A few years ago, I hiked 180 miles of the 211+ mile John Muir Trail (JMT) with my 11 year old son. The JMT runs through the Eastern Sierra mountains in California, starting from Yosemite Valley to the summit of
Backpacking the Rae Lakes Loop in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) is one of the best multi-day backpacking trips you can do in California. This is an awesome and challenging backpacking route – perfect for backpackers looking for
More than 1,500 people attempt to walk the entire John Muir Trail every year. A bit more than half of them succeed in a good year, with less than a third making it through in a year with natural challenges
Our two favorite things to do in the outdoors in California is hike and camp. Why not combine the two with a backpack camping trip? We know camping in Southern California is very popular with families to couples and folks
One of the things we have done as a family almost from day 1 was hike together. Through many years and hundreds of miles of adventuring on easy toddler hikes to epic backpacking trips, we have narrowed down the best
Are you looking for the best hiking clothing for women? If so, you have come to the right place. I will start off by saying, that hiking gear is not a must have to get out and explore the world.
Are you thinking of going to Zion National Park with kids? Zion National Park located in Southern Utah was one of the best kept secrets of the national park system. These days, the secret is out about what a fabulous
El Salvador was one of the last countries in Central America I had not yet visited. I have flown through it several times, but never stopped. While looking for somewhere to go for my yearly birthday trip, a cheap flight
Did you know that you can find fall colors in California? While New England wins hand down for the best fall colors, those of us on the west coast can also cash in on this fall favorite. Mammoth Lakes fall
Often only thought of as Southern California’s place to play in the snow, there are a ton of great things to do in Big Bear throughout the year. As the heat of the summer sets in, Big Bear is the
Big Pine Lakes Trail in California is one of the most beautiful hikes you can do in the United States. Whether you are day hiking or backpacking Big Pine Lakes, the view once you reach the glacial lakes will take
Are you heading to Arizona? If so you must visit the little town that has blown up in recent years. There are so many things to do in Page Arizona that you will need to plan a few days to
Would you ever have guessed that hiking in Los Angeles is *the* thing to do here? We were so surprised to learn this when we moved here 9 years ago. Traffic, yes. Celebrities, of course. But hiking? Yes! it is
Looking for the best Joshua Tree hikes? You have come to the right place. Joshua Tree National Park in California has become one of our favorite go-to trips – either as a day trip or for a last minute weekend
One of my favorite national parks that is often overlooked is Kings Canyon National Park. Most visitors see only a tiny portion of the park from the top entrance, never taking the time to get down into the deepest canyon
If you are looking for a magical getaway, consider visiting Sequoia National Park in winter. The majestic red giants are covered in glistening white snow creating a breathtaking landscape that is hard to beat. Sequoia National Park is one of
Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierras is one of the most beautiful hikes in the high sierra and one our favorite backpacking hikes in California with kids and for beginners. This beautiful hike follows along a creek, passes several
Zion National Park is known for one of it’s most beautiful and distinctive trails, the Zion Narrows hike. It brings visitors of all ages, shapes and forms, as it is one of the most popular hikes in the park. What
There are so many amazing things to do in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. If you are planning a trip there, we have everything you need to know to get you started from where to stay, what the best
Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail is a bucket list trail for many in Southern California. Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island offers diverse rugged scenery with opportunities for outdoor activities like diving, snorkeling, hiking and