Yosemite Firefall 2013 & How to enjoy the Yosemite Sunset
This weekend I got to check an item off of my Yosemite Bucket List: seeing the Yosemite firefall! Curtis and I spent two evenings (Saturday and Sunday, February 23rd and 24th) among a flock of fancy cameras & photographers waiting for the sun to set in just the perfect way on Horsetail Falls. Except calling it “Horsetail Falls” is a bit of a stretch – perhaps we should temporarily label…
Red Hills CA – Hiking the Overlook Loop Trail
I feel like hiking on BLM land is always this unique experiences, kind of like the wild west of trails – open to horses, mountain bikes, geocachers, and lots of beer & whiskey drinking (inferring from the litter). The skeptical look of the cowboys greeted us as we pulled into the Red Hills Area of Environmental Concern (Red Hills CA) this Presidents Day weekend, as if they could tell we…
Warming Up with Winter Fitness Tips for Hikers- Fitness February Week 3
The forecast says that Groveland is in a winter weather advisory today until 11pm, and I am getting a little excited for some precipitation in the area – meaning I am getting excited for skiing, snowshoeing & the firefall viewing (because we need water for horsetail falls to even be running) this weekend if it happens? But with all good winter weather comes the drag of being cold, which can really stall my own…
Hiking Wine Glasses for Valentines Day & Camping Dates!
With Valentines Day tomorrow romance is on the mind- & the stereotypical kind at that – like hearts, chocolate, flowers, & wine. All of these things are actually pretty prominent when hiking, which is probably why getting outdoors with you significant other is always such a great “Date”: The natural flora (flowers), Trail mix or a snickers bar if your lucky (chocolate), & Cardiovascular exercise (hearts)! But we all know what is missing from this list – The Wine!…
Backpacking Workouts – Fitness February Week 2
Last week I started creating a backpacking workout routine based on balancing endurance, strength, and flexibility training to start getting prepared to be in the best shape I can before backpacking season. I am continuing on the same schedule this week cycling through a couple different exercises as to not get bored and try and really make this “Routine” and routine. Why do Backpackers Need a Fitness Routine? I am a pretty active person: a regular runner, a weekly yogi & cycler, and…
Hiking Fitness Training February – Week 1 Workouts to Become a Healthy Hiker
Although it might be a month too late for New Years resolutions, I am still resolving to figure out how to get in shape for hiking season this month – & then to achieve awesome hiking fitness before the summer backpacking season begins! I am calling it Fitness February, and you can follow me in figuring out what will really physically prepare a hiker hitting the trail strengthened and pain free. What exercises should hikers do?…
Orient Express Chinese Camp, CA – 4 Mile Race
For the last 9+ weeks (in theory 9, but Chirstmas and a stomach flu happened in that same time frame, so you know…) I have challenging myself to follow a Couch to 5K program. A Couch to 5k program, if you are not in the know, is a gradual way to take yourself from being a lazy couch potato and turn you into a 5K racer. Which may seem weird for me because…
Cross Country Skiing Dodge Ridge – on the Crabtree Trail
You know how you know you are on a real adventure? You travel one whole pass up the mountain! That is right, we traveled all the way over to Hwy 108 / Sonora pass to cross country ski Dodge Ridge. First skiing trip of the year, meets first winter trek outside of Hwy 120, meets first first trip to Dodge Ridge. Just kidding (about the whole “Real adventure“, and “One…
New Yosemite Day Hikes Blog Map!
Just a quick little blog post to announce my new Yosemite Day Hikes Blog Map. I have been dreaming of putting together this map forever and finally got around to actualizing it today! The map shows information about all the Yosemite day hikes I have blogged about in the past, with links to the posts & provides a brief summary of the hikes below. In addition, when you click on…
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
Follow Me: