Rick Mc

May 20, 2011May 18, 2011

Castle Rock Trail, California

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

After finishing the Cougar Crest Trail, California, I decided to hang around Big Bear.

On the advice of a couple of PCT thru hikers, I checked into the hostel. Sarge greeted me warmly, wondering if I qualified for special PCT hiker rates.

I told him, “Not until next year.”

After checking in I headed for the other essential local hike, Castle Rock.

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 700 ft

You’ve got to find a way to get up there:

If you only have one hour to spend in Big Bear, this is the trail for you. It is actually less than 1.5 miles, but you may want to explore around the area just a bit. You get inspiringly incredible views of Big Bear Lake from the vantage point on top of Castle Rock.

The climb isn’t for the faint of heart though, and acrophobics should steer clear. The trail itself is very steep, and you gain 600′ in about half a mile. However, it is so short, it can’t be called anything but easy. To get to the top, you must scramble, and there isn’t an “easy” route up …

Local Hikes

Here’s the vista from the top.

more photos

… It snowed that night and next morning. Some sort of record cold spell for May 17th.

I enjoyed Castle Rock more than Cougar Crest. The final scramble is FUN.

May 18, 2011May 19, 2011

Hiking Kananaskis, Alberta CA

Guest post via Greg Lynch of Scenic Travel Canada:

Hiking in Kananaskis (Alberta, Canada)

Tucked in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, are a collection of provincial parks that few international hikers ever experience. Kananaskis Country is an uncrowded wilderness area one hour west of Calgary, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. Adventure-seekers looking for a lesser known mountain paradise can get their high-altitude thrills in Alberta’s unspoiled backyard.

Millions of visitors unwittingly pass K-Country on their way to the more popular Banff National Park says Greg Lynch, an avid hiker & adventure seeker with Scenic Travel Canada. Outdoor-lovers can hike, bike, kayak and canoe over hundreds of miles in undeveloped territory in the Front Range.î

There are plenty of things to do in Kananaskis Country, Alberta including:

Take a road trip from Calgary on the highest paved highway in Canada. Highway 40 is open from June 15 to December 1 and winds through the pristine wilderness along the Highwood Pass. From your vehicle, youíll get mile panoramic views of snowy peaks and endless valleys.

In spring, prior to the opening of Highway 40 to traffic, many cyclists enjoy the open road all to themselves as they ride 95 kilometers from end-to-end. The best time to go is one month prior to opening (June 15). Any earlier, the road is still covered with snow.

Take a mountain bike excursion to the Alberta-BC border. Carnarvon Lake is a small turquoise lake along the Continental Divide. You’ll follow an old logging road, ford rivers, scale a rock-wall and even take a chilly dip in the cold, colourful water.

Saunter around Upper & Lower Kananaskis Lake and enjoy a classic Canadian mountain scene. A small boat launch is available for anglers, kayakers & canoeists. Hiking trails wind around the shore and deep into the surrounding canyons. You may recognize this picturesque location from movies such as X-Men & Brokeback Mountain.

Slow down and enjoy a picnic at one of the many family recreation sites such as the Mount Lorette Picnic area. The green-water ponds are stocked with fish to introduce little anglers to the solitude & thrill of fishing.

Take a bike tour around the only hotel in the area, which hosted the G8 summit meeting of world leaders in 2003. Paved trails wind through thick forests and along the immaculate Kananaskis River.

There are lots of mountain adventures for thrill-seekers just outside of Calgary and Banff, Alberta.. On your next trip to the Canadian Rockies, head off the beaten path and enjoy the undeveloped and wild places of Kananaskis Country.

I’m happy to give K Country this shout out. I post too infrequently on my own backyard. (I live less than an hour away in Calgary.)

… Brokeback Mountain and the G8 Summit site are unlikely tourist attractions, I’ll admit.

One of my favourite EASY cycling adventures, by the way, is to start at high Highwood Pass. And coast on down into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

May 18, 2011

Cougar Crest Trail, California

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Visiting Big Bear, California for the first time, I made the obligatory hike up from the Discovery Center.

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1500 ft

… Breathtaking views (and a climb requiring breath to be taken!!) are “de rigeur” along the Cougar Crest Trail, located north of Big Bear Lake.

The trail, well-marked and generally in good condition, continues two miles (mostly north) until reaching a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail …

On a clear day, the Mojave Desert can be seen in the distance, and the views of San Gorgonio, Holcomb Valley, and (of course) Big Bear Lake are absolutely awesome. …

Local Hikes

When I reached the PCT trail, I met a couple of hikers confused on how to continue up to Bertha Peak.

EveryTrail map and photos.

I posted a few more photos taken with an iPod Touch.

May 13, 2011May 18, 2011

Suicide Rock, Idyllwild CA

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

In lovely Idyllwild, California, I inquired at the Ranger Station for the best hike in the area.

They recommended Suicide Rock, Deer Springs Trailhead … just a mile away.

6.5 miles round trip
2000 ft elevation gain

Lovely. A relatively easy day hike.

I did see one snake of indeterminate make and model. (A hiker told me that he had seen a Rattler about a year earlier on this same trail.)

more photos

Check Local Hikes for more information.

You can continue to the summit of San Jacinto Peak from that same trailhead.

What is this, by the way?

May 12, 2011May 12, 2011

mildew and tents

1. Grab a bottle of McNett Mirazyme.

Mix about a half-ounce into a gallon of water and use a nylon-bristled vegetable brush to scrub the gross spots. (If mildew plagues your whole tent, dissolve a full ounce of Mirazyme into a bathtub and scrub down the whole thing.

2. Set the tent up outside in the shade to let it dry.

3. Now mix 1 cup concentrated lemon juice (the type that comes in those little plastic lemons), 1 cup of table salt, and a gallon of hot water. Use a sponge to bathe the whole tent. Then let it dry thoroughly before packing.

Backpacker

May 11, 2011May 10, 2011

Pacific Crest Trail Angel

I happened upon this scene while driving near Idyllwild, California.

It’s a rest stop for PCT hikers.

Here’s “Dr. Sole“, Trail Angel volunteer at the time. He offers foot repair, much needed by hikers still at the very start of the 2,663 mi (4,286 km) long PCT.

more photos

It was a lot of fun chatting with the thru hikers. Actually, they’re just regular folks. You need not be some super hiker to try the PCT.

I’m quite inspired to do at least the first half of the PCT, one day. … Of course I’ll need the technology to be able to get online daily. 🙂

May 10, 2011

Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off

Here’s PCT thru hiker Joshua Pinedo.

And here’s one of his photos of the 2011 Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off. (ADZPCTKO)

Looks like FUN.

What’s the date of ADZPCTKO 2012?

I’m contemplating putting it on my personal calendar. And go for the first couple of weeks, just to see how much I enjoy the experience.

Josh has already hiked the Appalachian Trail. He told me that AT Trail Days in Damascus, VA. (May 13-15th this year) is a drunken party.

PCT Kick Off is very serious, in contrast.

May 9, 2011May 6, 2011

climbing Mt Baldy, Los Angeles

trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

Mount San Antonio, commonly known as Old Baldy or Mt Baldy, at 10,068 ft (3,069 m), is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the highest point in Los Angeles County. …

Hiking trails access the summit from three sides of the mountain and one route is assisted on summer weekends by the availability of a running ski-area chair lift …

I checked Modern Hiker for details:

– Distance: 10.33 miles
– Elevation Gain: 3950 feet

… Most of the trails are very clearly marked and easy to follow. There are a few places where you might get off the beaten path, but generally you can find your way back with ease. The Devil’s Backbone Trail has a few dangerous spots that deserve extra attention. Do not attempt this trail when there is ice or snow present. A single slip on the Backbone when it’s icy could spell serious trouble …

I was concerned about snow on May 5th, 2011. People have died here.

I was ready to switch to a safer trail, if advised to do so at the Visitor’s Center. … Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the office is currently closed Tue/Wed/Thur. (I arrived on a Thursday. Merde.)

… I decided to climb as high as possible, turning back if unsafe.

The most popular trailhead for those not CHEATING by taking the lift is Manker Flats, Antonio Falls road. It’s relatively easy to get up to Mt. Baldy Ski Resort, (not to be confused with the one in Canada).

The weather was perfect. Very little wind.

The highlight for me, though, were the ridge walk sections. Happily, all clear of snow.

Conditions were safe. I found myself on the summit in 3hrs.

I’m not saying there was no snow. Rather that there was almost no snow in any position of exposure.

I stashed a Summit Stone at 10,064 feet. (PHOTO)

This hike is highly recommended. I loved it.

more photos

A much better trip report than mine is posted on Modern Hiker. 🙂

May 7, 2011May 4, 2011

Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau

Buzz recommends this guidebook, though it’s not been revised since 1999. The author’s been called controversial.

This is a canyon hiking guide to the Colorado Plateau, which covers the southeastern half of Utah, the northern half of Arizona, the western 1/5 of Colorado, and a small part of NW New Mexico. …

Amazon

Michael R. Kelsey

… on June 9, 1970 he put a pack on his back and started traveling. Since then he has seen 223 countries, republics, islands, or island groups. When not traveling the world he is seeking out and exploring the canyon countries of the Southwest’s Colorado Plateau. All his wanderings have resulted in a very successful series of 16 self-published books. …

Michael R. Kelsey

May 6, 2011May 2, 2011

Chilkoot Trail eGuide

The Chilkoot Trail, which begins on tidewater in Alaska and climbs up over mountains in British Columbia, presents a unique backpacking opportunity, as this is a trail rich with history.

It was the main trail used in the famous Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1800′s, one of the biggest rushes the world has ever seen.

An international crowd of literally tens of thousands, fueled by dreams of riches, used the Chilkoot Trail to chase the gold in the Yukon. Most suffered incredible hardship, many never even made it and only a few got rich. Today on the trail you’ll find plenty of reminders of their epic journey.