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 Margarita River
The Santa Margarita River is a rare and relatively undisturbed watercourse that drains the Santa Ana Mountains. Large sections of this river are protected habitats, and it flows roughly the same way that it has for the last few thousands of years before Southern California was developed. It features a rich riparian environment, as well …
Los Santos/Trans-Preserve Loop
Emerald fields studded by oak trees with small patches of wild flowers springing up in the warm March sunshine. These classic California sites don't last very long, especially following a dryer-than-average winter. However, these things are there for the seeing, and the trails are there for the hiking at Santa Rosa Plateau on this small …
Palomar State Park, Autumn Edition
Panorama looking south from the crest of Palomar MountainDistance: 2-3 MilesElevation Gained: Minimal - there are only a few brief moments of climbingDifficulty: EasyCritters: 1 DeerDirections to the Doane Pond Parking LotDetailsCedar and White Fir forest along the Doane Valley Nature TrailI came to Palomar Mountain for the first time with Kelly on January 1st …
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 …
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 …
Yellowstone: Midway Geyser Basin
Distance: 1.1 MileElevation Gained: NoneDifficulty: EasyTime: 0:45:00Critters: A herd of bisonPros:- Ridiculously colorful- Grand Prismatic Spring is kind of insaneCons:- Crowded- People can be really stupid some times- We were tiredDetails:Our last stops in Yellowstone were geothermal in nature. Recalling a trip to Yellowstone when I was just an embryo, I wanted to stop at …
Yellowstone: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
Distance: 3 MilesElevation Gained: 1,000'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 2:00Critters: Bison, elkPros:- Epic waterfalls- Epic views of an epic canyonCons:- Hot- Crowded, particularly on the stairs- Sight-seeing fatigueDetails:After the stops at Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs, Kelly and I set out for a long stretch of driving around the northern loop through Yellowstone Park. To …
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scott turner hikes 