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High Sierra Trail Day 5 — Junction Meadow to Guitar Lake

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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

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High Sierra Trail Day 4 — Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow

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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.

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High Sierra Trail Day 3 — Hamilton Lake to Moraine Lake

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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!

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

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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.

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

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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.

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How to Plan Transportation for the High Sierra Trail

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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

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Hiking the Aspen Forests of Inner Basin Trail — Flagstaff, AZ

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Hiking the Aspen Forests of Inner Basin Trail — Flagstaff, AZ

One of Flagstaff's best hikes, the Inner Basin Trail wanders through an extremely photogenic grove of beautiful white aspens.

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Hiking Fossil Springs Trail to Toilet Bowl — Fossil Creek Wilderness, AZ

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Hiking Fossil Springs Trail to Toilet Bowl — Fossil Creek Wilderness, AZ

The Fossil Creek Wilderness Area is an oasis destination attracting hikers, sunbathers, cliff-jumpers, and swimmers to its crystal clear water

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Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter Review

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Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter Review

This filter has easily become my favorite water filter system for its quick filtering and ease of use - these arms won't be pumping any more!

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Backpacking Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes — Bishop, CA

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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

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The Perfect Shasta County Weekend Getaway

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The Perfect Shasta County Weekend Getaway

Only 4 hours from the Bay Area, the Shasta Cascade makes the perfect weekend getaway with its vast forests, numerous lakes, and snow-capped mountain views

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Hiking to Heart Lake — Mt. Shasta, CA

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Hiking to Heart Lake — Mt. Shasta, CA

It's not often you'll get to experience such scenic mountain views from just a short one mile hike. The views of Mt. Shasta are one of a kind from this memorable vista.

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Mossbrae Falls Hike — Shasta Cascade region, CA

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Mossbrae Falls Hike — Shasta Cascade region, CA

Mossbrae Falls, which looks like a magical curtain of cascading water, has to be one of the crown jewels in the Shasta area. 

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Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail — Mammoth, CA

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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.

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Hike and Climb Eagle Lake Buttress — Desolation Wilderness, CA

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Hike and Climb Eagle Lake Buttress — Desolation Wilderness, CA

Hiking to Eagle Lake combined with climbing Eagle Lake Buttress make for a great day adventure of mountaineering, alpine views, and fun routes.