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 5: Beehive Basin
Distance: 6.4Elevation Gained: 1,400'Difficulty: Moderately StrenuousTime: 3:15Critters: Marmots, Great DanesPros:- Alpine scenery- Alpine lake- Mountains surrounding the alpine lake- Wildflowers galoreCons:- Lots of dead pine trees that fell victim to pine beetlesDetails:Beehive Basin was the last of the hikes I had planned to do in the Big Sky area. I tagged it on almost as …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "Buena Vista Peak – Kings Canyon National Park"
Redwood Canyon – Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 7.1 MilesElevation Gained: 1,200'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:50Critters: An armada of butterflies, two deer, one bearPros:- Sequoia Trees- Less traveled than Giant Forest- Flowers and butterflies- Cold, clear creeks- Mountain viewsCons:- We can pretty much leave out cons when we're talking about the Sierra Nevadas, okay?Details:Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are two of my favorite …
Continue reading "Redwood Canyon – Kings Canyon National Park"
Palomar Mountain, Revisited
Boucher Hill Trail - Adams Trail - Cedar Trail - Doane Valley Nature Trail - Weir Trail - Upper French Valley Trail - Thunder Spring Trail - Chimney Flat Trail - Silvercrest TrailDistance: 8.8Elevation Gained: 1,200Difficulty: ModerateTime: 4:00Critters: Ravens, Hawks, Doves, Quail, Wild Turkeys Palomar Mountainhttp://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swfhttp://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1568554Pros:- Best mountain scenery in San Diego County- Everything is …
The Best Hikes in San Diego
About one year ago, I posted this blog to showcase what I think are the best hikes in San Diego. Since then, I've experienced more and changed my mind a few times, thus necessitating some updates. This updated version features ten more hikes, ranked in a purely subjective way. You may consider this a resource …
scott turner hikes 