Bee’s Backpacking Checklist

I’ve been backpacking solo for over 5 years now and while I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, I have certainly learned a few things along the way and my backpacking checklist has changed as a reflection of the things I’ve learned. I’m always striving to lighten my pack while still having everything I need to […]

Hiking Rim to Rim across the Grand Canyon, 30 miles 3 days 2 nights

My friend Taylor and I decided to hike the Rim to Rim trail across the Grand Canyon during the Thanksgiving holiday this year. We are both teachers making it the perfect time to squeeze in an adventure, and just in time before its too late in the season. Overall we had an amazing time with […]

Bryce Canyon National Park

My family and I spent one full day in Bryce Canyon National Park, here’s how it went! Itinerary: Thursday Friday Trail Journal: Bryce Canyon National Park October 28, 2022 I flew into the Cedar City Airport on Thursday evening, just before sunset. My parents and sister picked me up in a rental car and we […]

Olympic National Park

Day One: Lake Quinault I flew into Seattle last night and stayed in a hotel near the airport. After breakfast this morning I started driving towards the Olympic Peninsula. The drive got increasingly scenic with tall pine trees lining the highway, packed together and stretching tall, and the highway was lined with pops of color […]

Sespe Wilderness and Willett Hot Spring

March 2022 https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/sespe-river-trail-to-willett-hot-springs Itinerary: Park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead Hike 11 miles to Willett Hot Spring Hike 6.5 mi back and dispersed camp Hike 4.5 mi back to my car Los Padres National Forest and Sespe Wilderness The beautiful thing about a National Forest is that you can usually camp anywhere you want! This […]

Mount San Jacinto

San Jacinto Peak Loop, 20 miles 5,300ft elevation gain https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/san-jacinto-peak-loop-trail I drove up to the small mountain town of Idyllwild to pick up my permit and find the campground where I will be spending the night. At the entrance to the campground, I found the ranger station. There, I secured my permit and my reservation […]

Trans Catalina Trail

2.5 days, 40 miles I found out about the Trans Catalina Trail about a year ago, shortly after I moved out to San Diego. I had been doing some research on trails in the area and found this 40-mile thru-hike of an island off the coast of LA. I saw photos and videos of beautiful […]

Rae Lakes Loop

After hiking the John Muir Trail, I have been yearning to return to those magical Sierra Nevada Mountains. To swim in the alpine lakes, climb up and over mountain passes, and take in the unbelievable beauty of Mother Nature. The Sierras have beauty like I have never seen before, they are nothing short of absolute […]

SoCal National Park Road Trip

Come with me on my SoCal National Park Road Trip! On this trip I visited: Joshua Tree National Park Mojave Desert National Park Death Valley National Park Joshua Tree National Park I’ve been to Joshua Tree several times now and it is a magical place. It’s so cool to drive through a desert surrounded by […]

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Since moving to San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has quickly become my favorite hiking and camping destination. Personally, I like it even better than Joshua Tree and Mojave national parks. Anza-Borrego is especially great if you have a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle since there are so many OHV trails in this park. […]