Light winter promises good hiking on the PCT After a hard day of high-elevation backpacking a dozen miles around Ebbetts Pass, I would have settled for crackers, peanut butter and water. Instead, a group of trail angels I’d never met before invited my companion and me into their roadside camp to enjoy hot cheeseburgers and cold beer. That’s the spirit of the Pacific Crest Trail: mountain-sized challenges balanced by world-class company. The 2,650-mile path between the borders of Mexico and Canada never fails to deliver both.  Some 7,000 hikers tread the path each year, including around 10 ..read more

Hike to these scenic Yosemite waterfalls Spring brings good things to the Sierra Nevada, like the opening of mountain passes, blooming wildflowers and snowmelt to awaken rivers and creeks. Nothing shows nature’s transition from winter to summer like those streams when they fall over steep rocky cliffs, and no place in California boasts more magnificent waterfalls than Yosemite National Park. Some  great viewing opportunities require only a few minutes of walking. Reaching others takes a full day of high-altitude hiking. Both extremes and choices in the middle are all worthy options. These ..read more

Backpacking Tips “I turned 50 recently and I’m grateful to still enjoy outdoor activities that I picked up in my youth. Following are lessons I’ve learned over the years. This installment, the fourth of five, focuses on backpacking tips.” When the bear wandered by my camp, I grabbed my camera and shot pictures like mad. Unwisely, I followed the bruin, which snarled and bluffed a charge. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest and I backed off, wiser than before. Fifty years of outdoor experiences have taught me a few things which I hope are worth sharing. Through this series, I offer you 50 ..read more

Donations will close the gap needed to create a safer, more enjoyable experience for bikers and hikers descending from the Flume Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail The loose, sandy descent at the end of the iconic Flume Trail has long been an issue for mountain bikers and hikers alike. Riders have been known to go over their handlebars due to the deep sand, and conflicts between user groups descending Tunnel Creek from the Flume Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail are increasing in frequency. To relieve the pressure and create a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone, the Tahoe Fund is launching a matchin ..read more

From Cabo To Canada The longest mountain bike trail in the world? Photos courtesy of Orogenesis At over 5,000 miles long from Cabo to Canada, Orogenesis nabs that title. But it doesn’t totally exist yet. The longest mountain bike trail in the world is 95% complete — the only gaps are in California. Orogenesis is the geologic process of mountain forming. This process has shaped the western flanks of North America for millions of years—creating the majestic peaks, bubbling streams, and solemn forest groves that we love and cherish. The Orogenesis route winds through these landscapes, painting it ..read more

These three spectacular ranges are only the beginning Arrow Canyon, Bird Spring, Bloody Run, Clan Alpine, Devils Hole, Flowery, Golden Gate, Goshute, Halfpint, Hog Ranch, Jumbled, Little High Rock, Medicine, Nightingale, Painted Point, Pancake, Pine Nut, Rawhide, Skull, Snake, Smoke Creek, Snowstorm, White Throne, Wild Horse. These are just two dozen of the over 300 named mountain ranges stretching across Nevada. There are an additional 100 unnamed ranges scattered across the desert and sagebrush. Alaska has the highest point in the US, and Colorado has the highest mean elevation, but Nevada h ..read more

Inyo County offers moderate majesty for adventurous hikers Words and photos by Matt Johanson What dramatic extremes fill Inyo County. The large rural community on California’s eastern border boasts the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, the lowest and hottest points in North America, and the oldest trees in the world. Mount Whitney, Death Valley and the Ancient Bristlecone Pines Forest all deserve attention. Indigenous people of Inyo County call the area Payahuunadü, which means “Land of the Flowing Water.” Yet one need not climb high mountains, trek through arid desert or even venture ..read more

Discovering Historical Treasure on Santa Cruz Island By: Marissa Neely As liveaboards and avid sailors, it pains me to say that our last sail aboard our boat, Avocet, was in October of 2021 – but it’s not for a lack of wanting. My partner Chris and I have been keeping busy with various boat projects from refinishing our cabin sole to building a hardtop dodger in addition to working to fund the projects; our final big push before we cast off for good in search of adventure beyond the horizon. Despite the projects and lack of sailing, we do our best to find the time to put away the tools and get ..read more

Ultrarunner Accomplishes Huge Feat in 51 Days, 16 Hours and 55 Minutes “Training your body, both physically and mentally, for a challenge like the Pacific Crest Trail is a full-on experience. When it all comes together in moments like these, the sense of gratitude for the hours of preparation that you have put in is quite overwhelming,” says adidas Terrex athlete Timothy Olson. “I couldn’t have imagined a better way to finish than with my family alongside me, and I’m eternally grateful for the unrelenting support they’ve given me, not only over the past 51+ days but also in the buildup to th ..read more