Backpacking Pohono Trail to Old Inspiration Point - Yosemite NP, CA

Such a classic Yosemite hike, the Pohono Trail traverses the southern rim and offers some of the best views of the iconic granite formations that Yosemite has become known for.

Backpacking the Lost Coast Trail — Northern California

Arguably the finest coastal backpacking trail in the US, this 25 mile stretch of CA coast is truly a unique trip where you’ll get to experience raw wilderness and remoteness.

My complete weekend backpacking pack list

Everything from the essentials to my luxury items, I’m sharing everything I pack for a weekend backpacking trip so that you can get inspiration for your own backpacking pack list!

Backpacking Island and Twin Lakes — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Only four miles in, this is a great trip to make early season, for beginners, or as a quick overnight into the backcountry.

Backpacking Havasu Falls - Havasupai, AZ

Characterized by multiple bright turquoise waterfalls flowing from brilliant red rock, Havasu Falls is truly a unique destination.

Backpacking the Lakes Trail Overnight to Pear Lake — Sequoia National Park, CA

Only a six mile hike past an epic valley lookout and four gorgeous alpine lakes makes the Lakes Trail one of the most popular trails in Sequoia National Park

Backpacking Fontanillis Lake to Dicks Peak — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Only a 5 mile hike in, Fontanillis Lake is a quiet oasis that also offers access to Dicks Peak, a fun off-route scramble to its 9,974 ft summit.

Backpacking Minaret Lake — Mammoth, CA

Doable in a short weekend backpacking trip, Minaret Lake sits below the Minarets, some of the most dramatic peaks in the Sierra.

Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days

I finally hiked the High Sierra Trail, a trip I've been dying to do for years! Those 6 days in remote backcountry absolutely blew me away.

High Sierra Trail Day 6 — Guitar Lake to Mt. Whitney

The final day on the trail was an intense one from summiting Mt. Whitney to descending 6k+ feet, we can definitely say finished our trip with a bang!

High Sierra Trail Day 5 — Junction Meadow to Guitar Lake

Our 5th day was mostly spent climbing uphill nonstop up to Guitar Lake with hard-earned views of Kern Valley and the Kaweah Peaks in the distance

High Sierra Trail Day 4 — Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow

On day four of the High Sierra Trail, we descended down and into Kern Canyon with a relaxing and much-needed stop at Kern Hot Springs.

High Sierra Trail Day 3 — Hamilton Lake to Moraine Lake

Our third day on the High Sierra Trail took us through a variety of terrains and set the record for the most elevation climbed - 4,000 ft!

High Sierra Trail Day 2 — 9 Mile Creek to Hamilton Lake

Day 2 on the HST was a memorable one continuing with the best views of the Great Western Divide and my favorite camp site of the entire trip.

High Sierra Trail Day 1 — Crescent Meadow to 9 Mile Creek

Our first day on the High Sierra Trail had no shortage of vast, exposed, and dramatic views of the impressive Great Western Divide.

How to Plan Transportation for the High Sierra Trail

Here I'll provide and review several transportation and shuttle options to help plan your High Sierra Trail through-hike backpacking trip

Backpacking Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes — Bishop, CA

This flat trail spanning no less than 6 spectacular lakes in less than 5 miles makes for a leisurely hike with some of the best views in the Sierras

Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail — Mammoth, CA

Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains.

Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. During our 3 day trip, we also hiked up to the summit of Mt. Price.

Thousand Island Lake, Ediza Lake, and Iceberg Lake Loop - Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA

One of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked, I feel like I could have spent days exploring the gorgeous basin and alpine lakes below the Minarets

Backpacking Matlock Lake & Kearsarge Pass — Eastern Sierra Inyo NF, CA

With it's incredible alpine views, Kearsarge Pass gives quick access to Kings Canyon from the Eastern Sierras, making it a perfect weekend backpacking trip.

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Summer) - Inyo NF, CA

One of the best backpacking trips in the Eastern Sierras, the North Fork Big Pine trail offers epic views of several turquoise alpine lakes below the Palisades

Backpacking Sabrina Lake to Hungry Packer and Moonlight Lakes — Inyo National Forest, CA

Looking for a Sierra backpacking trail to a basin full of alpine lakes? The area around Sabrina Lake offers great fishing, flower meadows, and waterfalls

North Fork Big Pine Creek (Spring) - Inyo NF, CA

For our first backpacking trip of the season, we decided on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek - a beautiful basin of glacier-fed lakes that I have been eagerly waiting to do. Once we got there, I could see why this was a popular destination - the impressive snow-capped peaks towering above all 9 beautiful lakes, great fishing, and ease of access make the North Fork the ideal Sierra hike.

Backpacking West Fork Oak Creek — Sedona, AZ

Oak Creek has some of the best fall foliage in the area, and what better way to experience the vivid hues than to camp among the colorful trees?

Backpacking Roads End to Paradise Valley — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA

Paradise Valley is a great short backpacking trip in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Starting at Road's End, the trail is also part of the famous Rae Lakes Loop.

Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, UT

Buckskin Gulch was like no other backpacking trip I've done - it was amazing to be in one of the longest slot canyons in the world.

Backpacking Mono Meadow to Lower Ottoway Lake - Yosemite NP, CA

Lower Ottoway lake is one of the prettiest lakes I have ever seen. Experience true wilderness and the best Yosemite scenery on this three day backpacking trip

Backpacking San Jacinto Peak to Strawberry Junction via PCT - San Jacinto SP, CA

Mt. San Jacinto is one of my favorite short backpacking trails in Southern California to experience true wilderness and isolation up in these mountains.

Backpacking the Grand Canyon to Ribbon Falls, AZ

The Grand Canyon is a must do backpacking trip for any hiker. Bright Angel is a gorgeous campground, and our hike to Ribbon Falls is was the perfect day hike

Backpacking Trips