If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the plants and animals around you but you didn’t have someone along for your hike or walk to ask, you’ll want to download iNaturalist. The free app is available for both iOS devices and Android devices. In case you’ve attended one of my hiking presentations — or […]

The post How to Use iNaturalist to Become a Backyard Ranger appeared first on Modern Hiker.

It’s been more than a month since the first statewide stay-at-home orders were issued. If your sense of time is as warped as mine has been over the past few weeks, it’s worth remembering that when those issues were ordered, initially going outside for hikes was considered a good thing. It’s good physical exercise — […]

The post Trails Begin To Open From COVID Closures appeared first on Modern Hiker.

Well … not literally P-22. Beth Pratt, the California Regional Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation and driving force behind the #SaveLACougars campaign (as well as P-22’s very entertaining social media presence) is launching a series of live conversations / interviews and question and answer sessions with folks involved in the outdoors around Southern California. […]

The post P-22 is Streaming Live on Facebook appeared first on Modern Hiker.

Have you heard the news? We’ve got TWO brand new Modern Hiker shirts available. But here’s the catch: they’re only around for a LIMITED TIME. Here’s the deal — with all the closures and outdoor and group restrictions that have been rolled out over the past few weeks, I’ve had to say goodbye to a […]

The post Two Limited Edition Modern Hiker Shirts For Sale appeared first on Modern Hiker.

At first, when officials declared outdoor activities like hiking safe from the bans and closures closing the circles of our lives, it was a reason to celebrate. If we couldn’t get to work, or if we wanted to take our minds off the impromptu doomsday preppers walking out of grocery stores with carts full of […]

The post Remember This Feeling appeared first on Modern Hiker.

If you’re feeling cooped up and stir crazy from social distancing or having to stay indoors due to coronavirus quarantining, there’s good news. First — you’re doing the right thing; Second — hiking can be a terrific way to keep yourself physically active while gyms are closed. And hiking is also one of the best […]

The post Your Guide to Hiking During Quarantine appeared first on Modern Hiker.

The Griffith Park Aerial Tramway (aka the Griffith Park Gondola) is moving forward on its feasibility study process, and new images of the potential tramway routes made it to the internet this week.  The Facebook Page for Amir’s Garden posted an update with information from one of their readers named George Grace. Grace compiled some information […]

The post Griffith Park Aerial Tramway Routes Revealed appeared first on Modern Hiker.

In my years of hiking in Southern California, I have learned a tremendous amount of respect for the terrain and its native plants — especially the sage scrub and chaparral plant communities. Back in 2018 when the Woolsey Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains, I was heading out of town the day the fire […]

The post Plants Bounce Back in the Woolsey Fire Burn Area appeared first on Modern Hiker.

Here’s a tip: If you are hankering to visit Death Valley this year, go soon. Savvy hikers are wise to explore the lower 48’s largest national park (3.37 million acres, 1.1 million larger than Yellowstone) while weather conditions are benign. February’s average daily high temperature is a hospitable 73°F (23°C). Yet by May, the average […]

The post Reasons to Visit Death Valley in the Spring appeared first on Modern Hiker.

The towering Valley Oak at Paramount Ranch known to some as the “Witness Tree” has, unfortunately, succumbed to damage from the 2018 Woolsey Fire. National Park Service officials have invited the public to bid farewell this Saturday, February 8th, from 2 to 4PM. The enormous native oak tree has been a part of Paramount Ranch […]

The post Say Goodbye to the Witness Tree at Paramount Ranch appeared first on Modern Hiker.