Last year, I set a goal for myself that I would hike 1,000 miles in a year. This goal encompassed exploration of new and old places, a physical fitness challenge, a philosophical, emotional, and intellectual undertaking, an outlet creativity, and a way to relax.I learned a great deal along the way, which I will detail …
Yosemite, Day 3: Cloud’s Rest
Distance: 14.2Elevation Gained: 2,500Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 6:50Critters: Deer, GrousesNew Trees: Mountain Hemlock, White PineDetails:After months of hiking, planning, charting, and documenting, it all came down to one last hike. I had tried to work everything out so that my last hike in this process would be a memorable one to make a fitting end for what …
Yosemite, Day 2: Sentinel Meadow
Distance: 1 MileElevation Gained: negligibleDifficulty: EasyTime: 1 hourCritters: 3 bucksDetails:We had finished Panorama Trail, but, by my calculations, I needed at least 15 miles to reach my goal of 1,000 miles on the year. I was debating whether I would traverse Cloud's Rest and come down the same gory downhill stretch of the Muir Trail, …
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 …
Palomar Mountain, Summer Edition
A panoramic view of Jeffrey pines and Lower Doane ValleyDistance: 5.6 MilesElevation Gained: 800’Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:04Critters: A garter snake, hawks, squirrels, two deerPros:- A unique mountain environment- Perfect weather for hiking- Kelly was there- Arguably the best hike in the San Diego areaCons:- Don’t be sillyDetails:Shadows lengthen across the south end of Upper Doane ValleyIn …
Mt. Whitney
Panorama looking south from Whitney summitPanorama looking north from Whitney summitDistance: 15.7 MilesElevation Gained: 3,000'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 11:00Critters: Marmots, ChipmunksPros:- The most epic mountain views I've ever seen- Night hiking under an impressive canopy of stars- Sunrise at 13,600 feetCons:- Aside from a headache at the top, none- Having to experience the wag bag at an …
Mt. Whitney Trail to Trail Camp and Consultation Lake
Distance: 7.3 MilesElevation Gained: 3,900'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 6 Hours, approximatelyCritters: Marmots, chipmunksPros:- Some of the most epic scenery ever- Alpine Lakes- Towering granite crags- Adventures at Trail CampCons:- Thunder, lightning, and hail- Wet camping gearDetails:Adventure. Excitement. A hiker craves not these things. Or perhaps he does since, even though events may suck at the time, the …
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Alabama Hills
Distance: 1.7 MilesElevation Gained: 150'Difficulty: EasyTime: 0:48Critters: NonePros:- Weird boulder formations- Not nearly as hot as the desert normally is in AugustCons:- NoneDetails:I got back to my car at the Meysan Lake trailhead just in time to feel the first few fat drops of rain hit my windshield. The threat of a thunderstorm had become …
Meysan Lakes Trail
Distance: 7 MilesElevation Gained: 2,400Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 3:45Critters: Marmots, chipmunksNew trees: Singleleaf Pinyon Pine, Black Cottonwood, Mountain Alder, Mountain MahoganyPros:- Great warm-up for Whitney- I love the Sierra Nevada MountainsCons:- Forgot the sunscreen- Looming thunderstormsDetails:So, this Whitney thing kind of fell into my lap. I met a guy named Kyle on a hike to Mt. …
scott turner hikes 