Backcountry Bliss

New Post Schedule

2011-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

For the last few months I've been trying to post roughly 5 days a week. When I was forced to miss a week of posts due to other obligations I ended up having posts shuffle right out of my schedule all together. Hence we've been basically in radio silence for the last few months.

Now things get more complicated as I begin a transition between jobs which is going to absorb more of my time (which, by the way I'm not complaining about I'm one of those rare people fortunate to love what they do for a living).

It's no longer realistic, or healthy (for myself or the blog) to try and churn out 5 posts a week like a factory. Instead I'm going to try and boost the production value a little bit and fix some of the back end stuff like the Bay Area hiking map that's been broken for almost 3 months.

That's the good news. The bad news is that for now anyway I'm going to cut back to one post a week. Probably Tuesday.

What do you think of this? Am I being a wuss or are you'll all just happy I'm actually going to be posting again?

Tioga Pass to Open Saturday, June 18th, 2011

2011-06-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

After a longer than usual wait the Tioga Pass (through the Yosemite High Country) will finally open to cars for the 2011 season this Saturday, June 18th at 8:00am. The National Park Service has indicated there will be several no-stopping zones and hiking opportunities severely limited for some time due to snow and swelling rivers. Expect plenty of water on the road as well and plan to drive with extra caution.

No services will be available at the facilities most of which are probably still snow bound and the campgrounds from Crane Flat to Lee Vining will remain closed for now. They can be expected to remain so for at least a couple more weeks as snow continues to melt releasing its hold on the Sierra High Country. Photos from Opening Weekend 2010

Angel Island State Park, Ridge Camp Loop

2011-05-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

An overnight visit to Angel Island has nothing to do with distance hiking in fact it’s hardly even backpacking. It’s all about exploring, taking in the views of the city, and having the island to yourself.

Day 1:

Ayala Cove to Ridge Camp

Jump to Day 2: Mt. Livermore

After nervously waiting at the gate, hoping the staff would recognize that we wanted to hop on the ferry we caught the last boat from Tiburon to Ayala Cove on Angel Island. After confirming our reservation at the Kiosk near the dock we marched up the trail gaining elevation on our way towards Ft. Reynolds.

Purple April Wildflowers with Mt. Tamalpias and Tiburon in the distance.

We enjoyed views of Marin and copious wildflowers as we scuffled up the trail gaining a little bit of elevation as we made our way towards Ft. Reynolds. We passed a large group of campers with a Boy Scout troop occupying the Kayak Camp. We never heard them again.

Hummingbird resting on a small branch.

We turned the corner on the Island after Ft. Reynolds which exposed views of San Francisco, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. The most obvious viewing location was in the former location of Battery Ledyard but we moved on from this quickly anxious to set up camp only a few hundred feet away in Ridge #5.

Ridge #5 and #3 both have million dollar views but are exposed to the high winds coming off the Pacific Ocean. Ridge #4 has no view but is sheltered. All the sites have grills and are close to the bathroom. We had food lockers but elected not to use them on account of 2 fat black widows currently using the wood boxes as their home. After setting up camp in Ridge #5 and stringing up our food we set out to hunt down some water.

San Francisco Skyline, Alcatraz, and Cargo Ship from Ridge Camp #5.

Hiking to Battery Ledyard.

We walked about a quarter mile out to Battery Drew and watched the sun set soaking up the isolation of the island at dusk. The only intruding noises came from scuffle of deer in the brush and the occasional moan of a fog horn on the Bay. Yet just a few miles across the water we could see the busiest city in Northern California.

San Francisco From Battery Drew.

Setting Sun over Marin Headlands.

In the dusk light we strolled along the paved road back to our camp and started boiling water for dinner reveling in the spectacular views available to us at all times. We played around for a bit, snapping long exposure photos of the city before tucking into bed, flaps open so we could gaze out at the Golden Gate Bridge as we dozed off to sleep.

Summary

Difficulty - Very Easy
Length - 6.2 Miles
Crowds - Busy
Fees - $14 Ferry Fee
Best Season(s) - Any

Route Description

From Ferry Landing:

Right on Perimeter Road.
Left up to Ridge Sites 4, 5, and 6

[News] 70 California State Parks to Close

2011-05-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Many redwood parks like Portola Redwoods (photo above) and Del Norte Redwoods are being closed in addition to some Bay Area favorites like Castle Rock, Samuel P. Taylor, and Henry W. Coe.

Look at a city or state budget and you'll see where it's priorities are or in the case of the California State Park System, where they are not. Friday (the 13th of May no less) it was announced that 70 more parks are now sitting on the chopping block for complete closure with the Bay Area chipping in more than it's fair share (about 20) to ease the state budget deficit.

Popular Bay Area parks like Samuel P. Taylor, Henry W. Coe, and Castle Rock are all slated to be closed permanently. Park Officials have said we will see service reductions immediately and closures beginning at the end of summer. Most of closures are in Historic Sites, the most famous of which is the Governors Mansion in Sacramento. Redwood Parks however like Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Hendy Woods, and Portola Redwoods are also on the chopping block.

All in all about 25% of the State Park system will be closing. This after several waves of severe service reductions phased in over the last 5 years which has left trails in parks like Portola Redwoods virtually wild, covered in debris, and overgrown.

Park Officials have indicated that some parks might remain open if they receive local support. We may say foundations like SF based, Save the Redwoods League, and the California State Parks Foundation swoop in and rescue several of these parks. California Parks Director, Ruth Coleman, told the San Francisco Chronicle "We are very much reaching out to all Californians and asking them to work with us to forge partnerships to identify new groups and new entities that can run these parks,".

Bay Area Parks to Close:

Annadel State Park (Sonoma County)
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Sonoma County)
Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park (Sonoma County)
Austin Creek State Recration Area (Sonoma County)
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (Napa County)
Tomales Bay State Park (Marin County)
Olompali State Historic Park (Marin County)
Samuel P. Taylor State Park (Marin County)
China Camp State Park (Marin County)
Benecia State Recreation Area (Solano County)
Benecia Capitol State Historic Park (Solano County)
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (San Francisco County)
Gray Whale Cove State Beach (San Mateo County)
Portola Redwoods State Park (Santa Cruz County)
Castle Rock State Park (Santa Clara County)
Henry W. Coe State Park (Santa Clara County)
Moss Landing State Beach (Santa Cruz County)
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park (Santa Cruz County)

Other Notable Closures:


Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Castle Crags State Park
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Garrapata State Park
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
Hendy Woods State Park
Limekiln State Park
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
Russian Gulch State Park

Monday Morning: Managing Creativity

2011-05-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite books

Creativity comes in waves for me. I don't think anyone is feeling at the top of their game all the time, but I know I don't. Learning to manage the surges of creative power and the inevitable plateaus that follow seems to me to be the hallmark of the most prolific minds.

I'm still relatively new at this whole game so I'm learning to manage those plateau's. EVen something as simple as this little blog takes heaps and heaps (and heaps) of creative energy. Right when I seem to be clipping along, I'll have a week where I can hardly get a word down into the blank screen in front of me. I have the topics swirling in my head I just can't figure out how to write, to compose my photographs, to do my thing.

Finding Creativity

The weather does not need to be great to find inspiration outside. In fact often it's best if it's not.

Clearly my most reliable source of creativity in my life is in the outdoors. Here especially in the American West our backyards are littered with gems of natural beauty that only the truly jaded would have the power to reject. A day spent in the redwoods, among peaks and granite domes, resting by a lake or sitting by a creek is almost always enough to get my brain relaxed and feeling restored.

Still I'm a multi-dimensional person, and my life does not revolve around the outdoors even if this blog does. Further with a busy schedule I don't always have a chance to get outdoors to rejuvenate myself.

Other Ways I Find Creative Inspiration

Meditation - I mostly meditate at home, at least once a week for a half an hour or so I need to sit down and clear my mind. Because we live near a busy road I usually need to flip on something like Tibetan Bells. Sometimes I'll listen to something more engaging like Sigur Ros but that's rare (usually I find it distracting).
Reading - I'm inspired by good writing. Jack Kerouac is my personal favorite, but there are many, many others. I've never found a blog that inspires me quite like a good book. I like to read before bed, but I get the most out of it if I take some time to read in the afternoon.
Photography - Since I was 17 and first picked up a SLR camera I've loved photography, making it or viewing it. I find the work of G. Dan Mitchell a particularly endless well of inspiration.
A Glass of Wine - I don't think it has anything to do with the alcohol but something about sitting down at my desk here with the windows open next to a glass of good wine really gets me in the mood to write in a way that even a cold beer can't seem to match.
Music - Jazz is my go to. About half the blogs here have been written with Thelonious Monk in the background. That or the blues, regardless of my particular mood. For fun I mostly listen to Indie Rock, but I seldom find it particularly inspiring.

Avoiding Creativity

Other times I simply avoid creative writing by churning out something formulaic. Gear is particularly easy to write about like this because I can still write with some authority without feeling a creative fire. Gear is easy, and I'll be the first to admit it's a crutch. It takes no real insight to write how-to's either. I'm seldom if ever proud of these posts. They're just my way of buying time. I try and make them always at least entertaining.

Found Friday: Growing is Forever

2011-05-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

Some weeks you're just on it. Belting tasks out, feeling productive, creative, inspired, and on other weeks... not so much. This week was a "not so much" week.

Something about our trip to the Yosemite Valley last weekend took a tremendous physical toll on my body from which I'm just now starting to recover. It's weeks like this that remind me that I'm not invincible and that not all

Even on the bad weeks though it helps to find some kind of inner peace so I don't just get frustrated and spaz out. On these kinds of weeks, which aren't so good I try to throw myself back to the places I've been and tap into the calm I've found there.

Video's like this help:

Growing Is Forever from NPCA on Vimeo.

Monday Morning: Apres-Hike

2011-05-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write about this for several weeks now but I can't think of a better time to do so than right now.

We came back from Yosemite at about 11:30pm last night after hiking all day over steep trails, rough cross-country terrain, and snowfields. Looking down the Little Yosemite Valley with a grand view of the back side of Half-Dome of course made all this exertion worth it. The views and remarkable destinations are what inspire these trips.

It struck me though as we sat sipping beer and wolfing down pizza in Curry Village while watching the sun set on the walls of the Yosemite Valley that the soreness from so much physical exertion is it's own kind of reward. Much like skiing this exertion is best celebrated, rather than lamented, with indulgences of course. For us it was pizza and beer, something not regularly on our generally healthy diet. Often its a stop off at In-N-Out burger, again, hardly ever on the menu.

Not only do we indulge - it's food that's never tasted so good. Pizza is great, but apres-hike pizza is on a whole other level (like how airline food sometimes tastes great because you're starving). Suddenly the pain of our aching joints after mile after mile always seems to melt away like the gooey mozzarella topping.

What's your favorite Apres-Hike meal or do you prefer a soak in the hot tub after a long hike?

5 Best Parks to Spot Wildflowers in the Bay Area

2011-04-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

Finding Wildflowers in the Bay Area

In the spring wildflowers are everywhere in the Bay Area and while nearly every park has some blooms (even the freeways bloom around the Bay) here and there a few parks stand above the crowd. Many other parks also have wonderful displays including: Almaden-Quicksilver, Foothills, Windy Hill, Point Reyes, Mt Tamalpais, Mt Diablo, and Mission Peak. Keep in mind too that after the dominant displays in the hills are over in May, deep in the redwoods beautiful redwood sorrel and foxgloves quietly come to life extending the season well into July.

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Russian Ridge is a popular park in any season. It has rolling green hills with sweeping views over the redwood studded Santa Cruz Mountains which continue out to the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. When the wildflowers pop out though your eye might stray awhile from the grand landscape down to the beauty just below your nose. Each April Russian Ridge lights up with powerful displays of Owl's Clover, Checkerbloom, Fiddlenecks, California Golden Violet's, and several kinds of Lupine every year. Some of the best displays can be found on the slopes of Borel Hill but patches are all over the park. The combination of grand views, quaint forests, and a strong wildflower showing makes Russian Ridge one of the first destinations on any wildflower spotters list.

Edgewood Park & Preserve

The king-daddy of wildflower parks. Edgewood explodes with color and life every spring putting on dazzling displays of gold and purple which cover the hillsides in the largest, densest, and most diverse showing of wildflowers in the Bay Area. The hills above the Serpentine trail offer the best showings, but any of the clearings will be covered with wildflowers. Unfortunately though the park happens to be situated close to the noise and polluted air of Hwy 280 which draws from the serenity of the park considerably. Truth be told Edgewood would actually be a pretty mediocre park if it were not for the jaw dropping show it's wildflowers put on every spring.

Santa Teresa County Park

Tucked away in South San Jose out where the sprawling suburbs finally give way to undeveloped country lies an unassuming trailhead off Fortini Road. Two steps up the trail you'll discover slopes covered in the orange and gold of Poppies, Goldenfields, and Fiddlenecks all backed up against commanding views of a mostly pristine valley and the highest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains beyond that. Although the Fortini trail (the best wildflowers are found along this trail) is fairly short, a larger loop up Coyote Peak offers increasingly grand views and continually impressive displays of wildflowers. The wildflower showings in Santa Teresa are not as grand as in Russian Ridge and Edgewood however you'll likely have this little gem of a park to yourself free from the roar of cars and buzz of city life.

Briones Regional Preserve

From the slopes of Mount Diablo to Mission Peak there blooms an abundance of wildflowers in the green grassy hills of the East Bay. What the East lacks in blazing displays and a rich diversity of flowers though it makes up for the consistency and ease in which you can find them. Small patches litter the hills and steep valleys and the best place to enjoy them is most likely Birones Regional Park who's rolling green hills are packed with glowing displays of nearly every kind of wildflower.Briones Photo by aar0n5150 (on flickr)

Angel Island State Park

Angel Island may not have the most impressive displays of Wildflowers in the Bay Area but they are set against one of the most stunning backdrops in the region. Poppies flutter in the wind on the steep slopes of Mt. Livermore, the highest point on the island, while Lupines dot the coastal flats sitting amongst the relics of gun batteries which overlooking the choppy waters of the San Francisco Bay. With views in all directions there isn't a boring spot on the island. The west shore of the island though is particularly alive with blooms of Lupine and also benefits from views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands behind it.

If you need help identifying wildflowers be sure to have a look at our wildflower identification guide on Facebook for ID's for some of the most common blooms in the Bay Area.

Hikers Hut & Heritage Grove, Sam McDonald County Park

2011-04-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Old Growth Redwood Groves are very uncommon in the Santa Cruz mountains. Most of the trees were cut down to feed a developing San Francisco’s need for timber. Those that remain like in Muir Woods and Big Basin are crowded and lack the prestine almost primeval feel of the north coast redwoods. With one exception. Tucked back between Alpine Road and Hwy 84 through La Honda sits little Sam McDonald County Park and the Heritage Grove tucked in the canyon of Alpine Creek.

Hike Summary

Difficulty - Moderate
Length - 4.4 Miles
Crowds - Few to None
Fees - $5.00 Parking Fee
Best Season(s) - Any Season
Get Directions

Though the grove can be accessed most directly from the Heritage Grove trail head and requires only a .3 mile hike from there a larger 4.4 mile loop explores much more of the park including the famous Sierra Club Hikers Hut. In fact perhaps the best way to enjoy the Heritage grove isn’t in it, but looking down upon it from the Heritage Grove trail which traverses the ridge above it.

Redwoods Along the Ridge Loop

The trail begins at the Park Entrance parking lot which itself is quite beautiful and studded with healthy second growth redwoods. I met up with my high school friend Andrew, visiting from New York for a few days and in dire need of some redwood hiking. The first quarter mile or so up the Big Tree Trail climbs steeply and switchbacks up the ridge through a nice mixed redwood forest, which although nice is fairly unremarkable and eventually joins the Ridge Loop Trail to continue up the hill.

Near the Jack Brook Horse camp we veered off and joined the Towne Fire Road crossing some beautiful meadows on the grassy summit of the ridge. We spotted a coyote hunting off the trail (unfortunately my longest lens was a 50mm so I couldn’t get a nice photo of it) for mice. The brief detour on to the Brook Trail provides some nice variation. We made sure to keep the left to avoid descending the ridge along Towne Creek.

Fence outside the Jay Brook Horse Camp.

Coyote on the prowl near Jay Horse Camp.

Mixed Pine Forest along the Brook Trail.

After a half mile or so on the Brook Loop we again made a left to rejoin the Towne Fire Road briefly. We followed the signage to the Sierra Club hikers hut for a brief detour. After visiting the Hikers Hut (which isn’t anything special unless you are staying there) we joined the Heritage Grove Trail as it descended rapidly down the ridge through a mixed forest which becomes more and more dense with towering redwoods as it continues down hill.

Hiking the Towne Fire Road

The Sierra Club Hikers Hut

After a few switchbacks through a mossy forest we entered the Heritage Grove. Even though it is very close to Alpine Road, even on weekends this area sees very little traffic. We found the trailhead there empty and the grove quiet.

The damp forest floor was covered in ferns and the clover-like Redwood Sorrell. Small tributaries of Alpine Creek cut through the forest floor and filled the air with the sound of tiny bubbling waterfalls. The ground was wet and filled the air with the smell of a damp forest. We spent some time strolling through the grove and discovering its many treasures before eventually heading back up the way we came. This time keeping right on to the Heritage Grove trail back towards the park entrance.

Moss covered tree in the mixed forest below the Hikers Hut.

A decaying log on the damp forest floor.

Heritage Redwood Grove.

The trail climbs up briefly and then levels off while paralleling the creek. The trail is lined with second growth redwoods but sits above the towering Old Growth of the Heritage Grove. These views down into the forest offer a unique way to experience the grove. Even though the hill had us hiking above the base of these trees we were still well below the first branches of the giants.

Looking down on the Heritage Grove

Eventually the trail returns to a mixed forest. We crossed Pescadero Creek Road and hiked the last few hundred feet back to the car, our boots covered in mud (and pants too). After bagging up our boots we hit the road, back over the hill towards home.

Monday Morning: Fond Memories

2011-04-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

I first climbed to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais when I was 9 in Boy Scouts.

When I was growing up in the Bay Area my first experiences hiking were as a boy scout. We'd hike all the major peaks and landmark trails and earn badges for it. Our pack leader had us out on the trail almost all the time. As I grew up though and high school began I got out of the habit of visiting places outside of the South Bay (my home). When I moved away for college I discovered new places to hike.

Now that I've returned home I'm rediscovering the places I roamed as a youngin. I now have only hazy and often overly romanticized memories of them. Even still, 15 years later a grove of trees, a view, even a bend in the trail will seem familiar to me and take me back to to fond memories.

Memories of old family trips to redwood country also commonly pop in to mind and are frequently a source for inspiration.

I spend a lot of time hiking, so I spend a lot of time thinking why it is exactly that I enjoy it so much. No doubt reconnecting with my fond memories of growing up have a lot to do with it. I wonder if another 15 years from now I'll return to the new places I've discovered recently and reflect on them as adoringly as I do those from my scouting memories. I hope I do. Have you rediscovered an old memory on the trail?

No New Posts This Week

2011-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

Beylah and I just wrapped up a Kayaking tour of the Elkhorn Slough to celebrate our 6th anniversary. It was a big step up from paddle boating on our 5th anniversary last year. I suppose we have to go sailing next year to keep up the trend.

Unfortunately my crippling fear of perhaps ever slightly damaging my camera prevented us from taking any photos which would have included 2 day old baby sea otters and habor seal pups as well as a mountain of sea lions.

Since this week is also my birthday and the end of my beer fast (for training purposes) it's a week of celebration around here. So there will be no new posts this week but will be returning to it's regular schedule next week.

The next post will be at 12:00am EST, Monday May 2nd (that's 9pm on Sunday in the west).

Guest Post on Section Hiker

2011-04-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of my lame writing? You're in luck I have a guest post over at Phillip Werner's superb blog, "Section Hiker".

I talk a little bit about my experience climbing Mt. Whitney last year and general thoughts on how to massage the permit system and climb the highest peak in the lower 48. The guide also includes some tips on seasons, conditions, and weather. Hope you enjoy.

Drop in and leave a comment, won't you?

Unseen but Felt

2011-04-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

I read this post several times before posting it, and it seems cheesy, but it's a thought I've been obsessing over recently. So I'm going to share and promise something fun tomorrow in exchange for bearing with me here.

The Love Letter

There are no easy answers or quick fixes for life. When we kick off down the trail and into the wild in search of a voice that will tell us how to live and provide us with easy answers we find only the sound of wind echoing through mountain passes. Yet there is something we can connect with out in the remote places of the Sierra, and other wild mountain ranges, something that moves us on a better course. I can't explain it, but I am as certain of it as anything.

A week ago I posted how excited I was for The Love Letter, Fitz Cahall's most recent project. Quite honestly I felt the 12:00 minute movie (above) fell slightly flat for me. It was very good, but not amazing. It was a little bit cheesy (I think intentionally so) and lacked the moments of clarity I usually take away from Cahall's Dirtbag Diaries. I found a few moments touching and certainly it was AT LEAST worth the 12 minute investment. Perhaps I expected too much though, it felt too short.

This afternoon when I finally got around to refreshing my iTunes I discovered the audio companion to The Love Letter. I flicked it on and listened with excitement.

Unseen But Felt

If the video "The Love Letter", tells the visual story, the audio "Unseen but Felt", tells the much more interesting human story. I found myself cringing at times as I listened (like, actually cringing while I sat in my office chair), then smiling, and then repressing laughter as Fitz recounts the final day of their trip. In vivid detail he describes being wailed on by a blizzard on the north-eastern boundary of Yosemite near Matterhorn Peak (which I intend to climb this year). By the end I wanted to burst out of the office, quit my damn stupid job (which I do actually enjoy) and just live my passion. I was blown away.

Even though most of us have not been trapped in a blizzard or are courageous enough to cut loose for 45 days and crash through the High Sierra we can all relate to the experience and to the burning desire to do it. There is this feeling many of us get that being in wild places brings us closer to something. Something we all chase, that bliss we feel living in the moment on the trail.

The Inexpressible

John Muir compared the Yosemite Valley to a cathedral of nature which is fitting because there is almost a supernatural power to these wild places. When we go we may not find answers, but as Fitz discovered, it's not simply escapism that drives us. These places make us feel alive. They wake us from the sleep we lull ourselves into despite our best efforts.

Visiting these places is a way of reconnecting to that inner peace, that inexpressible something, which we can carry with us into our lives. Once our eyes are open to it, we can find it anywhere from the caring touch of a loved one, to a summer breeze.

There is something special about wild places like the Sierra that lets us reconnect as Fitz did. It's something unseen, but felt. Are you like me and obsess over that inexpressible feeling? Have you felt being in the mountains change you for the better?

Hidalgo Cemetery, Almaden-Quicksilver County Park

2011-04-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Rain pouring down on the slopes of Mt. Umunhum near Spanish Camp.

Summary

Difficulty - Easy to Moderate
Length - 5.1mi
Crowds - Quiet
Fees - None
Best Season(s) - Spring, Fall
Get Directions

After slogging up the first steep mile and a half of this hike you enter perhaps the nicest and most historic loop in the park and for a park filled with sweeping vistas and chocked full of mining history that’s saying something. This hike has long been one of my favorites in the early spring when the weather is cool and the wildflowers are starting to bloom.

I’ve done this hike many times, it’s close to the house I grew up in and it’s always been a favorite of mine in the south bay. From the parking lot I headed out across the open field filled with large boulders and rusting mining equipment. The even ground of that first stretch though gives way slowly to a steep grade up the Deep Gulch Trail. The Deep Gulch Trail has no views but it is shady making it preferable for the climb up to English Camp over the more popular Mine Hill trail.

I found myself shedding layers, even though it was a cloudy day and the dark clouds overhead threatened to rain the temperature was actually quite warm, perhaps even in the 60’s. After getting most of the climbing out of the way the trail dumps out on to the more exposed main trail. I made a left uphill on the English Camp Trail continuing about a half a mile into English Camp.

Large Tin Building in English Camp

English Camp is worth exploring for a first-time visitor (a hike up to Church Hill offers the best views of the ghost town) but as I’ve been many times I hiked right through it keeping left on to the Yellow Kid Trail. The Yellow Kid trail offers some of the first long views all the way out over the Coyote Valley and to the Diablo Range.

The Yellow Kid trail ends at Spanish Town which would be a disappointment compared to English Camp. Nothing of Spanish Town remains except one old crumbling building. Near its former heart though there are fantastic views of the chaparral covered east slopes of the Sierra Azul dominated by Mt. Umunhum and Loma Prieta (the mountain was the epicenter of the 1989 earthquake).

A Fence near the former site of Spanish Camp.

Orchard Trees near Spanish Camp.

From Spanish Camp I swung Left on to the Hidalgo Cemetery Trail on toward my eventual destination. The longer I spent on the ridge the more obvious it was to me that the storm clouds I had noticed previously would be doing more than threaten to rain. Within a few minutes I could no longer see the crest of the ridge and the long diagonal streaks of hard rain could be seen descending over the slopes. As the first drops fell on my head I stashed away my camera, flipped up my collar and tried to make good time towards the cemetery.

I hurried along the ridge passing some odd cactus growing near a large serpentine formation which was studded with some early wildflowers. As the trail bent around and continued to descend my favorite view of Almaden Reservoir camp into view. The freshly budding oaks on its bank and a sudden break in the rain (which allowed me to pull out my camera) framed the blue lake perfectly. After taking a few photos though the rain started up again.

Just a few hundred feet past the views of the lake I came upon the Hidalgo Cemetery. A rotting but remarkably boldly painted white picket fence runs around the site which is ornamented by towering Juniper trees (non-native). The rain had broken but through a gap in the trees I could see it sweeping back over the higher mountains again. After I took a few photos I got going so I could try and get off the ridge before a hard rain moved in.

Rain coming down on the Sierra Azul.

Almaden Reservoir.

The going was slower on the way back because the Hidalgo Cemetery Trail has to climb back up a couple hundred feet to gain the top of the ridge. Since the rain was holding off for a time I decided not to head back down the Yellow Kid Trail though and keep to the left up the Castilero trail towards the Rotary Furnace.

The Juniper Row and crumbling white picket fence are all that is left off the cemetery.

The Rotary Furnace is pretty incredible, its the last hulking remain of the mining equipment left in the park. Visits to other mines in the park require some imagination to capture their scale, but not the Rotary Furnace. The huge rusting building is larger than any other in the park, and its location on the ridge surrounds it with some premier views. The perimeter of the building is surrounded by a large chain link fence because the area is littered with scraps of rusted metal, dangerous structures which could fail at any time, and rodents which carry disease. From the safe viewing distance of the trail though the structure is still impressive.

The crumbling Rotary Furnace.

Once I was done at the furnace I decided to hook a right on a small side trail which lead back to the Castilero Trail and eventually back to English Camp. From English Camp I descended the main English-Camp Trail and then the Mine Hill trail enjoying some fantastic views. Having my camera tucked away and the rain slowly beat down on me was a blessing though. I really locked into the spirit of the hike and my brain was free to enjoy nature. I knew the trails well enough I didn’t need to referenced the map or worry about navigation.

I cracked a little grin as I rambled down the steep trail. Only in the last couple hundred feet was my walking meditation ended when the deep bass of a car blasting music in the parking lot cut through the silence. I was happy to be back at the car though and even though I was a little wet, very thirsty (I neglected to bring any water or a snack) and ravenously hungry I headed back home still with a smile on my face.

Gear Review: Columbia Heat Elite Jacket

2011-04-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Stats:
Price: $170
Insulation: Omni-Heat Liner & Synthetic Fill
Weight: 28oz (1.6 lbs)
Waterproof: No
Windproof: Yes

Pros: unbelievably toasty, massive pit-zips, athletic cut, breathable, compresses well, low-bulk, great pockets,

Cons: too warm for high energy activities, not weatherproof, vulnerable to snags, bulky cuffs

The Full Story:

The silver Omni-Heat liner performed about 20% warmer
as advertised.

The Columbia Heat Elite is warm, really, really warm. It's hard to tell if it's the synthetic insulation, or the new Omni-Heat liner but the end result for the Heat Elite is a fairly low-bulk insulation layer which compares well with much bulkier down puffy coats & parkas yet still keeps you warm when wet. Remarkably the biggest concern with this jacket is how quickly it builds up heat only making it a good choice for high energy activities like hiking or snowshoeing when it's biting cold.

The Omni-Heat liner performed as advertised and provide a nice boost of additional warmth. It breathes nicely and actually feels nicer next to the skin than expected. The jacket can get a bit humid but some big 12" pit zips help vent the jacket out and regulate it well. I've been very pleased with how smoothly the zippers run especially because I've found myself fidgeting with the pit zips on this jacket more than any other. (because it heats up, like woah!)

The rubber cuff adjustments are bulky and
the fabric likes to bunch up.

For a Columbia product (which tend to run large) the jacket has a fairly athletic cut, nice and snug without any billowing fabric. It would have been nice to see a little more taken out of the belly of the jacket which is the only place it seems a bit cavernous. For a bigger guy the jacket might be perfect though. The cuffs are slightly disappointing though, the fleece on the arms bunches up in sort of an uncomfortable way and the large rubber cuff adjustments seem bulky.

The Heat Elite seems to be at its best after a wet and cold evening trail run, or back at camp after a chilly hike. I'll wrap myself in the jacket and get toasty fast. In a normal fleece I'd be freezing, in down, i'd just be too sweaty. In fact the Heat Elite has kept me a smidge warmer than my REI Antifreeze puffy down jacket which is comparable in price, but much bulkier and not a good option as a mid-layer. The micro-fiber lined pockets are great too and have a posh feel which is especially nice after a long day on the trail.

The "weather-resistant" Omni-Shield is a bit deceiving because it only covers the top half of the jacket and anything but the very lightest mist is going to sink right in to any of the jacket's fabrics. I pulled my jacket out in an on-and-off light rain and found the fleece on the bottom got wet and heavy while the top simply didn't keep anything out. Additionally I was a bit surprised to find how easily the Omni-Shield lining snagged and tore, just a couple sharp branches left small holes and loose threads in the jacket.

The Heat Elite is most at home as a toasty camp jacket.

At first I also wanted to knock the jacket for it's low pockets which are covered by a hip-belt of a backpack, however because I mostly use the jacket without a backpack on I've never found this to actually be an issue. In those cases I have had a backpack on the Napoleon chest pocket and internal pocket have been sufficient to store a cellphone, compass, or any other small item I might need to dig out and use.

The seam-taped napoleon pocket and interior pocket are sufficient for most needs.

All in all the Heat Elite is a surprising jacket, it's far toastier than it looks, it's much more comfortable than expected, and I was even surprised to see how small the Heat Elite packed down. In fact when everything adds up it's a nice option to replace a cheaper 600-fill down jacket since the weight, warmth, and compressibility seem to be similar while the Heat Elite is more versatile as a mid-layer on super cold days and continues to insulate on wet ones. Always, always, always pair with a strong wicking base layer though because heat, and sweat build up fast.

Note: Columbia provided us with a sample of the Heat Elite for the purposes of this review.

Monday Morning: Do Something Amazing This Year

2011-04-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Settling isn't always a bad thing, buying a Volvo for example instead of a McClaren F1 is probably a smart decision in the long run. A more realistic trade-off might be settling on watching "13 going on 30" (I may or may not be speaking from experience here) with your loved one instead of "Touching the Void". Settling is often about bridging our wildest hopes and reality and is an absolute necessity. It's when we get into trouble that settle for lowered expectations and settle for our own excuses. Dreams are not easy to make happen, but that's exactly why we shouldn't settle for anything less.

It's hard to plan a trip across the John Muir Trail, or the AT, or climb Mt. Everest, or Denali, or Rainier. It's hard to get time off from our responsibilities, hard to organize the logistics, and hard to get up the motivation to make it happen, and learn the skills nescessary to make sure you don't die trying.

My New Goal: Climb Mt. Rainier

If it's your dream though, it's worth it and it's the hard work that makes it worth it. It'a hardly ever the destination we remember, it's the journey. By pushing ourselves physically and mentally, we find our ceiling raised just a little bit each time. For most it takes a lifetime to be able to climb Mt. Everest, but it's within the ability of almost anyone depending on how willing they are to dedicate themselves to the task.

You've got to start somewhere

If your goal is climbing Mt. Everest start by climbing something, anything, take a class over a weekend on mountaineering. If your goal is backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, go out and backpack a local trail. The important thing is to do something towards your goal, taking the first step is always the hardest part and breaking up the big tasks into manageable parts makes the whole thing seem less overwhelming.

Understand it's okay to fail

When I was in college I thought climbing Mt. Whitney would be hardcore. Last year I climbed it and failed but I had a blast doing so and I'm going back this year to try again. When my climbing partner backed out a couple days before we were set to depart it could have derailed the trip. In the end it free'd me of expectations and allowed me to simply have fun taking on a challenge. Suddenly the motivation came to me easily and before I knew it my boots were on the trail.

Don't settle for your own excuses

You have to be honest with yourself to know the difference between settling with something realistic and settling because something is difficult. If your greatest dream is to own a McClaren F1 (Okay, that's a pretty shallow goal) perhaps it's not best to settle and instead concentrate on ways to make the money needed to by a million dollar car. Just because very few people do something does not mean it should not be done.

What are your goals for 2011 and what are you doing to make them happen?

Pssst: You might have noticed this was posted at 12:00am EST, it's something new I'm trying so if you like the new post time (or hate it) feel free to send feedback to chris@backcountrybliss.net

The Love Letter Project (Why I Hate Fitz Cahall)

2011-04-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

Fitz Cahall makes me feel like shit about myself! (That's only the second time I've sworn on this blog)

While I'm posting "tips" and "gear reviews" and touching on other such superficial topics Cahall is exploring the deeper meaning of the activities and places we love. He's answering the powerful "why" questions while I'm stuck on the trivial "how's". He's hitting topics I have neither the wisdom nor the self-confidence to begin to explore and share.

When I listen to his gloriously well produced podcast - The Dirtbag Diaries - I feel inspired (and also shitty about myself). Often by the end I'm pulling up webpages and planning a trip. That, or I'm lacing up my trail runners to go for another training run. Anything to let loose some of the energy it's built up in me.

That's about the point I start to feel less crappy about myself. After all I'm just a dude trying to figure things as I go here (as hiker, climber, person, and a blogger). Fitz knocks me out of my complacency and reminds me it's not okay to settle on being pleased with my trivial postings about gear spreadsheets, packing a backpack and other matters. I'm reminded that there are bigger issues that should be touched on.

Ultimately none of us really care about "how to get a good nights sleep tent camping", that's a means to an end. It allows us to move in the wild more confidently and with more ease, freeing our hearts are to explore the wilderness within instead. If I can infuse a little bit of that into my writing, I'm good.

Now I've buried the lead... Fitz's (and his wife Becca's) Love Letter Project, slated for release on April 12th online and eventually on the big screen at the 5 point film festival, promises to touch at the very heart of what we're all doing in our outdoor pursuits. We're all chasing something bigger, something nobody can express, but we can all feel. Fitz and Becca chase it for 45 days in my beloved Sierra Nevada in the film, and I'll keep chasing it on the trails around here. The difference is Fitz is in tune with it, and perhaps ready to expose it to us all in the Love Letter Project.

Cahall said he's put everything into this project and if we can draw any conclusions using his past work, it shouldn't just be great, it should be inspiring.

I can't wait for April 12th. I really can't.

[How To] Get a Good Night's Sleep Camping

2011-04-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

You headed out into the woods to clear your head and find some relaxation but suddenly every snapping twig, rustling leaf, and wave lapping on shore is keeping you awake. Tossing and turning in your sleeping bag until you can take it no longer. Finally you fall asleep, only to wake 5 minutes later to another *SNAP* outside the tent and repeat the process. Camping Insomnia is one of the most frusterating, least talked about, and most common issues with car camping & backcountry backpacking.

I’m not especially afraid of bears (no more so than I feel like I should be) but for some reason I find myself lying awake at night nervous about every noise.

1. Camp near a waterfall or babbling stream

It’s counter-intuitive but a loud source of white-noise like a stream, waterfall, or waves crashing on the beach is your best counter-measure against little noises like rustling leaves which are the cause of Insomnia. Even camping near a high-traffic mountain road can help you sleep after all most of us sleep with the noise of traffic at our homes every other night of the year.

2. Tuck your ears into a mummybag

Can’t find a source for white noise? You can keep noise out by snuggling deep into the hood of your mummy bag. The bag will dampen most noises and keep you snug as a bug (see top photo). Chances are you’ll be doing this anyway.

3. Overfill your sleeping pad before bed

If it’s not noise keeping you up, sometimes its a rough sleeping pad. Once you have your sleeping pad just where you like it, overfill one or two big breaths. It might feel too bouncy at first but pads deflate a bit in the night especially when it gets really cold in in the long run you’ll be more comfortable. When the pad deflates it isn’t leaking. The air molecules bounce around less and therefore simply exert less force on the pad as the temperature drops causing “flacid pad syndrome” (Not a real thing, I made this up). A couple breaths and an insulated sleeping pad help prevent this.

4. Guy Out your Tent Flaps

A flapping tent does not make effective white-noise, it’s just really obnoxious and loud. Most tents come with guylines (about the thickness of hiking boot shoelaces, so you can use those too in a pinch). The guylines keep the fabric on your rain fly tight and prevent that obnoxious flapping. It’s also going to help keep the wind from ripping the fabric in especially strong gusts.

5. Don’t change your routine

Whatever your bedtime routine is, don’t change it when you camp. Keeping to your usual routine has a subtle and calming psychological effect and makes the place you’re in seem more comfortable and less fearful.

More Quick Tips For a Better Night's Sleep:

Avoid Caffeine Before Bed (even the beloved hot cocoa!).
Use the bathroom before bed.
Camp on Level Ground.
Get a larger tent if you and your partner are bumping into each other in the night.
Arrive at your campsite before dark, and explore the area around it so there is less unknown about it.

Do you have any other helpful tips for a good night's sleep?

Bay Area Wildflower Guide

2011-04-05T12:00:00.001-07:00

April is here, and that means that wildflower season is fast approaching its peak here in the Bay Area. With an abundance of flowers though it can often be difficult to identify what you're seeing on the trail. So over at the Backcountry Bliss Facebook page I've started an album with photos and facts to help identify the plethora of natural gems cropping up in the fields, forests, and trails around the Bay. The first 5 flowers have been posted, with 5 more each day this week.

Readers not located in the SF Bay Area might also be interested in checking out the guide since many wildflowers like the Golden Poppy & Tidytip grow throughout the west. Even those restricted to the Bay often have relatives living throughout the United States.

So if you want to be able to know your common Blue Eyed Grass from an Ithuriel's Spear, check in on the wildflower guide for some help.

You can also check on some of the information I posed last year during Wildflower Week.

Monday Morning: April is...

2011-04-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Warm rain breaking through clear skies...

Muddy Boots...

Fiery Sunsets...

Hillsides covered in wildflowers...

Walks along the coast...

Warm Spring Afternoons...

So. What is April to you?

Point Reyes National Seashore, Palomarin Backpack Loop

2011-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our first day in the south of Point Reyes was all climbing and hiking through thick forest on Bolinas Ridge. On the second we took in the sun on the open coastal trails and an unseasonably warm winter afternoon. We followed the Coast Trail through wildcat camp to Alamere Falls and past the many Ocean Lakes dotting the area finally arriving where we began.

Summary

Difficulty - Moderate
Length - 17.5mi
Crowds - Busy
Fees - Free
Best Season(s) - Summer, Spring, Winter, Fall
Get Directions

Day 2:

Alamere Falls & The Ocean Lakes

Jump to Day 1: Bolinas Ridge to Glen Camp

An obnoxious group near us kept me awake until 1am, somehow beylah managed to sleep through their yelling in the middle of the night but I awoke the next day groggy. Fortunately I had decided to experiment by dragging my heavy moka pot up the trail so I could have fresh espresso in the morning. (Side Note: At 3lbs for the stove top espresso maker, the decision was a good one. I probably couldn't afford the weight on a multi-day sierra trek but for a moderate trip in Point Reyes the weight was well worth it.)

Frost on early blooming Forget-me-Nots.

Beylah hiking down the trail first thing in the morning.

After coffee and breakfast we headed out with the morning fog still lifting. We hiked towards Wildcat Camp, another backpack camp along the coast. The trail did a short climb back up to the trail junction then continuing through the thick forest it slowly started crawling down the ridge. The rising morning sun lit the backs of the trees as it climbed its way up to its afternoon position giving the whole forest a golden glow.

The trail opened up and subsequently began to descend rapidly as we approached Wildcat camp. Through the fog we could see down into the bottom of the basin where the camp was, located in a small field.

Morning light filtering through the pines.

Wildcat camp and ocean breakers through the fog.

Old Mans Beard draped off branches blowing in the fog.

By the time the trail finally leveled off in the camp our toes were thoroughly jammed into the front of our boots. We dumped our packs at the edge of the beach in a shady spot near the creek that ran through camp.

Seagull flying over breakers on Wildcat Beach.

We lightly walked across the beach hiking roughly a mile up to Alamere Falls through the sand. The falls can also be reached from the top via the coast trail but we wanted to see it from the bottom where the water splashes down into the sand. Several groups hiked past us as we worked our way up the beach but by the time we reached the falls we had it just about to ourselves. With a massive group coming up behind us though (probably 50 people) we cleared out after snapping a few photos and enjoying the scenery for only about 10 minutes.

Alamere Falls

Beylah holding up a heart shaped rock.

Hiking through the sand took its toll on us. The sun was glaring down on us as well and we were overheating in our thermal base layers on the 70 degree January afternoon. We wolfed down a package of smoked salmon (which was delicious!) and a bag of trail mix while guzzling water.

After the exhausting Alamere detour we shoulded our packs and started up the coast trail. The trail climbed up a small hill and we forked off onto the Ocean Lakes trail gaining a few hundred feet to a small overlook which offered the best view we’ve found in Point Reyes. We relaxed for a few minutes before snaking our way down the hill again. We passed the first lake crawling over the ungulating terrain.

The view up the coast from the Ocean Lakes Trail overlook.

Mile after mile passed as we worked our way up the coast. We passed lake after lake and although they were all very interesting the tall grasses around most of them blocked any great views from the bank.

I was hiking faster than Beylah and was 20 seconds or so ahead of her when a Coyote suddenly popped out of the bushes about 20 feet from where I was paused. Both of us stopped dead in our tracks. We made eye contact for a second or two as we both processed the situation then before I had formulated my response he took off up the trail. Bey turned the corner a few seconds later once the trail was clear.

We kept moving on over the basically level terrain as we approached the last junction passing several small more small lakes. These last few, although the smallest were my favorites. Perhaps it was the afternoon light and the long shadows but the last lake in particular had an enchanting quality to it. We sat for a few minutes, resting our now pretty weary legs and basking sun.

Twin Pines near the last of the lakes.

Beylah waiting patiently by the last lake while I take photos.

We continued on down the last leg of the hike, back over the terrain we began the hike on the previous day. We stopped to enjoy some of the first wildflowers of the season, the occasional poppy and iris dotted the trail.

Looking back over the landscape on the final mile of trail.

Finally we cruised through the eucalyptus grove and heard the honk of a car horn in the parking lot. It was a relief to get off the now crowded trail and back to the car. Beylah lead us as we stretched after the hike loosning up our calves, shoulders, and sore backs. A couple hours later and we were back home, refreshed and excited for the work week ahead.

Jump to Day 1: Bolinas Ridge to Glen Camp

Point Reyes National Seashore, Palomarin Backpack Loop

2011-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Point Reyes has many faces; the wind swept Tomales Point, the foggy forests of Mt. Wittenburg, and the steep rock and strata around Arch Rock, even the rolling hills of the Olema Valley. It’s hard to say which is best, but in the discussion will always be the rugged south mountains and lakes between Wildcat Camp and Palomarin. The low, dry brush (even in the winter) in this Mediterranean landscape exposes awesome views of the coastline.

Summary

Difficulty - Moderate
Length - 17.5mi
Crowds - Busy
Fees - Free
Best Season(s) - Summer, Spring, Winter, Fall
Get Directions

Day 1:

Bolinas Ridge to Glen Camp

Jump to Day 2: Alamere Falls & The Ocean Lakes

We got a late start to the day after a breakfast of eggs and toast we loaded up the car and headed out to the Bear Valley Visitors Center to collect our permits. We encountered the usual SF traffic on 19th Ave and had to detour for gas in Point Reyes Station delaying us further. By the time we picked up our permit at Bear Valley and drove down the dirt road to the Palomarin trail head it was nearly 1pm.

After unloading the car we quickly shouldered our packs and we were off up the trail through some impressive eucalyptus groves. The trail weaved in and out of some drainage gullys before arriving at Abalone Point about a mile down the trail where we first made adjustments to our packs and surveyed the landscape while reviewing the map and deciding our course for the day.

A Douglas Iris blooming in February on the Coast Trail.

After slowly making our way up small rocky rise in the trail the we made a right on the Lake Ranch Trail and began rapidly climbing Bolinas Ridge. The first half mile was open and exposed and on a remarkably warm winter afternoon we worked up a little sweat until the trail ducked under the trees and we had a chance to cool off. I watched the altimeter on my watch go up and up until it had indicated we had climbed almost 1000ft at which point we finally felt the trail kick back at the top of the ridge and start to swing left.

Small Pond off the Lake Ranch Trail.

Once the majority of the climbing was out of the way we picked up our pace and powered our way along the ridge stopping periodically for water breaks and photos at small ponds and marshes and to capture the beautiful light pouring in through the trees. Just past the half-way point we switched trails and picked up the Ridge Trail.

Looking up at the forest canopy from the Ridge Trail.

A nice breeze ran consistently off the coast and through the forest keeping us cool but not cold. As the day wore on, and our legs started to get tired. As we approached Firtop, the high point of the ridge, the trail ducked down and veered away. The sun became obscured as we followed the trail into a small gully filled with the sound of an unseen babbling brook.

Old Mans Beard hanging off a pine tree on the Ridge Trail.

Navigating the maze of trails around Glen Camp can sometimes be frustrating we first hooked up with the Greenpicker trail keeping to the left. After which we hung a right on the Glen Loop (not to be confused with the Glen Trail) and descended the last few hundred feet into camp on our tired legs, seriously out of practice after a long winter away from much hiking.

We found 2-3 groups already with their sites established around us and we waved to them as we hunted up the hill for our site. At the top of the campground sat our site, number 5. We were surprised at how much energy we had after lugging heavy packs over almost 9 miles and at least 1,000ft.

Beylah unlacing her boots at the tent after a long day on the trail.

With the tent set up we wolfed down our dinner and found ourselves tucked into our sleeping bags as the sun set. We played games for a couple hours in the tent then read for awhile before falling asleep.

Our next day had most of the features of the hike that I was excited about, Alamere falls, the ocean lakes, the open coastal views.

Jump to Day 2: Alamere Falls & The Ocean Lakes

Monday Morning: C.Y.A.

2011-03-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

In an effort to get out and try some new snow sports I decided to catch a class Last Month on Winter Backcountry Travel at our local REI in Mountain View. We had no idea we were in for a 3 hour lecture which strictly focused on the ways in which we would die if we headed more than 10 feet away from our car. Beylah emerged from the class feeling like snow equals death. Even I felt my enthusiasm to try new things waining.

A climber, not having any fun on Mt. Whitney.

It's funny that our instructor who had many years of accumulated knowledge from SAR (Search and Rescue) Teams to a winter trans-sierra expedition would be so negative about the wild. He greeted us and seemed friendly upon arrival and seemed like a positive person, yet his lecture was amazingly negative.

The meat of our course was avalanche awareness (which needs to be learned in the field anyway, not a classroom) and became what essentially I could have gotten out of reading “Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills” for 3 or 4 hours on the couch, only I wouldn't need to be wearing pants (I did wear pants to the class, I'm not happy about it either).

There was no enthusiasm at all. Maybe it’s because with SAR he’s rescued too many stupid people, I don’t know. But for a man who clearly loved the outdoors all he shared with us were stories of frozen bodies he’d found and we got the distinct impression that winter in the mountains is neither beautiful nor pleasant, but cold, unforgiving, and a maelstrom of danger.

CYA, or “cover your ass”, was the mind-set our instructor had. It's a disease many suffer from. It's understanable, nobody wants to be on the hook for the demise of anoher human being but if the result is all the fun and excitement being sucked out of a topic it hardly seems worth it.

I don’t want to give the impression that I think we should ignore the potential perils of avalanches, white-outs, and winter storms. Instead think of those as challenges or obstacles on the road to the exploration of the wild. Mention those challenges in equal parts the reward of being the only group for a hundred miles, or going days without hearing another voice, car engine, or sign of civilization.

There is much to share, and much to love about the wild. Snow does not equal death, and if all we try to do is cover our asses when describing what we do, we fail. Miserably.

Found Friday: March 25th, 2011

2011-03-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile hasn't it? While rain beats the Bay Area to a pulp it's a good time to catch up. We've got some inspiration, some news, as well as the usual trip reports and gear review roundup.

Inspiration

23 Feet Trailer from Allie Bombach on Vimeo.

P.S. You can donate to the project.

Mid Wintahhhh 2011 from Andrew Whiteford on Vimeo.

News & Events

Access to Yosemite has been spotty while they get slammed with snow. The Latest update.
GearJunkie gave us the heads up that Adidas plans to enter the US Outdoors market.
Sculpture Art comes to Point Reyes.

Trip Reports

My Life Outdoors took trip up to Troll Mountain Summit in Big Bend NP.
Spring Theater a sort of trip report from Imagine Childhood
John got up to his knees in snow postholing on Mt. Charleston outside Las Vegas.

Gear

Section Hiker reviewed the Forty Below Down Booties, toasty foot warming goodness.
John from Gear Tested gave us the rundown on the newest incarnation of Cloudveil Koven.
Outdoors Gear TV takes us through the features and flaws of the Gregory Baltro 70.
Section Hiker reviewed a tent I've long had my eye on, the epic light Brooks-Range Rocket Tent.
Brian tests out the very light weight Mechanix Wear Fastfit Gloves.
Hike A Lot reviewed the popular MSR Pocket Rocket stove.

Misc.

The Tao of Pow - Learning to Love Winter by the High Country News
Peter from East/West Hike (formerly ADKinLA) contemplates how extreme is extreme?

Want your Video or Blog featured here? Shoot me an email at chris@backcountrybliss.net

El Corte de Madera, Tafoni Trail

2011-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

El Corte de Madera is a hub for mountain bikers, it’s wet, thickly wooded, and has plenty of steep terrain. For hikers this can be a nuisance because El Corte Madera happens to be a gorgeous little park with old growth redwoods, and even a rare Tafoni rock formation. The trick for hikers if you’re not interested in being buzzed by mountain bikers is to visit on a rainy day.

Summary

Difficulty - Easy/Moderate
Length - 5.2 Miles
Crowds - Busy
Fees - Free
Best Season(s) - Summer, Spring, Winter, Fall
Getting There:
- From 280 take Sand Hill Road West to Woodside
- Turn Right on to Portola Road
- Make a crazy Left turn on to Hwy 84/La Honda Rd (it’s almost a complete u-turn).
- Turn right on to Skyline Blvd.
- Pull off into the first small dirty parking lot for the park.

Beylah and I actually did this hike twice within the last three months. Our first trip was pleasant because we had the park to ourselves, this may have had something to do with the fact that it was pouring buckets of rain on us. The rain was coming in sideways through the trees at times and was falling so hard that visibility was an issue (note: my REI Taku jacket held up very well against the rain, thanks REI! light hiking pants, not so much) We might not have had to repeat the hike though had I at least remembered to bring a memory card along with my camera. As I stopped to take the first photo of the trip I first noticed the blinking “NO CF CARD” message inside my viewfinder and let out a “Arrrraghhh!!” loud enough to frighten Beylah. I got over that quickly enough though.

I made not sure to repeat my mistake on the second visit and we were fortunate enough to get some nice weather on our reprise of the hike. The finer weather unfortunately brought out the crowds of Mountain Bikers though who zipped by us all day. We had a late start so I made sure to hurry us along on this trip a bit. From the parking lot we kept right taking the Methuselah trail down into a small ravine with a cute little babbling brook surrounded by redwood groves.

Young Redwoods near the trailhead.

Thin thunked, straight redwoods indicate second growth after the virgin forest was cut down.

The trail rises back up from that point climbing back up 200 feet through a mixed forest until it reaches the Manzanita trail. We turned right on the Manzanita trail heading over a short stretch of wide open trail, perhaps only a few hundred feet before reaching the Fir trail. The hike leveled off for the next mile or so as we proceeded along the fir trail towards the Vista Point.

The Vista Point really anything special, you can see out to the ocean and catch some small glimpses of the rolling green coastal hills. The hill is heavily wooded though so the views are only through small windows in the trees, not sweeping panoramas. It is worth the short detour though and is a good spot to have some water and a snack.

View of the Pacific Ocean from the Vista Point.

After leaving the Vista Point we rejoined the Fir trail continuing along in the same direction we were going until reaching the junction with the Resolution Trail. The trail descends quickly dropping 400 feet in about a mile. Mountain Bikers raced past us on the single track trail. We took our time though crossing this more rugged, rocky, and open part of the park.

Moss growing on an Oak Tree.

After another trail junction we kept right and joined the El Corte de Madera Creek Trail the trail more or less evens out hugging the contours of a large ravine studded with old redwoods. This is my favorite spot on the trail surpassing any of the highlights marked on the map. The ground is constantly littered with scraps of redwood bark, cones, and needles turning it an orange-red to match the giant trees which grow in solitude here as a pure redwood grove. The height of these old trees makes this part of the forest dark and lush. A creek runs right through the grove on it’s way down hill.

A quiet redwood grove tucked in a creek bed.

Once through the grove we began climbing again up after making a right on to the Tafoni Trail. Several Mountain Bikers past us, calling back to a second group trailing behind them “Hikers!” with such disdain, almost as if it was a slur. A few more tomato colored cyclists past us as they huffed and puffed uphill with us.

A short side trail leads to the sandstone formation which is the highlight of this hike. The very distinctive honeycomb texture the Tafoni formation has is found in few other places in the world. Most typically though near oceans where salt weathering can break down the rock (Salt Point State Park up in northern California is another example of it). It’s fun to imagine what the first person who encountered this rock might have thought of it. It’s not hard to imagine such a thing being divinely inspired.

Tafoni formations only exist in a few places in the world.

The Honeycomb shape is most likley from salt erosion when the Santa Cruz mountains were once under the ocean.

While absorbing the rock we wolfed down a bag of trail mix despite intending to leave some, apparently our hike had worked up our appetite. At this point though the forest was getting noticeably darker as sunset approached. With nearly two miles to go we hurried away from the Sandstone and rejoined the main trail for a very short stretch before rejoining the Fir trail.

The Tafoni Trail.

This time we headed straight through the junction away from the Vista Point on the Fir Trail then turned right joined the Manzanita trail again for only a few hundred feet before hooking Left down the Methusalah trail. We descended up the same slope we climbed before before reaching the redwood ravine near the start of the trail around sunset. As darkness crept into the forest we climbed up the last leg, on the final uphill push uphill we caught the noise of Skyline Blvd again and soon enough we could see the cars in the parking lot. We kicked off our boots, cozied up in some fleece and hustled back home after a rewarding dayhike.