7.50/person) to drive in, walk around, maybe climb the tower, and leave. It wasn’t worth…
Yosemite’s Bridal Veil Falls in Midsummer
One of the great things about Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite is that it flows all year (unlike Yosemite Falls, which turns into Yosemite Fell about the middle of July or early August). Another great thing about Bridal Veil Falls…
Solitude at Manchester Beach State Park
Manchester State Park, just north of Point Arena along the California Coast, is so deserted that it’s nearly been shut down – twice. But somehow it lives on, quiet and secluded, a beach with an overabundance of driftwood and excellent…
A Shorter Path to Sentinel Dome
Sentinel Dome is one of my favorite places in Yosemite to view Yosemite Falls. You’re above the falls, but across the valley, so it’s easy to see, and the hike isn’t exactly arduous – if you use the real parking…
Point Reyes – Lighthouse Trail and Chimney Rock
It’s been said that Point Reyes is the second foggiest place in North America – the foggiest being somewhere in Newfoundland – so it shouldn’t have surprised me that it was foggy when we visited late one afternoon in July. …
17+ Epic Lake Day Hikes (You’ve Probably Never Heard Of)
Or, more accurately, Epic Lake Day Hikes in the Western US You Haven’t Heard Of But Should Visit ASAP I may be a view junkie, but lakes have never held a special appeal to me. Well – they did…
Early Season Hiking to Clouds Rest – and Yosemite’s Best
Turn left at the stream that looks like a trail. Then, turn right at the trail that looks like a stream. -One of my group members remembering the Clouds Rest Trail If there was one hike in Yosemite that…
Lassen Swimming Hole in Butte Lake!
Have you ever wanted to swim in a lava flow? Not in the lava, I mean, but in water among the remains of the hardened lava rock? It’s a big thing in Hawaii to swim or at least walk…
Lakes & Peaks: Duck Pass
If you can do one trail near Mammoth Lakes, CA, Duck Pass certainly should rank high on your list of possibilities. The trail passes by several lakes between mountains before ascending to an 10,800ft. pass overlooking the valley you just…
Evening at Badwater Basin
We were crazy to go to Badwater Basin in the middle of June the week after record-breaking high temperatures in California. We knew we were crazy. But we also wanted to hike Telescope Peak, and since we had to travel…