This one-night backpacking trip is perfect for beginner backpackers and experienced ones alike! Easy incline, great views, and short mileage makes this trip easily accessible for those who are looking for a night under the stars. Grass Lake Trail Key Information Trailhead: Glen Alpine Hike End: Glen Alpine Hike Type: Out & Back Length: 4.6...
There are few places that have the accessibility and magnitude of Yosemite Valley. The Glacier Point to Panorama Point day hike combines incredible views, a decent amount of milage, and a great resting spot into one fantastic day out. Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase something using an affiliate link, I will receive a small commission...
Sitting nearly 9000 feet above the sea level, Half Dome is an iconic hike in Yosemite National Park. With over 5000 ft of elevation gain over about 8 miles, this hike is demanding but rewarding. This bucket list hike requires a little bit of forethought and organization but is certainly worth doing—here’s my guide to doing the Half Dome Hike in a day! Half Dome...
Castle Crags State Park is a beautiful, highly underrated state park in California. With picture-perfect views of granite towers, endless hiking and climbing, and close proximity to Mount Shasta and beyond, Castle Crags is certainly worth a few days. If you have two days to spend in the area, this guide is for you! Here’s my 2 day Castle Crags Itinerary. When...
The Castle Dome Trail is one of Castle Crags State Park’s best hikes. This trail is short but intense, with plenty of elevation gain rewarded with incredible views of the Castle Crags and Mount Shasta in the distance. If there’s only one hike you do in this state park, make it this one! Castle Dome Trail in a nutshell Views ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5...
The Castle Lake to Heart Lake hike is short but sweet—it’s only a few miles long but the views are unmatched! Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Heart Lake Hike near Mount Shasta. Heart Lake Hike in a nutshell Views ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. Technical Difficulty ⭐⭐ Rating: 2 out of 5. Overall Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Heart Lake...
If you’re looking for itineraries for 3 days backpacking in Hetch Hetchy, look no further! This loop brings you to stunning campsites and viewpoints, and is such a lovely way to experience Yosemite National Park. Here’s the ultimate guide to backpacking the Hetch Hetchy Loop in 3 days. I’ll share what I wish I packed, what information you need to...
Muir Woods National Monument is an incredible day trip from San Francisco. This young redwood forest was untouched by logging in the early 1900s, so the trees are tall, abundant, and quite frankly, magical! If you don’t have access to a car in San Francisco but still want to visit Muir Woods, this guide is for you. Here’s the easiest and cheapest way to...
Pinnacles National Park is such an underrated place to visit. Located just 2 and a half hours away from San Francisco, Pinnacles is an incredible weekend escape from the Bay Area. With rounded spires, vast rolling hills, surrealist rock towers, and talus caves to explore, you’ll never be bored at this national park. Ready to explore? Here’s my ultimate 1...
This hike in Pinnacles National Park takes you through the best parts of three iconic hikes, merging them all into the best day hike in Pinnacles! You get to climb up small steps carved into the rocks, through both beautiful and eerie talus caves, and to viewpoints of the vast valley beneath you. Ready to get hiking? Here’s what you need to know. The best...