This Beyond L.A. post features a peak that might be vaguely familiar to some hikers – Mt. Whitney. There’s no shortage of information available online about the tallest summit in the U.S. outside Alaska. That being said, there are some things that can only be learned from doing or experiencing them. My trip to Whitney…
All photos by the author. Not included in the Experience Gear light backpacking kit: crampons; mattress pad in yellow sack and gloves I am a day hiker. When I backpack, it is not something on which I tend to geek out but rather a means to an end, the most recent end being not having…
Read more Review: Experience Gear camping and backpacking kit rentals
The Opt Outside movement was created to encourage alternate ways of spending Black Friday – a day that is often spent battling crowds at shopping malls. For the past few years, NHLA has organized food drive hikes on Black Friday, creating opportunities to hike, meet other hikers and give something back to the community. We…
Read more Will Hike for Food/Opt Outside 2018: Deukmejian Wilderness Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws an average of over 11 million visitors per year – as much as any other two National Parks put together. The 800-plus square mile park straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, giving hikers a chance to do something that is not common in California (except perhaps the Tahoe area): hiking…
Read more Beyond L.A. Two waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
All photos by the author Never did we expect to be plucked by a helicopter from a ridge in the San Gabriel Mountains as our energy, water, and options were running short. But the experience – one we hope never to repeat – gave us new knowledge about the rescue forces at work in the…
Read more Rescue on Brown Mountain: Guest post by Dianne Bennett
Mt. Mitchell is the highest point in the continental United States east of the Mississippi River. The 6,684 summit is named for local professor Elisha Mitchell, who fell to his death while attempting to confirm a prior measurement of the peak’s height. The summit is located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina,…
Camping is a wonderful way to spend a vacation, especially if you love the beauty of the outdoors. Within a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles, you can camp on beaches, in the desert, in the mountains or wooded canyons. For many people, camping means tents. There is a reason why campgrounds on maps or…
Photo: Rositsa Jeliazkova Successful hiking means different things to different people. Experienced hikers might always be striving to finish a trail in less time while more casual hikers may just want to enjoy getting into nature. However, no matter what your hiking goals are, you don’t want to have to worry about getting lost. Owning…
In addition to its opulent hotels and popular beaches, the south shore of Kauai is home to Makauwahi, Hawaii’s largest limestone cave. The hike to reach the cave provides excellent ocean views and up-close looks at the area’s marine geology. If you are visiting Kauai and don’t have time to venture into the island’s remote…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Shipwreck Beach to Makauwahi Cave (Kauai, Hawaii)
Photo credit: trails.com Sacramento might not be known as a hiking city, but you may be surprised at how many great hiking trails are nearby. Here are four of my favorites. The Quarry Trail The Quarry Trail in Auburn, CA is a half-hour ride from Sacramento. From my experiences, this is a fairly tame hiking…
Photo: Hanka Lehmannova Here’s something about me: I love hiking in Yosemite during summer. Here’s another thing about me: I love hiking in Yosemite during summer even more when I don’t have to worry about having my pack stolen. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not paranoid and I don’t hate crowds. It’s just that when…
Read more Guest post: Anti-Theft Backpacks by Ryan Alston of OutdoorCrunch
Photo: Dominic Morel There are many reasons why hikers fall in love with hiking. But whatever it is that compels them to hike, two things are perfectly clear: They enjoy hiking and derive many benefits from it. Below we look at the intrinsic reasons why people love hiking? To Be One with Nature Hiking is…
Read more The intrinsic reasons why people love to hike by Harvey Barker
Southeast of Yosemite National Park lies the tiny town of Mammoth Lakes, population 8,000. Many Californians are familiar with Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, California’s snow sports playground. You most likely know friends who have visited for its famed natural beauty. Among the pristine lakes and snow capped mountain views, Mammoth Lakes is the perfect setting…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Natural Hot Springs of Mammoth Lakes (Guest post by Keilah Keiser)
It’s no secret that the iconic landscape of Zion National Park draws visitors from all over the world. However, some might be surprised to learn just how popular it has become: in 2017, Zion was the third most heavily visited national park in the country, beating out both Yosemite and Yellowstone with an impressive total…
For those who are about to take a walk in the mountains there are several aspects to consider in order to help avoid running into bad surprises: – Physical training – Analysis of the route – Check weather forecasts before departure Physical training is fundamental. In mountain ascents, descents and bumps, the back…
Here’s a hike that offers the outstanding scenery of Bryce Canyon National Park in a free, less crowded and dog friendly package. This five mile loop in the Dixie National Forest is a perfect introduction to the area’s famous landscapes, notably the “hoodoo” formations – the bizarre rock towers characteristic of the desert. Other highlights…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Buckhorn/Golden Wall Loop (Dixie National Forest, Utah)
Have you wanted to explore the outdoors but are unsure about where to start? Are you thinking about doing a backpacking trip but feel intimidated by doom and gloom news stories about lost hikers? Here are 10 tips to make your hike safe, enjoyable and memorable. HIKE IN A GROUP Besides being safer, group hikes…
Read more Guest post: 10 Essential Hiking Tips by Florian Ruhstaller of California Hikes
Kauai, Hawaii’s northernmost island, is known for Manawaiopuna Falls (“Jurassic Park”), Waimea Canyon, the famous (and dangerous) Kalalau Trail and many other spectacular natural attractions. However, for those who want just a taste of adventure, there are also some great hikes to be found right on the outskirts of town. With a population of just…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Three hikes near Kapa’a (Kauai, Hawaii)
Photo credit: Ariel da Silva Parreira Most of us think of virtual reality primarily as an in-home gaming system. Though it has numerous other applications (and seemingly more by the day), VR was billed as a way for us to dive into the sorts of gaming experiences we already enjoyed on our phones and gaming…
Located about an hour northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park is noted for its outlandish rock formations. The famous and recognizable “Fire Wave” is one of two hikes profiled in this post; the other is the short but adventurous White Domes Trail, visiting a remote canyon that has been a favorite…
Read more Beyond L.A.: Fire Wave and White Domes Trails (Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada)
