Mount Saint Helena, CA- Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

Mount St. Helena is the highest point in Sonoma County, CA. From Napa, follow past Calistoga on highway 29 up a section of road that has many curves, pay attention for a sign about 8 miles up the road and you will see a small parking lot, no fees. This is a relatively easy out and back hike. No points to fill up on water, so pack it in. The first section is a covered trail the includes switch backs. For the majority of the trip, you will be on a gravel road (a little disappointing) only traveled on by hang gliders (two vans passed us on the road with their equipment on top) and maintenance crew. Since it is relatively easy, on nice days, expect a lot of people. Since there is little cover for most of the hike, better to do on cooler days in the Fall or Spring. The views make the hike worth it. There are some nice rock climbing walls along the way as well. Once you get to the top, there are nice places to sit with almost a 360 view of the entire region. It is also fun watching the hang gliders use the up draft to fly around above you. You share the top of the mountain with a huge antenna tower (not very pretty). This is a longer hike and gives you great perspective of the surrounding geography. Probably not a hike I would do again. March, 2013. 10 miles.

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve- Blue Ridge Loop Trail

This hike is an easy drive from Sacramento/Davis CA. In fact, it is a beautiful drive just to get to this location. Take Highway 128 and if you get to a damn, you went about a 1/4 mile too far. Above is the parking lot which is usually pretty empty, but on good days, it can get pretty full. You will most likely run into people on this trail that includes everything from climbing up rocks, stairs, and switchbacks. Great views from the top of Lake Berryessa. The first part of the hike is mostly covered, but be careful hiking in the summer here as you can get pretty hot and exposed for 2/3 of the hike. Good easy day hike. The signs indicate that this is a 5 mile hike. March 2013

Mt. Rainier- Paradise (snowshoeing)

Starting at the lodge next to the main parking lot, travel just to the right of the small snow park which will lead you up the mountain. Depending on your ability level you might want to wait for others to make the first tracks as this will make it easier to find your way and less tiring. We did not wait and trail blazed until we found a nice place to set up shop. We tried out a new shovel, dug a man hole, and pretended we were in a survival situation. The cave/hole was surprisingly warm and quiet. We had lunch here out of the snow and wind. Actually pretty easy to make with a shovel. Very important when avalanche is a possibility. This was an easy location to find, not completely isolated, but the further you go, the fewer people you will run into. Don't forget to bring your pass or cash for entry into the park. Also, they often require 4 wheel drive and chains in your car in the winter. If you forget chains, there is a nice lodge you can pick some up before you enter. December 2012.

Fourth of July Lake via Carson Pass Trailhead, CA

Frog Lake

Lake Winnemucca

View from Fourth of July Lake

Swimming Fourth of July Lake

We originally wanted to hike in and camp at a lake closer to the trail head, but you 'need' an over night pass for this area with only a limited amount of spots per site/lake. As a  result, we ended up going a little further to Fourth of July Lake. The total hike was about 10 miles (5 miles each way). Most of the terrain is easy with a nice wide path for the first 2.5 miles with limited elevation incline/decline. After Winnemucca Lake, you have a 1000ft. incline for the next 1.5 miles. The final section is the most difficult, mainly because you are tired by this point and the 9000ft-ish elevation doesn't really help the lungs. Fortunately, the last mile is downhill to the lake (don't let the lake fool you, expect a little extra time with never ending long switchbacks). Very secluded, limited day hikers and only about 8 camping spots per lake. The water was warm enough to swim in, good fresh water sources, and 'no' bears or cougars spotted. They do not allow campfires (boo), but do allow dogs (yay!). This is about 20 miles past Kirkwood just off the road. Bring $5 per night for parking. We went during a meteor shower... amazing! Clear skies and high elevation created for some great entertainment. Our own natural fireworks show at Fourth of July Lake! Aug. 2012.

Lost Coast- Shelter Cove, CA

 We headed to the Lost Coast area of Northern California. Apparently, the hills in the area were too difficult to construct Highway 1 through so they just skipped an entire section leaving a a huge area of untouched land along the Pacific Coast. We went in March. This was definitely the wrong time to visit if you don't like rain. It basically rained the entire time which made fire starting rather difficult. We parked at a free parking site on the water just above the trail head on the north side of town. The hike can be as long as you would like as you can hike North up to the next town about 10-12 miles away. Don't be fooled, hiking on a beach is very different exhausting your body much quicker. You also have to cross small streams throughout your hike. Be ready to take your shoes off. Time your crossing right because you could be hit by an incoming wave. If you do plan to hike through, make sure you know the tides. A section in the middle of the hike is not crossable during high tide. People have been swept out to sea and even died on this part of the hike. About two miles in, you will find a nice little camp site where logs are piled up for shelter from the wind. Since we didn't come prepared for the tides, we decided to stop here for the night. Even in the summer, you can get rained on so come prepared and come with a lot of rain gear and fire starting material if you plan to camp.

Bryce Canyon- Figure 8 including Peekaboo and Navajo Trails- Utah

Bryce Canyon is around 8000 ft. so be prepared to be out of breath. The figure 8 loop combines multiple mini hikes into one longer 8.5ish hike. You can do the views and picture taking from a drive that allows you to see down into the canyon from many different perspectives. There are a bunch of hikes you can put together into a figure eight pattern down in the canyon that will let you see much of the cool hoodoo’s, red dirt, and more red dirt. The path is well marked and wide. Watch out for the horse crap that covers half the trail. Someone needs to invent a pooper scooper for horses because it was everywhere. Very unique environment, beautiful colors (make sure to stay and watch the sunset with golden colors bouncing of the distant rocks). There are many opportunities to cut your hike short or just keep going for more hoodoo’s, views, and red dirt. Like Zion, more people speaking foreign languages around you, but not as packed as some hikes. Definitely worth it if you around this area. We stayed in a nearby campsite that was literally 10-20 yards from the edge of the canyon. Showers and food within walking distance.