🏕️Backpacking

Echo Lake, CA

Diamond Lake, CA

Heart Lake, CA

What lake do you like with that infinity pool effect?

The Hoover Wilderness is so special! Especially this time of year wit the aspens starting to turn!

Tent and campfire

Rocks

Small lake

Chewing Gum Lake

Emigrant Wilderness - Chewing Gum Lake and the surrounding tarns are a popular wilderness retreat.

#stanislausnationalforest #emigrantwilderness #backpacking

Square Lake is a common overnight spot - Check out the Bigfoot Trail - a long distance trail that starts in the Yolla Bollys!

Hammock camp by River

South Fork Yuba River

South Fork Yuba River

What rivers do you like backpacking along? The South Yuba Trail in Northern California has lots of places to cool off - and a few nice camping areas. Watch for the poison oak!

May I be so lucky to keep enjoying the backcountry at 74! Probably easier to get lightweight gear now than 30 or so years ago.

Tent and pack more than 100 feet from a lake.

The sun hurts my eyes coming over a hill.

Marble Rim

Sky High Lakes

What's your pack/tent/bag/pad setup this year for backpacking?

No changes from last year for me - but eventually I'm wanting a slightly warmer sleeping bag & a pad with slightly better R-value.

⛺=3F UL Gear Lanshan 2
🎒= Gregory 60L
🛏️= Old Sierra Designs 25 degree down mummy w/ Klymit Static V2

That’s why we have our garden going in full swing. It even includes two paw paw trees now!

On the banks of the Sacramento River surrounded by flowers (and some water I suppose).

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir camping at Mariposa Grove Yosemite National Park

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir at Glacier Point Yosemite National Park

It’s Presidents’ Day! Which Prez from the past would you trek into backcountry with? Teddy is an obvious choice. Washington would be a good camping buddy too - and he had a lot of experience in tents.

#president #yosemite #camping

Gear test? :D

The Coast Redwoods are amazing. Hoping to try out packrafting Redwood Creek this spring/early summer. :D

I feel cursed with the Yolla Bolly Wilderness - every time I go in there’s a big fire shortly afterward!

Especially with that lighting!

A tree near in Snow Mountain Wilderness, CA.

Trees at Grizzly Lake, CA - Trinity Alps Wilderness

Russian Lake in Russian Wilderness, CA

Overlooking the Yolla Bolly Wilderness, CA. I think these are Foxtail Pines?

What trees do you love to see on your treks? 🌲

Out west (USA) my favorites include the foxtail pines, big gnarly high desert juniper trees, and super wide incense cedars. Out east I love a good sassafras tree (smell like fruit loops!).

#treehugger #backpacking

Oh for sure! Never wanted to leave every time except for one trip. I had bronchitis during an exceptionally cold November and was camped at the climbers camp. So beautiful but had to respect the elements!

One of several pools at Iva Belle

Top pool at Iva Belle

Fish Creek Trail

What's a backpacking trek that you've been on where you wish you stayed an extra night or three?

Sometimes I'm ready to head back to my comfy bed, but often times there's a side trip, a peak, a lake, a forest, a hot spring that says staaayyyy. :)

Bidwell Park after the Park Fire

New growth after a wildfire.

Shout out to the trail workers - especially after disaster strikes.

Who’s working on your favorite trails? Ever join in? 👷‍♀️🥾⛺️

😂

P.S. Super bummed about the wildfires in Southern CA. I've seen so many in and near my town and it's life altering. Best wishes to everyone impacted - I hope recovery starts quickly.

Hammock camping in Cache Creek Wilderness, CA

Hammock Camping in Desolation Wilderness, CA

Where are all the hammock campers? 🌲🛌🌲

I'm doing...better...at keeping my bottom side warmer. Still sticking with insulated underneath me but someday I'll get an underquilt...maybe. :) Still haven't needed a tarp yet.

Where's your next hammock trip?

Half Dome!

Half Dome in an Arch

Half Dome at Sunset

Half Dome at night

The many colors of Half-Dome while camping near North Dome. Go now and it'll be white too! What's a neat landmark that changes colors throughout your trek?

#yosemite #halfdome #backpacking #california

Yeah Lassen backcountry is pretty tough right now - great in the front range and around the Peak itself.

I’ve been wanting to do a Virginia Lakes / Green Lake loop in the fall for some time!

It is a great story! I feel like I’m going back in time when hiking around in there.

Winter and early spring are best. Emerald green (and lower grass height for x-country) in the winter and wildflowers in March / April. Then on May 1, at the strike of midnight, boom everything is brown!

Devil's Den in Ishi Wilderness

Hiking along Deer Creek

Camping near Deer Creek

Rock formations in the Deer Creek drainage - Ishi

What is the wilderness that you're looking most forward to entering in 2025? For me it's my third trek into the Ishi (Lassen NF). Legendary story plus the impact of the Park Fire. Large swaths of this wilderness will be emerald green in early 2025 - perfect for cross-country trekkers.

Just a hypothetical for me. I hiked in 2016 and 2022. That said, I imagine there were a few folks out there today.

Did the hike! Now I want golden feathers when I hike real peaks.

Camping Over Seal Rocks - Lost Coast

Randall Creek Camp - Lost Cost

Big Flat - Lost Coast

Lost Coast Bear Prints

You're camping on California's Lost Coast Trail. The ground shakes (like it did with today's earthquake). What do you do in your first 30 seconds? Wondered that briefly when relaxing that the beautiful but exposed beaches.

Me? Water Filter and warmth are first priorities.
#mendocinotriplejunction

Love the Whites! Also love that weather station up there on Mt. Washington. Almost got an internship there one winter!