Nederland is a charming town in Colorado just 30 mins north of Boulder. There’s many things to do such as hiking, camping, skiing, visiting breweries, ghost towns, carousels, and more. Read for the 19 best things to do.
The Hollywood Sign is a must-hike for tourists and there are many different trails for all levels of hikers. The shortest and best hike to access the Hollywood Sign is from the Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak. How long is the hike to the Hollywood Sign? The duration of the hike to the Hollywood Sign …
Hollywood Sign Hike: The Best & Shortest Trail to Get to the Top Read More »
Inyo Craters is a short and easy hike located in Mammoth Lakes, CA. It’s only 0.4 mi which makes it a good quick stop for tourists and hikers
DEN Reserve is a new program at DIA that allows general travelers to skip the long TSA lines by reserving a designated time slot at security. If you’re traveling out of Colorado from your Rocky Mountain adventures, this travel hack will save you a lot of time at the airport.
The new Bestway Alpitelite and Wanderlite sleeping pads are launching in 2024 – here’s what you need to know about them!
If you’re looking for an affordable winter sleeping pad, this one’s for you.
Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs is a free public bathhouse in Wyoming. It’s the perfect detour for a soak on a Colorado to Wyoming roadtrip – read more about it.
Astoria Hot Springs is a mineral hot spring near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There is a paid hot spring park and a free natural hot spring on opposite side of the Snake River in Hoback. This hot spring is worth the visit all year round!
Mount Bierstadt is considered one of the easiest 14ers in Colorado and but the West Slope still gains about 2400 ft in 3.6 miles one way. There’s also cool mountain goast on this trail!
Granite Falls in Wyoming is a wide waterfall in Teton National Forest. There is a little secret hot spring along the creek you can soak in for free instead of paying for the hot spring pool above.
Delta Lake in Wyoming is the best hike in Grand Teton National Park for your summer and early Fall visits! It’s strenuous but the milky green lake from the glacial silt with views of Tetons is worth it!
Dream Lake hike in Rocky Mountain National Park is a picturesque one mile hike. An extra half a mile will lead you to Emerald Lake.
The trail to Lower Lamarck Lake in Bishop is short and steep, gaining 1,300 ft in just under 2 miles. This hike to a beautiful alpine lake is worth it if you’re looking for a good workout near Bishop before leaving the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
The Human Nest is the most unique glamping campsite in all of California. Learn how you can sleep here and explore coastal hikes near Big Sur
A week in the Cascades: climb Mount St Helens, Mount Adams, stay powered up with ZAGG portable chargers, and recover with natural hot springs
Camping in Mammoth Lakes, CA? This guide will help you find the best sites from standard car camping in your tent to RV sites to free camping
Josephine Peak is one of my favorite moderate-level hikes in Angeles National Forest with stunning mountain and valley views at only 8 miles out and back with 1800 ft of elevation gain.
Manitou Springs is a charming little town near Colorado Springs. It’s known for the Manitou Incline, Sunwater Spa, and Garden of the Gods.
Learn more about how to soak in the mineral hot tubs, reservations and parking for the incline, and hiking trails in Garden of the Gods.
New to mountaineering and backcountry snow? Not sure if you need to take an avalanche course? My review of the AIARE 1 course experience will hopefully help provide some insight and determine if an avalanche course is for you
Short hike with a variety of wildflowers in the Spring and beautiful views of Mount Baldy and the ocean from Orange County, CA
Darwin Falls is a short hike in Death Valley National Park to a spring-fed waterfall that runs year-round. Add this to your next trip!
San Gorgonio Mountain has many hiking trails to the summit and a North Face chute for mountaineering. Spring is a great time to climb this chute to the tallest mountain in Southern California if you’re experienced.
Everything you need to know to climb the via ferrata in Ouray Colorado unguided. Add this adventure to your next San Juan Mountain trip.
Hematite Lake is a beautiful green-turquoise alpine lake in San Juan Mountains. It is a short but steep hike, gaining 2,200 ft in 1.7 miles.
SoCal waterfalls typically flow until Spring depending on the rainfall. Here are the best waterfall hikes near LA including current closures.
A permit is required all year to day hike and backpack Mount Whitney. Quota season is from May 1 – Nov 1. Permit lotto applications end Mar 1
Looking for where to hike in San Diego? Annie’s Canyon is an unexpected local gem for a CA beach city. Slot canyons and mushroom caves near San Diego? Let’s go!
Lawson Peak is a short, moderate-level hike near San Diego that’s fun for the whole family. It starts off on a wide dirt road and finishes scrambling on rocks.
If you’ve been to Lake Haiyaha before summer 2022… you need to go back now! The color of the lake is completely different and no one knows how long it will remain the magical turquoise green color.
Red Mountain 3 in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a short hike, doable for all levels. Explore the colorful San Juan Mountains which resemble Rainbow Mountain in Peru.
The classic Four Pass Loop is a beautiful must-hike backpacking trip in Colorado that goes over four 12k ft mountain passes. Combine this with the Maroon Bells Traverse, one of the four Colorado’s great traverses, and climb two 14ers. Start at the East Fork trailhead for an epic 38 miles adventure.
The ultimate guide to your Eastern Sierra roadtrip. Must-stop eats, sights, cheap gas, and free camping along the 395 hwy in California
Mount Evans is one of the two 14ers in Colorado you can drive up to – so why hike it? The hike from Summit Lake offers beautiful views of valleys you don’t see from the summit of Mt. Evans and you get to bag a 13er, Mt. Spalding, along the way
List of California 14ers ranked by difficulty. A fourteener is a mountain with a summit elevation of at least 14,000 ft. There are 15 peaks in California that rise above 14k ft, but only 12 of them are considered true 14ers due to the peak prominence.
Ready to cool down in the California heat this summer? The Eastern Sierra mountains has a ton of alpine lakes, some more easily accessible than others – here are some of my favorite, beautiful turquoise, scenic alpine lakes.
Mount Baldwin 12,624 ft is a moderate class two climb in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It starts at Convict Lake and offers beautiful views of the colorful mountains near Mammoth Lakes.
Trail Canyon Falls is one of my favorite short, easy, family-friendly waterfall hikes in the Los Angeles area. It’s been a dry winter so GO NOW while the waterfall is still flowing. Be aware though, there is a lot of poison ivy along the trail, specifically around the first half closer to the water.
Mount Whitney is the highest peak of the contiguous US sitting at 14,505 ft. The Mountaineers Route makes for a unique experience, different from the standard hiking trail, and Spring is a great time to climb the mountaineers route! Read on for more info and learn more on the gear you need for a better experience.
The San Gabriel Mountains and San Bernardino Mountains are home to many accessible trails, but also some rugged mountain terrains. In the wintertime particularly, SoCal gets hit with a good amount of snow which makes these mountains a different level of playing field compared to Spring, Summer, and Fall.
This short, but steep, day hike near Los Angeles reminds me of island ridge hikes.
The trail includes some short class 3 scrambles but can be bypassed by hiking the dirt trail around most of it.
It’s a good hike if you’re looking for a quick, short, booty-blasting workout with a little spice.
Telescope Peak in Death Valley is a great hike option in the winter if you’re looking for an accessible high-altitude hike (11,046 ft) in California. There is snow on the trail but the elevation gain is moderate. Read more to learn why you should hike Telescope Peak in the winter instead of other seasons.
This past year has been a thrilling ride full of anxiety. On one hand, I’ve never lived more. On the other hand, I’ve never been so stressed living. Every time I headed out into the mountains, I felt like I was losing years of my life with all the stress and anxiety, but also gaining …
Avalanche Gulch is the most popular and easily-accessible trail to reach the summit of Mount Shasta 14,179 ft. Here’s everything you need to know to reach the top of this volcano including permits, gear, and route info. Ready to climb an easy CA 14er?
Split Mountain is one of California’s easier 14er, but it’s a long slog. It can be done as a day hike or an overnight trip – read more about backpacking to Red Lake and Split Mountain 14,058 ft.
The Minaret Lake Loop is one of the most popular and picturesque hikes near Mammoth Lakes. There are many options to day hike or overnight camp in Ansel Adams Wilderness – learn about climbing the Volcanic Ridge (11,506 ft) as well to get an eye-level view of the Minarets!
Cloudripper is the 58th tallest peak in California and the tallest in the Inconsolable Range of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It can be easiest accessed from Big Pine Lakes through a class two scramble at the end of seventh lake. Read on to hike through the glacial lakes and end up at a 13er!
Antelope Canyon is one of USA’s most beautiful slot canyon and paddling to it is the only way to hike it right now. Read on to find out how to experience this popular Navajo Nation slot canyon.
Climbing to the top of LA’s highest mountain, Mount Baldy (10,064 ft) via the Baldy Bowl in the snow can be exciting if you’re experienced with mountaineering. If you don’t own the proper gear (crampons and ice ax), you can still hike the Ski Hut Trail in the winter with microspikes.
Matterhorn Peak is the highest summit of the Sawtooth Range in the CA Sierra Nevada. Climbing the East Couloir as my first winter mountaineering experience was a good choice for a beginner – read on for my experience on my first backcountry snow camping and climbing with a fear of heights.
VISIT: 5 Natural Hot Spring + Emerald Cave Option in the Black Canyon LOCATION: near Las Vegas, on the Colorado River between Hoover Dam and Willow Beach (NV/AZ) TIME: half-full day (7 hrs for me, depending how long you spend at the hot springs) DATE I WENT: 2/23/21 BEST TIME TO VISIT: Winter and early …
Chasing Hot Springs on the Colorado River in the Black Canyon of Nevada & Arizona Read More »
HIKE TO: Mount Lawlor TRAIL: Strawberry Peak Trail > Firebreak MILES: 4.55 miles loop TIME: 2:43 hr DATE I WENT: 2/14/20 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 5928 ft ELEVATION GAIN: 1309 ft PARKING PERMIT: yes, the US National Parks Pass doubles as an Adventure pass in Angeles National Forest LOCATION: Angeles National Forest Mount Lawlor (5928 ft) …
Hike to Mount Lawlor 5928 ft. in Angeles National Forest Read More »
My first-time ice climbing and the struggles with a fear of heights
The hiking trail to Strawberry Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains is different from the challenging class 3 scramble route from Colby Canyon. The Colby Canyon Trail is a mountaineering climb so be comfortable navigating uphill through rocks and boulders
Iron Mountain via Heaton Flats in San Gabriel Mountains is a strenuous hike but great for training! It’s almost 7k ft of elevation gain in just under 7 miles.
Stoddard canyon falls is a short and fun hike to waterfall slide and swimming hole near Los Angeles up by Mount Baldy – perfect hike on a hot day
TRIP DATES: November 13-15, 2020 LOCATION: San Bernardino Mountains, CA (Crestline/ Lake Arrowhead) CAMP: Thousand Pines via Campspot HIKES: Deep Creek Hot Spring, Heart Rock, & Pinnacles National Take a Hike Day: Best Hikes Near Lake Arrowhead There are 60k+ trails in the National Trail System and with the convenience of a cabin near Lake …
3 Easy Hikes in Lake Arrowhead: Plan a Weekend Getaway Read More »
Icehouse Canyon in Angeles National Forest is home to many peaks in the Southern California region including the locally famous Cucamonga Peak and Mount Baldy, but if you are looking for a less-trafficked trail in the same area, Bighorn Peak is a great option for a moderate hike with similar views. HIKE TO: Bighorn Peak …
Hike 16 miles in Mammoth Lake’s beautiful backcountry and see 17 alpine lakes including the secluded Deer Lakes and the popular Duck Lake.
Parker Lake gets overlooked in the Sierra Mountains, but this short and easy hike near June Lake Loop needs to be on your summit hike list.
Tips to help you research and plan your next epic outdoor adventure, whether it’s a camping trip, finding a new backpacking spot, or just a hike. This guide explains how I find new cool spots to visit and you can too!
HIKE TO: White Mountain Peak TRAIL: White Mountain Trail/Road MILES: 14.8 miles out and back TIME: 7:11 hrs (6:16 hrs of moving time) DATE I WENT: 6/27/20 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 14252 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 3485 ft HIKE PERMIT: no PARKING PERMIT: no LOCATION: White Mountains Wilderness Area/ Inyo National Forest White Mountain Peak is …
White Mountain Peak, 14252 ft: California’s 3rd Tallest Peak Read More »
Don’t forget sun protection! Here are the 5 most important items you will need for a day out in the sun, whether it’s in the mountains, at camp, or at the beach.
Hike the less popular Big Pine South Fork trail to the turquoise glacial lake in the Palisades. The trail to Finger Lake is strenuous with a little scrambling.
Day hike to a roaring waterfall deep in Angeles National Forest, within a 1-2 hour drive from Los Angeles. The Burkhart Trail to Cooper Canyon Falls is a short, easy 3-mile roundtrip hike. It is well shaded and fun for the whole family with lots of wildflowers in the Spring and early Summer.
Best leggings for women hiking, climbing and scrambling, and winter hikes. Key features include stretch, breathability, odor resistance, mobility, durability, and pockets!
The Portuguese Bend Reserve took me by surprise – this beautiful coastal hike in the South Bay is a great option this time of year because the rain makes everything green and the wildflowers already started to bloom. The Portuguese Bend Reserve has a system of many interconnected trails with one main fire road (Burma …
HIKE TO: Convict Lake TRAIL: Convict Lake Trail MILES: 2.57 miles TIME: 1.25 hrs DATE I WENT: 2/01/20 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION: 7680 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 98 ft HIKE PERMIT: no PARKING PERMIT: no LOCATION: Eastern Sierra mountains near Mammoth Lakes, CA Convict Lake is a very popular tourist destination in the Summer; the beautiful, …
Convict Lake Trail: Day Hike Easy Loop Near Mammoth Read More »
HIKE TO: South Mount Hawkins TRAIL: Windy Gap Trail > South Mt Hawkins Trail > Hawkins Ridge Trail MILES: 9.33 miles TIME: 3:40 hrs DATE I WENT: 11/10/19 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION: 7760 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 1943 ft HIKE PERMIT: no PARKING PERMIT: yes, adventure pass LOCATION: Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles/ Southern California Day …
Bryce Canyon in the snow is the best time to visit – the contrast of the snow on sandstone is incredible! Read for the top 4 hiking trails & viewpoints to see when visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in the Winter.
HIKE TO: Hidden Pinyon TRAIL: Hidden Pinyon Trail MILES: 1.69 mi TIME: 1 hr DATE I WENT: 12/15/19 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 146 ft HIKE PERMIT: no ENTRANCE FEE/ PARKING: yes PET FRIENDLY: no LOCATION: Snow Canyon State Park, St. George, Utah If you’re short on time but want to get a hike in …
Hidden Pinyon Overlook in Snow Canyon State Park Read More »
Pack list for beginner snow hikers (day hikes only) + basic safety tips If you’re new to snow hiking and not sure where to start… we’ve all been there. The two questions I got the most from snow hikes are: wasn’t it cold & did you have microspikes… so I’ve prepared a winter day hike …
Snow Hiking Basic Safety Guidelines and Must Have Gear Read More »
2019 has been a year filled with lots of new adventures along with some old favorite trails. I’ve put together a list of my top 9 hikes from 2019 according to the Top 9 posts you guys liked the most this past year. Blanca Lake, Washington Henry M Jackson Wilderness Area in the Cascade MountainsThe …
HIKE TO: Smith Saddle (the saddle before Smith Mountain) TRAIL: Upper Bear Creek Trail MILES: 5.98 mi TIME: 4:05 hr total time, 3:18 hr moving time DATE I WENT: 11/30/19 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION: 4291 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 982 ft HIKE PERMIT: no LOCATION: San Gabriel Mountains in Angeles National Forest, California This past Thanksgiving …
Tips to Roadtrip on a Budget How do you afford your lifestyle? Where do you get the money for your trips? Do you come from money or have a sugar daddy? How do you get sponsored for your trips? As you can imagine, these are the questions I get all the time and the answer …
Here’s a collection of spots I have visited up and down the 395 hwy in the last month. The Fall foliage is in the Eastern Sierra mountains is still around but disappearing quickly so check it out soon before the colors are all gone! McGee Creek – Mammoth Lakes, CA Date visited: Oct 18-19, 2019Fall …
Where to See Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra Mountains Read More »
HIKE TO: Big Basin Redwoods, Waddell Beach, Santa Cruz TRAIL: Skyline to the Sea Trail MILES: 32.1 mi TIME: 3 days/ 2 nights DATE I WENT: 10/31/18 – 11/2/18 DIFFICULTY: easy ELEVATION: 3074 ft (at Castle Rock State Park trailhead) HIKE PERMIT: yes LOCATION: 2 California State Parks = Castle Rock State Park & Big …
Skyline to the Sea Trail in Castle Rock and Big Basin Redwoods State Park Read More »
Hike to Island Lake and Ice Lake in colorful Colorado’s San Juan National Forest. The Ice Lake Trail can be done as a day hike or an overnight backpacking trip.
July 15-20, 2019Author: Tiffany Lin | Photographer: Mina Lee + Tiffany’s iPhoneLocation: Lake TahoeBoat Model: Rogue LiteActivity: Packrafting If you know me, you’ll know I’m not much of a water person. I’m actually scared of the big, open water and can’t tolerate being in cold water very well. Two years ago, I went to a …
Intro to Packrafting: Why You Need a Packraft to Explore More on Your Backpacking Trips Read More »
I have three go-to pair of shoes for the trails: Adidas Terrex Fast Surround hiking boots for lightweight hiking and backpacking, Adidas Terrex Parley hiking shoes for water trails, and Lowa Renegades for a heftier hiking boot option. Read on for my review of each shoe to find which one best suits your needs and …
HIKE TO: Heather Lake, Aster Lake, Emerald Lake and Pear Lake TRAIL: The Lakes Trail MILES: 12.4 miles (15.4 miles according to my tracker) TIME: 1 night (3:30 hr in, 3:45 hr out) DATE I WENT: 10/13/18 – 10/14/18 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 9629 ft ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 2625/423 ft HIKE PERMIT: yes for overnight camping PARKING …
This blog post combines two separate half-day trips, but if you start in the morning, you can pack all this into one full day or a leisurely weekend trip! I pass Valley of Fire State Park, an hour north of Las Vegas, in Nevada on EVERY Southwest road trip from SoCal and always told myself …
One Weekend in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada Read More »
Duck Pass Trail is a moderate and popular hike in Mammoth Lakes of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It can be done as a day hike or an overnight high to visit Barney Lake, Duck Lake, Pika Lake, and other alpine lakes.
HIKE TO: Kearsarge Pass TRAILHEAD: Kearsarge Pass Trail MILES: 9.3 miles out and back TIME: 1 night (commonly done as a day hike) DATE I WENT: 8/17/18 – 8/18/18 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 11,760 ft ELEVATION GAIN: 2,595 ft PERMIT: no for day hikes, yes for overnight camping LOCATION: Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra Last August …
Mount Whitney 14,505 ft — It’s the tallest mountain in the contiguous US and I’ve been fortunate to summit it 5 times now as both day hikes and an overnight backpacking trip. I have been asked which one is better… so let me break it down for you. 2023 Permits: click to apply for the …
Is it Better to Day Hike or Backpack for Mt. Whitney? Read More »
6 family-friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park, 1 high-altitude hike, and a free camping site nearby.
After 14 months of applying, I finally got lucky and won a permit to visit The Wave. To give you a quick background, “the wave” is officially known as North Coyote Buttes and is part of Paria Canyon/ Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. It’s one of the most coveted permits and hardest to get because they only …
The Wave, North Coyote Buttes: Permit & Hike Info Read More »
Patagonia is a must-visit for all outdoor enthusiasts. It is located in South America across two countries: Chile and Argentina. The famous Torres Del Paine and the W Trek are located in Chile, while Fitz Roy, El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier are located in Argentina. I spent about 2 weeks exploring Patagonia which is …
Ultimate Patagonia Trip Guide to Exploring Chile & Argentina Read More »
Learn how ultralight backpacking can help you become a faster hiker and enjoy your time in the mountains. Get tips on how to drop your overnight backpack weight and my current and top gear recommendations.
Ultimate Guide for Getting Permits and Trip Planning for Beginners Hike to: Mooney Falls / Beaver Falls / Havasupai Trail: Havasu Falls Trail Miles: 20 miles out & back (parking lot to Supai: 8 mi | Supai to Mooney Falls: 2mi) Time: 1 overnighter (started 7 am first day, finished 2:30 pm second day). Please note …
Hike the popular Big Pine Lakes trail to see 3 glacial turquoise lakes in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. I call this the Patagonia of California.
HIKE TO: Inspiration Point, Muir Peak, Echo Mountain Ruins, Mount Lowe Railway TRAILHEAD: Cobb Estate on Lake Ave TRAIL: Sam Merrill Trail > Castle Canyon Trail > Muir Peak Rd & Muir Peak Trail MILES: 12 miles TIME: 5 hrs DATE I WENT: 3/8/15 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 4,593 ft ELEVATION GAIN: 3,225 ft HIKE PERMIT: …
Echo Mountain Hike to Inspiration Point and Muir Peak Read More »
Potato Chip Hike in Poway is an iconic hike near San Diego. It’s an 8 mile hike with 2,000 ft of elevation gain.
Sandstone Peak is the highest peak in Santa Monica Mountains. Hike the Mishe Mokwa loop trail to Tri Peaks and Inspiration Point.
The Bridge to Nowhere hike in Azusa, CA is a 10 mile hike full of adventure. It’s relatively flat with multiple creek crossings to keep it fun and cool off. There are also bighorn sheep sightings out here in Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is home to LA’s famous Culver City Stairs. This steep hike is a great workout and sunset hike in the city.
The Wisdom Tree hike in Hollywood is a short but steep trail that leads to a unique tree and 360-degree views of Los Angeles.