Tanbark Trail Big Sur: Hiking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP
Following Saturday’s short hike to the beautiful McWay Falls in Big Sur I was adamant about wanting to go for a longer day hike. Unfortunately the trail I had noted to hike, the Ewoldsen Trail, is apparently closed right now (March 2013)… but looking at the maps in the parking area of the McWay Falls trailhead Curtis & I discovered that the previously closed Tanbark Trail was now open instead, and it did look like a very similar, although slightly longer, hike.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Camping & Hiking McWay Falls
Tourist season is almost upon us again up in Groveland – slowly the local businesses are livening up, we are beginning to see a steady flow of traffic Yosemite, and I can hear the PML golfers outside teeing more and more often. These changes made me realize that if I wanted to go to any traditional popular tourist locations I had better get moving now, or face the higher prices and thicker crowds that true summer tourist season demands. Impetus enough for Curtis & I to make our (moderately spontaneous?) trip to Big Sur this weekend!
Yosemite Snowshoeing: Crane Flat Fire Lookout
Winter is almost over! Or, at least it seems that way since daylight saving time and 60 degree weather has started here in Groveland. But, since it did rain last week Curtis and I were able to Yosemite snowshoeing one more time this weekend. We ended up picking a classic, the Crane Flat Fire Lookout. We have cross country skied up to the lookout before, but I could return to again and…
Stanislaus National Forest Hiking: Groveland Dog Walking Along the Tuolumne
Note that areas located within the 2013 Rim fire, including this location, are not accessible for safety reasons until Forest Service employees note otherwise. There is obvious signage in this area to indicate closures. Please follow all rules and use your common sense as always when entering into public lands. Hiking in the Groveland Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest is not really a thing. Nobody around here does it that much when Yosemite is so close. Plus, those darn low elevation national forests are…
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…
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!…
Carlon Falls for a December Hike
Trailhead: Evergreen Rd, Stanislaus National Forest – after bridge on South fork of Tuolumne River/ Opposite side as Carlon picnic area sign!
Distance: ~ 3.5 miles out and back. Trail is fairly level at first and then goes over a couple large hills right before reaching the falls.
Mariposa Grove – Without an overpriced Tram Ticket!
Trailhead: Mariposa Grove Rd/Parking lot off of Hwy 41. Might be necessary to take a shuttle in peak times of year.
Distance: ~ 2 miles round trip to Grizzly Giant & Tunnel Tree. The trail is moderately sloped on the hike out.
Thousand Island Lake to the Rush Creek Trailhead – Backpacking Thousand Island Lake Day 3
We knew it was going to be around 7 miles and a REALLY LONG DECENT DOWN. But even if you know that it will be a long hike down it doesn’t necessarily hit you until you are looking down the rocky talus switchbacks to the speck of Agnew Lake and you think to yourself: “What possessed someone to put a trail here?”
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
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