Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
DATE: May 13 START: Big Bear/Van Dusen Canyon FINISH: Deep Creek Ford DISTANCE: 39 miles TOTAL DISTANCE: 313 miles Highlight of the day was Deep Creek Hot Springs, beautifully set thermal pools which attract an eclectic crowd of local families, Read More …
DATE: May 12 START: Mission Creek FINISH: Big Bear/Van Dusen Canyon DISTANCE: 42 miles (67.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 274 miles (440.9 km) Steady 3,500 ft climb out of Mission Creek. Felt strong. Ran into Beardo, a former AT hiker who Read More …
DATE: May 11 START: Fuller Ridge FINISH: Mission Creek DISTANCE: 39.5 miles (63.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 232 miles (373.3 km) Began the day with a switch-backing thirteen mile hike down from Fuller Ridge. Stunning early morning views over the desert Read More …
DATE: May 10 START: Hwy 74 FINISH: Fuller Ridge (mile 192.5) DISTANCE: 40 miles (64.4 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 192.5 miles (309.7 km) Fantastic day. Covered good ground despite a challenging climb and occasionally rugged and snow covered terrain. Non-stop panoramic Read More …
DATE: May 9 START: Mile 117.5 FINISH: Just north of Hwy 74 DISTANCE: 35 miles (56.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 152.5 miles (245.4 km) A long, shadeless, arid stretch in 30 degree celsius weather. For people not accustomed to hiking in Read More …
DATE: May 8 START: Scissors Crossing FINISH: Mile 117.5 DISTANCE: 40.5 miles (65.2 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 117.5 miles (189.2 km) Began with an easy climb out of Scissors Crossing, followed by a long series of gorgeous vistas, as the trail Read More …
DATE: May 7, 2012 START: Long Canyon Creek FINISH: Scissors Crossing DISTANCE: 39 miles (63 kn) TOTAL DISTANCE: 77 miles (124 km) Feeling stronger after a good nights sleep. Saw five other thru hikers, thus making ten since yesterday. Ran Read More …
DATE: May 6, 2012 START: Campo FINISH: Long Canyon Creek ford DISTANCE: 38 miles (61 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 38 miles (61km) And away we go… Fantastic to be back on the PCT after five years. Even better to catch up Read More …
Before heading off on the final three legs of my journey, I would be remiss if I didn’t extend a huge thanks to my good friends, Mike and Genna. It is through their kindness that I have a “home base” Read More …
Distance: 180 miles (290 km) Start: Gila Hot Springs, NM Finish: Magdalena, NM Time: 6 days (April 19 to 24, 2012) Daily Average: 30 miles (48.3 km) Total Distance: 1,624 miles (2,613 km) Highlights: Lightfeather Hot Springs: Beautiful riverside pools just Read More …
Distance: 167 miles (268.8 km) Start: Safford, AZ Finish: Gila Hot Springs, NM Time: 6 days (April 13 to 18, 2012) Daily Average: 27.8 miles (44.7 km) Total Distance: 1,444 miles (2,323.4 km) Highlights: “Tunnel”/Eagle Creek Hot Springs: Located about Read More …
Distance: 161 miles (259.1 km) Start: Superior, AZ Finish: Safford, AZ Time: 6 days (April 7 to 12, 2012) Daily Average: 26.8 miles (43.1 km) Total Distance: 1277 miles (2054.7 km) Highlights: Aravaipa Canyon: An oasis of willows and alders, Read More …
Distance: 165 miles (265.5 km) Start: Pine, AZ Finish: Superior, AZ Time: 6 days (April 1 to 6, 2012) Daily Average: 27.5 miles (44.2 km) Total Distance: 1116 miles (1795.6 km) Highlights: Mazatzal Mountains: Despite some burnt out stretches, I loved Read More …
Distance: 258 miles (415.1 km) Start: South Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ Finish: Pine, AZ Time: 10 days (March 22-31, 2012) Daily Average: 25.8 miles (41.5 km) Total Distance: 951 miles (1530.2 km) Highlights: South Rim: Couldn’t resist putting in a few Read More …
Distance: 102 miles (164.2 km) Start: Highway 89A, AZ Finish: South Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ Time: 4 days (March 18-21, 2012) Daily Average: 25.5 miles (41 km) Total Distance: 693 miles (1,115 km) Highlights: Nankoweap Trail: Wow. Entering the Read More …
Distance: 107 miles (172.2 km) Start: Tropic, UT Finish: Jacob’s Lake, AZ Time: 4 days (March 14-17, 2012) Daily Average: 26.8 miles (43 km) Total Distance: 591 miles (950.1 km) Highlights: Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre: Road accessible and very often crowded, Read More …
Distance: 98 miles (157.7 km) Start: Escalante, UT Finish: Tropic, UT Time: 5 days (Mar.9-13, 2012……..including a rest day in Escalante) Daily Average: 19.6 miles (31.5 km) Total Distance: 484 miles (778.8 km) Highlights: Round Valley Narrows: An incredible 1.5 mile Read More …
Distance: 188 miles (303 km) approx. Start: Hite Marina, UT Finish: Escalante, UT Time: 7 days ( March 2-8, 2012) Daily Average: 26.9 miles (43.2 km) Total Distance: 386 miles (621.1 km) Highlights: Silver Falls Canyon: We hiked a good Read More …
Distance: 198 miles (318.6 km) Start: Tower Arch, Arches National Park, UT Finish: Hite Marina, UT Time: 7 days (2/24/2012 to 3/1/2012) Daily Average: 28.3 miles (45.5 km) Highlights: Arches National Park: The Hayduke Trail bypasses most of the natural Read More …
Distance: 223 miles (359 km) Time: 7.5 days (1/28/2012 – 2/4/2012) Daily Average: 29.7 miles (47.8 km) Start: Pinnacle Mtn. State Park Finish: Talimena State Park Highlights: Pinnacle mountain Summit: Funnily enough this spot isn’t even on the official OT, but Read More …