Bass Lake & Yosemite

What a wonderfully amazing trip! Ryan & Diana are two of my favorite campers in the world! From bear sightings to hikes to gorgeous views, this trip had it all. Not even Labor Day weekend crowds could dampen the mood on this trip! Awesome Awesome Awesome =)

17 miles, 8 hours, just me

Mt. San Gorgonio has it in for me. I want to make it to the top, but I've been twice denied. This time I came within 2 miles of the peak before the thunder and lightning became too much for me to psychologically overcome on my own. There are apparently storms like this pretty often, and they pass quickly, however.. I was alone on the mountain, 8 miles in, watching lightning strikes elsewhere on the mountain, and wildfires were running through my mind. I simply don't think I could outrun one of those... I will try again, mark my word. I will climb the tallest mountain in Southern California.

Mt. Baden Powell

So, I've attempted this hike a few times before, but never made it to the top. Reasons ranging from starting too late to getting too cold to hiking alone... OH MY GAHHHH, why did I ever wait??? It's 4 miles up at a pretty steep grade (2800' elevation gain). At the top we were exactly 9,399 feet in the air!! Thin air up there, but soooo gorgeous :). Well worth the sweat and aching legs!

Baden Powell was named after the Boy Scout Founder back in the day and at the top is a sort of monument/compass with boy scout writings all around it - very cool. You need the trusty adventure pass to park here, up the 138 to Hwy 2 past Wrightwood.

Palos Verdes tidepools

We went looking for an old shipwreck, but the tidepools were so sweet that we never found the wreckage! Crabbies everywhere, sea urchins, seals out on the rocks. Sadly we also found a couple of dead seals on the beach which, in their own way, were beautiful on their own. It was a foggy day, making the hillsides even more serene.

Trail Canyon Falls

This one is up off of Big Tujunga Canyon Road north of the 210 fwy. A super hot hike in blazing sun the day we tried it, but definitely worth it in the end! The pool below the falls was actually kinda warm compared to some, and we splashed around in it for almost an hour before heading back. 2 thumbs up! but watch out for rattlesnakes, we unknowingly took a water break right next to one..