Escaping the JMT Crowds: A Local’s Guide to Sierra Solitude

Southern_end_of_John_Muir_Trail

The John Muir Trail (JMT) and John Muir Wilderness is a rite of passage for many backpackers across California. It’s a beast of a trail, no doubt, but it’s also a magnet for crowds even with trail quotas and lotteries. Destinations like Mt Whitney and the High Sierra Trail and Kearsarge Pass are iconic adventure … Read more

10 Incredible Trail Experiences We’d Like to Do Again

a sign on the trail to a lake in the mountains

Some trails leave us yearning for more, wishing we had taken just a few more steps or spent a little more time soaking in the views. Our list of incredible trail experiences we’d like to revisit includes some of our most memorable hikes, each one deserving of a second (or third) look. Whether it’s taking … Read more

Camp Like a Pro in California’s Eastern Sierra

Camping gear i

Follow Award-Winning Campaign for Camping Safety and Stewardship Tips and Tricks As summer continues into the fall, it’s the perfect time to plan a camping trip in the breathtaking Eastern Sierra. Mono County, in collaboration with the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Partnership (ESSRP) and Mammoth Lakes Tourism (MLT), has launched the “Camp Like a Pro” … Read more

Backpacking Silliman Pass: A 5-Day Sequoia & Kings Canyon Adventure

Grizzly Falls

As a seasoned backpacker, I find myself drawn to the vast Wilderness of California’s Sierra Nevada each summer. This past June, I embarked on a five-day adventure through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, a journey that left me awestruck by the sheer scale of nature’s beauty and the resilience of the human spirit. While … Read more

Learning to Stand on Tenaya Lake: A Beginner’s Dream Realized

male paddleboarding on Tenaya Lake

The continuing saga of learning to Paddleboard in the Sierra. Yosemite National Park holds a special place in my heart. Over the past decade, I’ve become a regular visitor, making the trip 4-6 times a year. Tenaya Lake, centrally located between May Lake and Cathedral Peak at the foot of the Cathedral Range, is always … Read more

From Yosemite Campfires to Cult-Classic Shirts: The Royal Robbins Story

Royal Robbins Climbing El Cap

Celebrating Milestones: The 25th Anniversary of the Desert Pucker Camp Shirt Imagine Yosemite Valley in the 1960s. Camp 4 is buzzing with a vibrant community of climbers. Among them are two young and brilliant climbing maven, Royal Robbins, already a legendary climber pushing the boundaries of the sport, and Liz Burkner, a newcomer with wanderlust … Read more

Lighter, Faster, Tastier: My 2024 Backpacking Gear Refresh

Sierra Nevada

For me, the backpacking season of 2024 started in June. June Backpacking is about wildflowers, seasonal rivers/waterfalls, new gear choices and mosquitos. So we packed our bags and headed out to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to get our feet wet, legs burning, and test our new gear choices for 2024 in the Sierra. … Read more

Backpacking Yosemite’s Vogelsang Peak Region

yosemite national park, yosemite national park, yosemite national park, y

As a seasoned backpacker with over 10 years exploring Yosemite’s trails, I’ve always craved adventure. But my 2020 trip to Vogelsang Pass via Rafferty Creek was unlike any other. It wasn’t just about the destination; it was the journey filled with unexpected solitude and breathtaking scenery. In February 2020 when I booked this trip to … Read more

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