Rachel DavidsonExplorer
When I'm not embarking on human-powered adventures, I'm writing about them. Say hi to me the next time you're in Seattle!
Run Old River Road to George Rogers Park
West Linn, Oregon
5.0
4.8 mi
/ 100 ft gain
Portland and its surrounding suburbs are filled with trails and hidden treasures, including this stretch along the Willamette River. This road is a super popular pedestrian path and can be accessed from West Linn, the Mary's Woods and Marylhurst Development, or from Lake Oswego off of Highway 43.
The route described here begins in the Riverwood district of West Linn, near Cedaroak Park Primary ...
Climb Mt. Baker via the Easton Glacier Route
Concrete, Washington
16 mi
/ 7600 ft gain
The Easton Glacier route is one of the mountain’s most popular and likewise, most crowded. Check out Mt. Baker’s Squak Glacier route or Coleman Deming Glacier route for an alternative climb with similar difficulty.You’ll start out at Schreibers Meadow Trailhead (3,200 ft.). To get there, exit off of I-5 north of Mount Vernon, head east on Highway 20, and turn left on Baker Lake Road. Follow thi...
Hike from Pabongka Monastery to Sera Monastery
Lasa Shi, China
2.8 mi
/ 1312.3 ft gain
This route follows a narrow goat and yak trail high up in the hills overlooking the capital of Tibet. Though the trip is not very long or steep, tourists visiting from sea level will feel the strenuous effects of altitude as they complete this trek (elevation highpoint is around 13,000 feet).
Begin your day with a tour of Pabonka Monastery, a 7th-century sacred site that was actually the locati...
Climb Cheget Peak
Terskol, Russia
6 mi
/ 4925 ft gain
Cheget Peak isn’t just one of Russia’s premier ski and snowboard destinations; it’s an awesome acclimatization climb to the European peak of the Seven Summits, Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft.).
The Baksan Valley is remote, even for Russia. From the small Mineralnye Vody airport, it’s a three-hour drive to the valley proper, which hosts a number of villages with lodging, restaurants, and gear shops. You ...
Tryon Creek Outer Loop
Portland, Oregon
4.5
5.12 mi
/ 554 ft gain
Tryon Creek State Park has a fantastic, well-maintained trail system that’s a great alternative to Portland’s downtown Washington Park and Forest Park. It’s a super family-friendly area with a Nature Center that hosts kid’s events year-round. This entire area is relatively small and therefore easy to navigate. You’ll also have full cell service up here, and all of the trails are trackable on Go...
Sunday Peak Trail
Posey, California
1.64 mi
/ 1060 ft gain
This short and easy summit is located just outside of Kernville, California. To get there, follow Highway 178 towards Kernville and turn left on Highway 155 towards Wofford Heights. After a long, steep incline you’ll reach the top of Greenhorn Summit, marked by large parking areas on either side. Turn right onto 24S15 (Forest Road 90) and you’ll see a sign for a number of trailheads – including...
Climb Imja Tse (Island Peak)
Khumjung, Nepal / 3615 ft gain
Most people climbing Island Peak are adding this summit onto an extended 3-week long Everest Base Camp Trek, this climb occurring after a visit to EBC, between days 10 and 12. Folks embarking on the longer and more challenging 3 Passes Trek may complete this climb before visiting EBC, between days 8 and 10. Either way, the jumping off point for this climb will be in the village of Chukung, east...
Climb Cerro Aconcagua via the Normal Route
Luján de Cuyo, Argentina
31.1 mi
/ 13123.4 ft gain
Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain outside of the Himalayas, the highest point in the Western Hemisphere, and the second-highest of the Seven Summits behind Mt. Everest. It is a high-altitude endeavor not for the faint of heart, or legs.Since the normal route on Aconcagua is largely non-technical, this climb is considered to be more of a grueling slug up an incredibly high-altitude mountai...
Hike or Run Goose Rock
Goose Rock Perimeter Trail, Washington
2.5 mi
/ 482 ft gain
Deception Pass State Park is one of Washington state's favorite year-round destinations; Beachside camping, salt-water kayaking, and plenty of short, accessible trails with endless views of the strait. Goose Rock, the tallest point on Whidbey Island, is just southeast of the Deception Pass bridge and a popular destination for its moderate hike and gorgeous payoff.
This adventure starts just ben...
Hike to Steelhead Lake through McGee Creek Canyon
Mammoth Lakes, California
5.0
11.5 mi
/ 2510 ft gain
Whether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views.I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easily accessible trailheads in the Eastern Sierras. You’ll be looking for the McGee Creek Road exit off ...
Scramble Sky Pilot
Sea to Sky Gondola, British Columbia
4.0
10 mi
/ 3800 ft gain
Sky Pilot Mountain is the highest peak past Stawamus Chief, Squamish's famous vertical rock face. Luckily, the rock just beyond the Chief is just as beautiful and reliable for climbers, hikers, and scramblers looking to stretch their legs and challenge their vertigo limits on an exposed, thrilling summit push.
Begin by taking the Sea-to-Sky gondola from Shannon Falls area. Unfortunately, the fi...
Hike or Run the Lighthouse Point Trail
4399 Bowman Bay Road, Washington
5.0
1.9 mi
/ 285 ft gain
The Lighthouse Point Trail is yet another offshoot of Deception Pass Park’s wonderful trail system, which weaves itself through the northern corners to the southern ends of the park’s expansive walking paths. Perfect for families and for adventurers just getting their hiking legs warmed up for the season, the Lighthouse Point Trail is one of the closest options to the highway and a great way to...
Run the Circumnavigation of Redwood Regional Park's Ultimate Trail Loop
Oakland, California
5.0
7.5 mi
/ 1600 ft gain
It’s difficult to have a car in San Francisco, but oh-so worth it when it comes to weekend getaways, especially with all the Bay Area has to offer. This is a super accessible trail system just 30 minutes outside of the city that makes for a fun, easy trail run or hike.Redwood Regional Park, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, is a huge open space that's tucked away in the East Bay hill...
Climb the Aiguilles Crochues Traverse
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
5 mi
/ 1476.4 ft gain
The valley of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is most well known for the mountain it’s named after, Western Europe’s highest peak. Yet just right across the valley on its north side lies a dramatic and beautiful range that cuts the horizon with tall rock spires: The Aiguilles Rouges.Part of the Rouges range, the Aiguilles Crochues Traverse offers incredible views and breathtaking heights for new climbers r...
Hike East Peak in the Wallowa Mountains
Joseph, Oregon
4.0
2 mi
/ 1230 ft gain
The Wallowa Mountains are one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon – and rightfully so. Also dubbed the “Oregon Alps,” this range has over 30 mountains over 9,000 ft. in elevation. While Central Oregon gets more visitors and credit for its massive volcanoes, the Wallowas are a truly stunning sight and well worth the trip to the state’s isolated Northeast corner.The largest and most popular town to vi...
Backpack the Langtang Valley Trek
Syapru Besi, Nepal
37 mi
/ 7766 ft gain
The Langtang region of Nepal is also known as “the valley of glaciers” for good reason. This trek takes you through a valley walled in by jaw-dropping snowcapped peaks, and is popular for its camping, trekking, and rafting. Plus, its lower elevation means that the valley is accessible in the winter, and you’re also less likely to experience symptoms of AMS.Langtang Valley also attracts tourists...
Climb Mt. Shasta via Avalanche Gulch
Siskiyou County, California
5.0
11 mi
/ 7200 ft gain
The Avalanche Gulch route is the second easiest, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Shasta after the Clear Creek Route, but is by far the most popular. Many people complete this climb in one day from the trailhead, but you also have the opportunity to overnight at Horse Camp (7,950 ft.) or Helen Lake (10,400 ft.).Begin at Bunny Flat Trailhead (6,940 ft.), off of Everitt Memorial Highway. ...
Hike or Run Lottie Point Loop
15671 Rosario Road, Washington
1.5 mi
/ 50 ft gain
One of the best routes to add to your itinerary when exploring Deception Pass State Park, one of Washington’s most popular year-round camping, hiking, and kayaking destinations; The Lottie Point Loop trail is a great offshoot of a larger trail system that takes you across soaring cliffsides and alongside untouched beaches for some of the purest, bluest water you’ll find in the state.
You can fi...
Backcountry Camp in the Canyon Creek Drainage
Junction City, California
9 mi
/ 2600 ft gain
The first half of the Canyon Creek Drainage is one of the most popular destinations within the Trinity Alps, but the second half goes largely unexplored and uninhabited by sojourners. Four peaks – Thompson Peak, Wedding Cake, Mt. Hilton, and Sawtooth Peak – surround the basin and offer adventurers some spicy off-trail scrambling. The drainage opens into three lake basins, including the always-p...
Climb the Aiguille du Midi-Plan Traverse
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
2.5 mi
/ 1148.3 ft gain
The Aiguille du Midi Cable Car is the #1 tourist destination in the world’s capital for extreme sports, Chamonix. For regular tourists, a trip to the top of the 3842 m-high cable car museum provides plenty of excitement for one day. But for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s just the starting point for countless high-altitude climbing routes.This route describes one of the most pop...
Run the Clackamette Park Loop
Gladstone, Oregon
1.2 mi
/ 10 ft gain
Clackamette Park is known for its prime destination right off of the freeway and across from Oregon City's most popular shopping area, but it's frequented for its public boat dock, RV facilities, and handicap-accessible picnic benches. While the rest of Portland's parks freeze over or flood, Clackamette is a safe bet for a scenic day on the water that the entire family will enjoy.
This 1.2 loop...
Mt. Shuksan via The Sulphide Glacier Route
Concrete, Washington
13.62 mi
/ 6230 ft gain
NOTE: This is a very challenging mountaineering adventure. Please do not attempt without the proper skill, knowledge, and equipment.
The Sulphide Glacier is the easiest and most popular route to the summit of Mt. Shuksan, and is a great beginner’s glacier + rock climb. More experienced climbers may enjoy the Fisher Chimneys route. The route described here makes for a very long two days becaus...
Run Sawyer Camp Trail
San Mateo County, California
5.0
12 mi
/ 300 ft gain
The Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular paved trail that stretches alongside the Crystal Springs Reservoir all the way to Hillcrest Blvd. The sixth mile crosses over the San Andreas Dam with nice views of San Andreas Lake.There are markers every half mile which makes timing and tracking your run easy. Even though the path is paved, there are wide dirt shoulders on either side that have been packed d...
Hike Kendall Peak
North Bend, Washington
5.0
9.2 mi
/ 2800 ft gain
Kendall Peak is an easily accessible summit hike just off of Exit 52 of I-90 that offers spectacular 360-degree views of the entire Snoqualmie range. You’ll start out in the PCT parking lot where you’ll need a NW Forest Pass to park, or pay the daily fee. A permanent bathroom and backcountry access permits are available here, too.
There are two trail options to reach the upper portion of the PC...
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