Distance: 1.9 MilesElevation Gained: 600'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 0:47:00Critters: NonePros:- I'm engaged to be married to Kelly Clifton- Nice hiking right across the streetCons:- Steep!Details:Obviously, very little about this particular blog will have anything to do with hiking. On the first day in Montana, I proposed to Kelly Clifton while we lingered on the deck in the …
30 Hikes in 30 Days
I just completed one last hike in June to bring the number of hikes I've taken in June to 30. This means I have taken 30 hikes in 30 days, which I did to celebrate Kelly's accomplishment of taking 31 yoga classes in 31 days. In some ways, this turned into a quantity over quality exercise, …
Halfway
The year is now almost halfway over, which means it is time to review what I have done during the last three months since the last time I posted a "quarter-review." I'm a few days early for the mid-point, which is July 1st, but I will be taking a little break from hiking while I …
Mt. San Gorgonio
Distance: 17.2 Miles (over two days)Elevation Gained: 5,500'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 13:00 (Estimated since this was a backpacking trip)Critters: Larcenous chipmunksPros:- Highest peak in Southern California- Beautiful high country topography and flora- Incredible views- Sense of accomplishmentCons:- Rampant air pollution in the low-lying basinsDetails:This way, pleaseMt. San Gorgonio is a Southern California superlative. At 11,503', it is …
Alta Peak – Sequoia National Park
Distance: 17 MilesElevation Gained: 4,500'Difficulty: StrenuousTime: 7:15Critters: Marmots, DeerPros:- Easily accessible peak and high country on the west side of the Sierras- Incredible views of the High Sierras and Great Western DivideCons:- Getting lost and not making it through Giant Forest sucked quite a bit- Finishing the hike lost and having to walk a mile …
Crescent Meadow – Sequoia National Park
Distance: 1 MileElevation Gained: NegligibleDifficulty: EasyTime: Wasn't keeping track, to be honestCritters: NonePros:- Probably the most beautiful place in the Sierra Nevadas, which makes it one of the most beautiful places anywhere.- Some of the most incredible light I've ever seen. Cons:- No such thing when it comes to Crescent MeadowDetails: Crescent Meadow is the …
Tokopah Falls – Sequoia National Park
Distance: 3.4 MilesElevation Gained: 400'Difficulty: EasyTime: 2 hours?Critters: Deer, marmot, rumors of a bearPros:- Easy hike through a beautiful glacial valley- Enormous cascading waterfall- Towering rock cragsCons:- Close to Lodgepole Campground, which is a noisy madhouse Details:Tokopah Falls is one of the landmark trails in Sequoia National Park. The trailhead is located within Lodgepole Campground …
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 …
Tecolote Canyon (plus Torrey Pines Extension)
Distance: 2.5 (Total)Elevation gained: 200Difficulty: EasyTime: 0:46:00Critters: NonePros: (Tecolote)- NoneCons: (Tecolote)- Overdeveloped- Dirty- NoisyJune:6/30 hikesDetails:Ugh.Tecolote Canyon, while not a bad place in itself, is a hike that should probably be avoided unless you live nearby and you need a convenient place to walk the dog. It's also a lesson in the pitfalls of development, which …
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Santa Margarita River + Los Jilgueros and Hellers Bend
Distance: 6.8, 1.1, 1.2 (Santa Margarita, Los Jilgueros, and Hellers Bend, respectively)Elevation Gained: 320', 0', 300'Difficulty: Easy + easy + easy = moderateTime: 2:38, :23, :27Critters: Dog of the Day with the cone of shame, a fleet of rabbits and squirrels, coots, bullfrogsPros:- Lovely, easy hiking along the Santa Margarita River- Easily accessed beauty spots …
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scott turner hikes 