In April 2016, two of us decided to do the hike from Badwater Basin - the lowest point in North America (-282 feet) - to nearby 11,043 foot Telescope Peak, and we wanted to do it in one day.
On December 30th, 2015, two of us set out for a New Years Eve trek along the Lost Coast. The ~25 mile trail hugs a remote shoreline on the Northern California coast. The northern trailhead at Matthole Beach takes some time to access via windy, rugged dirt roads, while the southern terminus at Black Sand Beach is more easily accessible. After dropping off a vehicle at the southern end, we drove up to Matthole Beach, and set off onto the trail.
Despite the ranger's warnings of winter conditions and impending storms at the Prather High Sierra Ranger Station, three of us set into the Sierra in November of 2015.
It was early June and we arrived in Yosemite in the middle of the night hoping to get to the Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station early enough to obtain a highly coveted wilderness permit. We'd heard that people line up as early as 3 AM sometimes, so we were prepared to do just that.
With 2015 being the 4th and most drastic year yet of an ongoing California drought, we thought it would be a good time to do a mid-May trek on a segment of the John Muir Trail (JMT) in the High Sierra. Seven of us left San Francisco in two cars, and about 5 hours later we arrived at Lake Thomas Edison with a leisurely 6 day, 30ish mile adventure planned. Of course, there was word of a winter storm on the way, but we were determined to get on the trail and crest some mountains.
In late September 2014, six of us set out from San Francisco over the Sierras to Red's Meadow near Mammoth Lakes. We would enter the John Muir Trail there for a short segment to Purple Lake, and then back through the Duck Pass Trail where a 2nd car was waiting. The overall trip was about 25 miles and lasted 5 days with a day off.
The Jetboil cooking system is a great way to boil water on the trail. It might be a little heavier than some other ultralight cooking options, but the fuel efficiency makes up for that in a hurry. Furthermore, with just a few slight modifications, one can shed 4 - 5 oz. from their Jetboil weight -- making this cooking option truly the sweetest one out there.
Trekking poles are a backcountry hiker's absolute best friend when it comes to maintaining your most important hiking asset: your knees. Studies have shown that using poles can reduce joint impacts by about 20%. The difference is significantly noticeable during downhill segments where the impact on the knees is greatest.
The LuminAID PackLite 16 solar powered inflatable camp light is just what the doctor ordered to keep your camping area lit on dark nights when a fire isn't feasible or permitted. It also works well as a light for reading or getting situated inside your tent.
In early July 2016, two of us made our way to Red's Meadow for an "in & out" trip to Iva Bell Hot Springs via the Fish Creek Trail. This easy going trail descends into the Cascade Valley and is covered in wildflowers.