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hike Idaho’s Centennial Trail

… Idaho Centennial Trail (ICT) is a scenic trail through Idaho. It winds its way through various ecosystems from high desert canyonlands in southern Idaho to wet mountain forests in Northern Idaho. ICT travelers will cross many mountains, streams and rivers in between. …

Depending on exact route, it could be anywhere from 900-1200mi long.

click for more maps
click for more maps

… The ICT was designated as the official state trail during Idaho’s Centennial year in 1990 by the Lasting Legacy Committee of the Idaho Centennial Commission. Since then the number of hikers completing the trail have remained low. …

On recommendation from Andy Howell, I listened to an audiocast on Practical Backpacking, an interview with Brian Frankle of ULA Packs. Brian described his own ICT from North to South.

He was happy to see few people on the Trail.

… In 1998 Stephen Stuebner’s Idaho Centennial Trail Guidebook was published. This guidebook, although well written is considered to be out of date by the Idaho Centennial Trail coordinator, Leo Hennessey. …

Idaho’s Centennial Trail is a work in progress. There are very few trail markings in the middle of the State. Route finding is essential.

Wikipedia – Idaho Centennial Trail

official website – Idaho’s Centennial Trail

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longest wilderness hike in the lower 48

Surely you must have heard of the Cougar Traverse:

• Location: Pasayten Wilderness of northern Washington

• Length: 242 miles

• Best season: Mid-July to mid-October

• Features: The longest wilderness route in the lower 48 states. A loop. No road crossings, no resupply, no backtracking.

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Why haven’t I heard of it?

… Ah. Here’s why:

trekking-Washington-cover… In fact this isn’t an official trail in any sense. Mike and Kristy Woodmansee created it and dropped it into their 2003 book “Trekking Washington” as a long challenge, far from anywhere else. Their difficulty rating is “toughest”, as it would be if done in the recommended 10 days. …

The Ultralighter – Occasional Trails: The Cougar Traverse

Amazon – Trekking Washington

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hike Kearsarge Pass, Onion Valley, California

The 4.0-mile trail to 11,760-foot Kearsarge Pass switchbacks up a sunny slope towards its namesake mountain pass, providing access to a sparkling High Sierra lake basin, the John Muir Wilderness, and the dramatic backcountry mountain scenery of Kings Canyon National Park—superb destinations for any day hiker.

Begin your hike at the trailhead located at the end of Onion Valley Road (Market Street in town), a 13-mile drive from the town of Independence, California—starting at an elevation of 9,189 feet, you might already feel breathless …

Natural Born Hikers

Here’s the winding road that gets you up to over 9000ft.

trailhead

Quickly you reach that wonderful stoney Sierra landscape. I saw far more fishermen than hikers. Dogs are allowed as far as the Pass.

Sierra-waterfall

Rain threatened.

rain-clouds-over-the-mountain

But it just seemed to not be able to get over the mountains.

Sadly, I never made it to the “Pass” itself at 11,823ft. The snow was still heaped close to the top.

snow-on-the-trail

See all my photos from this half day hike.

Onion Valley was named one of the 10 best hikes in the Eastern Sierra.

But famed local author R. J. Secor pooh-poohed this hike, I read. He disparages it as over popular.

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that’s not Death Valley …

It was cool and cloudy in the Eastern Sierra today.

Nice.

I did several short hikes in the mountains today as a warm-up for Death Valley.

Rick McCharles with Mt Whitney in the background
Rick McCharles with Mt Whitney in the background

I’m staying tonight at the excellent new hostel in Lone Pine.

Early Sunday morning I’ll start Telescope Peak in Death Valley. (14mi return)

I’ll tent one night high up where it’s cooler.

Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet is the highest point in Death Valley National Park. The elevation gain from the valley floor to the summit is over 11,300 feet. This extreme elevation change is exceeded in the United States by Mt. Rainier at 11,600 feet, Mt. Fairweather in Glacier Bay National Park at 15,300 feet, and Mt. McKinley’s north slope at 17,000 feet.

Death Valley National Park Hiking Page

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where to hike in Death Valley?

Perhaps Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes?

dunes

Gary Hayes – larger version

Death Valley unfortunately lived up to its name earlier this week, when an Ohio hiker failed to return from a day trip in the park.

On Tuesday morning, May 19, employees at Death Valley National Park received a report of an overdue hiker in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stove Pipe Wells Village. The dunes in that area rise nearly 100 feet above the surrounding desert. …

National Parks Traveler

I’ll be careful.

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best Bay Area trails

From Tom Mangan of Two-Heel Drive:

Best of the best in Bay Area trails:

  • Berry Creek Falls Loop, Big Basin Redwoods State Park. …

  • Dipsea Trail to Matt Davis Trail from Stinson Beach, Mount Tamalpais State Park. …

  • Three Peaks, Mount Diablo State Park. …

  • High Peaks Trail, Pinnacles National Monument. Not exactly Bay Area, …

  • Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore. …

  • Angel Island State Park. …

  • Point Lobos State Preserve, south of Monterey. …

    • These are my favorite hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve done them all a few times. Links at the end of each item go to guide books and professionally produced maps available at Amazon.com and its partner retailers. …

    Best of the best in Bay Area trails

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    Pinnacles National Monument trek – trip report

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    review – Trekking in the Everest Region

    Caroline from Trailblazer sent me a review copy of the latest edition of their Everest trekking guide. (Published March, 2009)

    I read it on high while tenting on Mount Lady MacDonald.

    Trekking in the Everest Region

    Amazon – Trekking in the Everest Region, 5th

    For any hiker wanting to plan a Chomolungma adventure, there is no better resource.

    Expedition, Teahouse or Independent?

    Route options depending on when you go. And how long you can stay in Nepal.

    Terrific maps.

    I have no complaints at all. This is an excellent guide.

    The author Jamie McGuinness is expert, one of the most experienced trek leaders in the country. Based in Kathmandu, Nepal, he manages a trekking and climbing company. And has summitted Everest three times.

    The main alternative, Trekking in Nepal by Stephen Bezruchka, has not been updated since 1997.

    My next trip to Nepal will be to the Everest region. I’ll teahouse trek independently, carrying a very light pack, deciding on my exact route once there.

    And I’ll be using the Trailblazer Guide.

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    GU Energy Chomps – like gummy bears

    … I’ll be sure to pack some GU for the run and mtb leg, as well as some of GU’s new Chomps, which are like gummy bears, but with lots of calories as we’ll need. …

    Gear Junkie – Athlete Interview: Mike Kloser

    GU-Chomps

    GU Chomps utilize GU Energy Gel’s proven blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants and electrolytes
    in a chewable form. …

    GU Energy