Grand Canyon National Park, AZ — I have been to Grand Canyon a couple of times but never hiked it. I always wondered what it was like to hike down. After talking to a couple of my friends, we decided to do a backpacking trip in Grand Canyon. I’m glad we backpacked. …

Mission Peak Regional Preserve, Fremont, CA — Mission Peak is a 2,517-foot summit and one of the most popular climbs in Bay Area, CA. Length: 7.56 miles Elevation Gain: 2,162 ft Route Type: Out & Back Trail Details: AllTrails / 3D Map Media: Photos / Video 52 Hike Challenge: Hike #34 There are two main routes to…

Henry W. Coe State Park, Morgan Hill, CA — Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California. Having backpacked at Henry W. Core State Park in the beginning of this year, it was time to explore the southern side of the park. Length: 18.01 miles Elevation Gain: 4,098 ft Route Type: Loop AllTrails: Day…

Pinnacles National Park, CA — Pinnacles National Park is one of the latest national parks located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California. The park was upgraded from National Monument to National Park in 2013. Caves, condors and camping are some of the highlights of this park. Length: 10.60 miles Elevation Gain: 2,070 ft …

Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, CA — Andrew Molera State Park has one of the most beautiful trails in Big Sur. This loop provides a lot of vanities along the trail. The redwood forest, mountain views, wildflowers, river crossing and best of all the beautiful ocean view throughout the hike. Length: 8.08 miles Elevation Gain: 1,535 ft …

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, CA — Big Sur is one of my favorite places in California with an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Lucia Mountain ranges on the other side. I have been to this area multiple times but always on a road trip to see the coastline. I…

Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol, CA — The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is a 28 mile trail between Del Valle Regional Park at Livermore and Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Fremont. Typically this takes 3 days to hike. …

Mount Diablo State Park, Alamo, CA — Mount Diablo is one of California’s state park located in the Bay Area. This state park offers a variety of hiking trails. You can find strenuous summit hikes to simple hikes on the foothills of Mount Diablo. Having done the summit trail hike a couple of months back, I decided…

Point Reyes National Seashore, Inverness, CA — Tomales Point Trail offers spectacular views of the Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean and is part of Point Reyes National Seashore park located in Marin County, California. Length: 10.28 miles Elevation Gain: 1,280 ft Route Type: Out & Back Trail Details: AllTrails / 3D Map Media: Photos / Video …