Tucked back from the main road opposite the trail to the more famous Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) in Haleakala National Park, the Pipiwai Trail leads through forests and along a creek until it reaches a towering waterfall. While the waterfall is pretty nice, the highlight of this trail is the mile-long stretch that runs …
Santa Anita Canyon, Thanksgiving Day Edition
Distance: I'm guessing about 7.5-8 MilesElevation gained: I'm guessing 2,200'Difficulty: Moderately strenuousCritters: Grey squirrels galore.Get there like this.Note: You will need an Adventure PassJust as important: You need to get here early on weekends and holidays since this place is insanely popular.Just a few linear miles from the endless urban sprawl of Los Angeles county …
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Giant Forest
This is the last blog in the Yosemite series, and will probably be the last hike I do for a couple of weeks. I've got what I believe is plantar fasciitis, and I'm going to take some time off from hiking to see if the rest will do it any good. I also will be …
Yosemite, Day 2: Panorama Trail
Distance: 8.5 MilesElevation Gained: 800'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 4:45Critters: NoneDetails:The Panorama Trail is one of the more popular and famous trails in Yosemite. It doesn't rank quite up there with Half Dome or Yosemite Falls, but it still encompasses one of the most popular areas of the Valley, from Glacier Point two the canyon holding Vernal …
Yosemite, Day 1: Tenaya Canyon
Distance: 5.9 MilesElevation Gained: 250'Difficulty: EasyTime: 2:19Critters: A buck, a doe, and a fawnNote: I am retiring pros and cons.Details:Kelly and I were so excited to go on this trip that I nearly almost not quite convinced her to leave at 10pm the night before the trip was supposed to start. We had reservations to …
Mt. Baden-Powell (via Islip Saddle)
Distance: 15.5 MilesElevation Gained: 3,700'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 5:43Critters: DeerPros:- Elevation gain stretched out over long distances makes lots of easy stretches- Great desert, mountain, and city views- Lovely forestCons:- Since I didn't bring hiking poles, my knees are killing me- One section features a 500' descent and re-ascent, which just isn't funnyDetails:Mt. Baden-Powell is a 9,400' …
Montana, Day 4: Cinnamon Mountain
Distance: 8 milesElevation Gained: 2,650’Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 3:34Critters: NonePros:-          Expansive 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains in the Gallatin/Big Sky Area-          Meadows covered in wildflowers-          Legit mountain climbing with only half the effort!Cons:-          The thunderstorm that rolled in limited my time up topDetails:Cinnamon Mountain lies within Gallatin National Forest and rises above the canyon as a bump that …
Montana, Day 3: Lava Lake
Distance: 5.7 MilesElevation Gained: 1,600'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 3:05Critters: One brown bearPros:- Lava Lake is stunning- The trail follows a busy creek the entire wayCons:- Bear gave us the heebiesDetails:Lava Lake was high on my to-do list for hiking in Montana. The lake itself closely resembles the classic glacier lake; it sits in a long, u-shaped …
Jennie Lakes Wilderness
Distance: 4.6 MilesElevation Gained: 1,400Difficulty: ModerateTime: No idea  : )Critters: butterfliesPros:- More rolling mountainsides, mixed-conifer forest, and views- Easy access from campsite- Good conditioning hikeCons:- None to speak of, unless you're comparing it to more remarkable hikes nearbyDetails:The Jennie Lakes Wilderness sits in a nook between an arm of Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia …
Buena Vista Peak – Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 2 MilesElevation Gained: 400'Difficulty: EasyTime: 1:00 (?)Critters: NonePros:- Easy hike to a great view of Redwood Canyon- Great granite rock formations- Evening bird community is amazing to hear Cons:- The trail to the top is confusing, especially where the trail switches back to the peak Details:After the Redwood Canyon hike, I waited for Sean …
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scott turner hikes 