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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

JMT // Day 14

Wallace Creek -> Mt. Whitney -> Whitney Portal Today is the day!! We are summiting Mt. Whitney! What a surreal feeling it is knowing that this journey is coming to an end. We woke up in the same tent since Marc has been feeling cold at night and wanted some extra body heat. It was […]

JMT // Day 13

Rae Lakes -> Glen Pass -> Forester Pass -> Wallace Creek 22 miles What a big day! We did the most we’ve done all trip and Whitney is in sight (not literally). We woke up at Rae lakes this morning, freezing. I was pretty toasty in my sleeping bag, but the condensation on my tent […]

JMT // Day 12

South Fork Kings River -> Pinchot Pass -> Rae Lakes ~20 miles We woke up and everything was wet with thawing frost. It was a cold morning on the river and it was hard to get out of the warmth of my sleeping bag. I cooked my breakfast and instant coffee outside the flap of […]