We had a great plan for our trip to Kaua’i at the end of August 2009, knowing that our true target, the Kalalau Trail, was closed for a goat hunt. We planned to drive to Kekaha, on the western (leeward and dry) side of the island to pick up a kayak from friends and paddle […]

On July 19, 2010, the message was posted on the Baldy for the Blind website, “Mt. Baldy was a success!!” The dream of reaching the summit of Mt Baldy, the 3248 m (10,068 ft) peak that dominates the the horizon to the southeast of the City of Los Angeles had been realized for a group […]

I’ve heard it said that no Californian can call themselves a climber without reaching the summit of the highest peak in the Lower forty-eight. Mt Whitney, at 4421 m (14,505 ft), is not the most difficult peak to reach, but it is a long, challenging trail to reach the summit. We joined a group that […]

More than anything else, we drink water. I’m sure you’ve heard about humans surviving 28 days without food but only 3 days without water. Fortunately, I haven’t had a chance to test either one. We live in Southern California (dry) and hike in places like the Eastern Sierras (very dry) and staying hydrated needs to […]

Undoubtedly one of the best peak climbs in Southern California. Mt Baden Powell is a very prominent, pyramid-shaped peak that can be approached from several points. We chose to hike from the Vincent Gap trailhead, which is found a few miles north of the Grassy Hollow Visitors Center on the Angeles Crest Highway (Route 2). […]

Not the steepest trail, but a great distance hike that starts on the eastern side of the Arroyo Seco, overlooking Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For the first 2.5 km (1.5 miles), you’ll wonder if you’re actually on a nature hike as the trail starts off on pavement and stays within sight of houses. Once you […]

The trail was hot and dusty when we started walking at 2:30 in the afternoon. We made sure the dogs had plenty of water before starting, but even so, they started panting and looking miserable within a few minutes of getting on the trail. Our solution was a trick we saw in brittany field trials…we […]

Our rescued brittanys love hiking with us and have even ridden on kayaks, but I think their favorite thing to do is go to the beach (just like us). We knew that our friends visiting from France could enjoy Huntington Beach Dog Beach as much as the dogs, so it was an easy choice for […]

This is a continuation of Four perfect days in Kings Canyon – Roads End to Sphinx Creek. Day 4 – Roads End to Lower Tent Meadows After hiking on at least partially the same trails the prior two days, we decided it would be good to take a new direction from Roads End…to the north. […]

This is a continuation of Four perfect days in Kings Canyon. Day 3 – Roads End to Sphinx Creek An early start allowed us to park at Roads End once again and to be on the Woods Creek Trail well before the hot part of the day. This trail was the very same one that […]