This Trail Report is dedicated to The Peaceful Warrior. Dates: September 10 to 14, 2024 Trailhead: Mosquito Flat (Inyo National Forest) Nearest Town: Half way between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop, California Distance Hiked: 8 miles (1,000 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Eastern Mono and Northern Paiute Reading Companion: Squeeze Me, by Carl […]

Dates: August 19 to 23, 2024 Trailhead: Lyell Canyon Nearest Town: Lee Vining, California Distance Hiked: 22 miles (3,000 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Western Mono / Monache, Me-Wok (Central Sierra Miwok), Numu (Northern Paiute) Reading Companion: Finding Everett Ruess by David Roberts (recommended by The Documentarian atop Kearsarge Pass in June […]

Dates: July 16 to July 20, 2024 Trailhead: Cottonwood Pass (Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest) Nearest Town: Lone Pine, California Distance Hiked: 28.5 miles (5,787 feet of elevation gain) Native Land Territories Visited: Newe (Western Shoshone), Tübatulabal Hello and welcome to another Trail Report! I am glad you could join me! Here we have […]

Here we have a 13 mile sojourn into the eastern Sierra beginning in Onion Valley and going over Kearsarge Pass. (Fun Fact: On June 19, 1864 the U.S.S. Kearsarge sank the C.S.S. Alabama. Chalk one up for the union!) I revisited Onion Valley and its trailhead as it is one of my favorites. This was […]

Skiing is stupid. I love it anyway. Most skiers I meet also love the sport deeply. A skier has to be in love with the sport to endure all the hassle the pursuit of skiing requires.  As evidence of skiing’s stupidity, may I submit actual drawings from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial. Thank you Gwyneth […]

About the author: Poppy is a 10 year old lady dog of mixed heritage who has spent ten human years on this earth. She is mostly Queensland Heeler but also has some Blue Tick Hound. While at home she is a diligent watchdog. During her morning and evening walks she likes to spend time with […]

This Trail Report Redux is dedicated to my good friend Mike who was there the day I first spoke to the Mad Professor. Being lost can have its rewards. Being lost can test your mettle. Being lost can rekindle an appreciation for home and loved ones. It can be nice to get lost in a […]

Fall was in the air, and my thoughts turned to school, number two Ticonderoga pencils and my former colleagues stuck in their classrooms. For my final fall backpacking trip of the season I embarked on a four day sojourn to the beloved Yosemite Valley once again.  There I spent a rainy but lovely evening. Two […]

This hike’s nominations for “Trail Highlight” are: The Cloudripper, The Medic, The Foxtail Pine and The Clark’s Nutcracker. Upon my first visit to the South Lake Trailhead above the town of Bishop, California I thought it was the prettiest high sierra trailhead I had yet seen. I feel a second opinion is in order, so […]