Category: Out And Back

Posted on

Hiking Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir

Relief Reservoir sits in the base of Granite cliffs.
Relief Reservoir sits in the Eastern Sierra Mountains just south of Kennedy Meadows.

We wanted to get out of our normal Northern California area and explore an area we haven’t been to, and we headed to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Tuolumne County off of Highway 108 to hike to Relief Reservoir.

We pulled in at the Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, and we hiked out from there. This Kenndey Meadows is not to be confused with the Kennedy Meadows along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The hike starts out behind a locked gate on a mountain road at about 6,400 feet and eventually climbs to a little more than 7,300 feet. But don’t be fooled; the elevation doesn’t offer much summer heat relief.

Continue reading “Hiking Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir”

Posted on

Hiking Three Falls in Glacier National Park

St. Mary Lake with mountains in the background.
Saint Mary Lake from the Piegan Pass Trail in Glacier National Park.

This was our first hike in Glacier National Park, and I’m glad it was our first. We weren’t real impressed with the hike for about the first two miles until we started getting into the forest. Prior to that, we hiked through a burned-out area, and it reminded us of being back home in California where much of the state’s wilderness areas have suffered from wildfires. But we could see beauty in the distance as we looked to where we were headed.

As we hiked along, the view of Saint Mary Lake was quite beautiful with the snowy mountains in the background.

Continue reading “Hiking Three Falls in Glacier National Park”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Backpacking to Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Backpacking to Buck Island Lake in Eldorado National Forest”

Posted on

Hike to Darwin Falls at Death Valley National Park

Darwin Falls is a spring-fed waterfall at Death Valley National Park.
Darwin Falls is a spring-fed waterfall at Death Valley National Park.

A waterfall at Death Valley National Park? Yep, there certainly is, and the hike to Darwin Falls is pretty easy for the most part.

The hike starts off from the parking lot and follows a Darwin Wash back to the waterfall. We didn’t start to notice water until about .7 miles from the trailhead that flowed from the waterfall in a stream. As we ventured further back, we went from a dry desert wash to trees, cattails and other greenery, including ferns, fed by the water.

Continue reading “Hike to Darwin Falls at Death Valley National Park”

Posted on

Hiking Desolation Canyon at Death Valley National Park

From the high point of the Desolation Canyon Trail at Death Valley National Park, you can see the Panamint Mountain Range, Telescope Peak, portions of Cottonball Basin, Middle Basin and Badwater Basin.
From the high point of the Desolation Canyon Trail at Death Valley National Park, you can see the Panamint Mountain Range, Telescope Peak, portions of Cottonball Basin, Middle Basin and Badwater Basin.

If you love dirt and sand, Desolation Canyon at Death Valley National Park is for you. If you don’t, the view at the end and colors in the canyon walls is may be worth the hike, but getting there can be a chore.

Continue reading “Hiking Desolation Canyon at Death Valley National Park”

Posted on

Backpacking to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park

Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park.
Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park can be stunning to watch from a vantage point off the trail leading to the campground.

At the right time of the year, backpacking to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park can be beautiful with wildflowers all around, Wapama Falls with its powerful gushing water, and almost the constant views of the blue waters of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Continue reading “Backpacking to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park”

Proudly powered by WordPress