The Crystal Crag trail in Mammoth is one of the best compromises between breathtaking scenery and ease of access that you’ll find in California.
Posts Tagged With: Nature
Hiking Mammoth’s Crystal Lake
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Hiking, Kids, Landscape Photography, Mammoth Lakes, Nature, Outdoors, Sierra Nevada
12 Comments
Hiking the High Desert Loop
This 23 mile hike connects three different trails together into an epic loop that showcases the variety of ecosystems the San Gabriel Mountains have to offer.
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Categories: Trip Report
Tags: Dogs, Hiking, Landscape Photography, Los Angeles, Nature, San Gabriel Mountains
16 Comments
Fall at Finger Lake: Backpacking the Big Pine South Fork Trail
Epic mountain views? Check. A pristine emerald lake? Check. The biggest glaciers in the Sierra? Check. All of the crowds that you think would accompany such a magical spot? Not so much. Finger Lake is the type of hidden gem that showcases the breadth of amazing locations that California has to offer for those willing to explore off the beaten path.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: Backpacking, Beauty, California, Dogs, Hiking, Nature, Sierra Nevada, Wilderness
30 Comments
Hiking South Lake to Treasure Lakes
We concluded our family weekend in the Sierra with a day hike to the Treasure Lakes near Bishop. This is another short trail that gives hikers a great taste of the High Sierra without too much effort.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Dogs, Hiking, Inyo National Forest, Landscape Photography, Nature, Sierra Nevada
7 Comments
Day hiking Little Lakes Valley
We returned to the mountains this past weekend for another taste of early summer in the High Sierra. This time, the whole family tagged along and we did some more family friendly dayhikes out of Owen’s Valley. Our first hike was in Little Lakes Valley, which is one of the easiest access points to the High Sierra and also one of the range’s flattest trails. It’s the perfect trail for someone’s first trip to the Sierra.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Dogs, Hiking, Inyo National Forest. John Muir Wilderness, Nature, Sierra Nevada
21 Comments
Kauai’s Na Pali Coast: Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai Falls
The Kalalau Trail is neither dog friendly nor in California. It really has nothing to do with the whole point of this site. However, we do travel out of state sometimes, and we often leave Callie behind when we do that. Every once in awhile, we find a hike that is so amazing that it rivals the best that California has to offer. The Na Pali Coast is one of those areas, and so when we hiked the Kalalau Trail this past December, it felt natural to document and share it as I normally would with a local trail. I plan on making this exception again in the future, but only for trails that are truly extraordinary like this one.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: Hawaii, Hiking, Kauai, Na Pali Coast, Nature, Photography, Rainbows, Waterfalls
11 Comments
Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak in Snow
Under the right conditions, the Cucamonga Peak trail transcends what one expects from a local Los Angeles hike. Two years ago on a beautiful winter day, a ten month old Callie and I shared an amazing experience on the trail. I was blown away by the prospect that a hike with scenery and solitude that matched the Sierra was within such close proximity of my doorstep. That hike was a huge inspiration for the creation of this website, and I have been looking forward to returning to it ever since.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Dogs, Hiking, Los Angeles, Nature, Photography, Snow, Winter
7 Comments
Dry Winter on the Mount Waterman Loop
The Mount Waterman loop is two different experiences wrapped into one. A typically serene stroll through the high elevation forests of the San Gabriels is combined with a tour of a defunct ski resort slowly decaying as global warming redefines expectations for Southern California’s winters.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Dogs, Hiking, Landscape Photography, Los Angeles, Mount Waterman, Nature, San Gabriel Mountains, Skiing
10 Comments
The Devils Slide Trail to the Tahquitz Peak Lookout
Don’t let the name fool you, the Devils Slide Trail is a heavenly slice of Southern California hiking.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: California, Dog, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, San Jacinto, Snow, Tahquitz Peak, Wilderness
15 Comments
Mount San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek Trail
Mount San Gorgonio’s Vivian Creek trail is one of the most epic day hikes that you can do with your dog in California, so it has been on our list for awhile. The opportunity finally arose last weekend and we had a blast checking out a new part of California.
Categories: Trip Report
Tags: Califorina, Dogs, Hiking, Nature, Photography, San Gorgonio Wilderness, Travel
10 Comments
CaliTrails 