Hiking Olmstead Loop in the Auburn State Recreation Area

Tall grasses protrude from a pond in the foreground with oak tree covered foothills behind the pond.
One of the ponds at the Auburn State Recreation Area emerges as you hike along the Olmstead Loop Trail from the canopy. This is one of three ponds in the area.

We hiked a portion of the Olmstead Loop Trail in the Auburn State Recreation Area on a warm spring morning when the hills were still green and wildflowers were still in bloom.

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Backpacking to Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness

Lake Aloha sits behind pine trees with mountains behind it.
Lake Aloha on the Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail is a gorgeous site to see with the forest in front of it and the mountains behind it.

The hike from Echo Lake to Lake Aloha is a beautiful Type 2 Fun hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. We backpacked into Desolation Wilderness and were there for two nights.

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Backpacking to Dewey Point in Yosemite National Park

The view from Dewey Point with El Capitan to the left.
The view from Dewey Point looks the High Sierras in the distance with El Capitan to the left.

The hike to Dewey Point from the McGurk Meadow Trail in Yosemite National Park is a hike to a fantastic view of El Capitan with Half Dome in the distance and the majestic tops of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the background. While many people do this hike as a day hike, we decided to backpack in and spend the night at Dewey Point.

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Backpacking to Buck Island Lake in Eldorado National Forest

Buck Island Lake with forest and mountain ridges in the background.
Buck Island Lake is offers crystal blue waters in a picturesque setting in the Eldorado National Forest.

We backpacked out to Buck Island Lake over the summer which is in the El Dorado National Forest near Loon Lake but just short of going into Desolation Wilderness. The lake itself was beautiful where we and other backpackers were. But behold, the other side of the lake where the Jeepers are left the experience something to be desired.

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Hiking the Arnold Rim Trail to the “Top of the World”

The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range can be seen from the "Top of the World" on the Arnold Rim trail with snow caps in the distance.
The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range can be seen from the “Top of the World” on the Arnold Rim trail with snow caps in the distance.

The Arnold Rim Trail is a hike through a part of the Stanislaus National Forest that leads to a fantastic point dubbed the “The Top of the World” where the view is incredible. From the Sierras, you can see over to the Coastal Range and Mount Diablo nearly 90 miles away on a clear day.

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Hiking Upper Ritchey Canyon at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

The forest at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park on the Upper Ritchey Canyon Trail are recovering from a fire that occurred in 2020.
The forest at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park on the Upper Ritchey Canyon Trail are recovering from a fire that occurred in 2020.

The hike to Upper Ritchey Canyon at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is challenging, but along the way you can see a forest that is in recovery from a fire that burned through parts of it in 2020.

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Hiking Dipsea Trail To Muir Woods National Monument

The Dipsea Trail at Mount Tamalpais State Park hikes you though the serenity of the tall trees.
The Dipsea Trail at Mount Tamalpais State Park hikes you though the serenity of the tall trees.

This hike takes you under lush canopy at Mount Tamalpais State Park, up steep stairs, gives you a fantastic view overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and then you hike among the Redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument. But it’s also difficult for me to get excited about this hike.

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Hiking Old Man’s Beard and Sam the Eagle at Moore Creek Park

A trail is cut through an oak forest foothill during the springtime when the grasses are green and lush.
Old Man’s Beard at Moore Creek Park can be green and beautiful in the springtime.

Like the other hikes we’ve done at Lake Hennessey, Old Man’s Beard and Sam the Eagle trails at Moore Creek Park are pleasant when hiked in the springtime with green hills, wildflowers as the foliage is coming back to the trees.

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