On February 14, 2025 (Valentine’s Day), Claire Murphy was critically injured in an avalanche inside Mammoth Mountain ski resort. She would die of her injuries a few days later. Her fellow patrolers did everything within their power to save her life. Soon after the accident, ski patrolers from across the United States converged on Mammoth […]
Read more "Sad News from Mammoth"One of the National Parks Service employees who was recently fired was Education Park Ranger Brian Gibbs. He writes: “I am absolutely heartbroken and completely devastated to have lost my dream job of an Education Park Ranger with the National Park Service this Valentine’s Day. Access to my government email was denied mid-afternoon and my […]
Read more "A special Trail Report from Ranger Brian…"Day One (10/17): Iconic New York view from Renee’s apartment on the Upper East Side. Jim and Renee bought two apartments in the same building and combined them. (Their neighbor Madonna bought three townhomes on the same block and combined them.) Here, Karen can be seen pointing to Madonna’s roof. Nearby Central Park. Day Two […]
Read more "New York Highlights: 2024"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 […]
Read more "Trail Report: A Special Place"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 […]
Read more "Trail Report: “Unfinished Business in the Yosemite High Country”"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 […]
Read more "Trail Report: “Sky Blue Lakes and Pikas”"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 […]
Read more "Un Cuento del Camino: Some Sierra Place Names"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 […]
Read more "Road Trip Report: A Stupid Miracle"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 […]
Read more "Road Trip Report: Autumn in the Eastern Sierra, by guest author Poppy"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 […]
Read more "Trail Report Redux: “You Are Here”"
"Trail Reports" 