Lee Vining, California

I had only been paddle boarding once before my friends suggested we take some boards out on the partially frozen Tioga Lake this past Fourth of July weekend. This experience easily blew any other SUP’ing experience out of the water. We had all escaped to Mammoth Lakes for the holiday in search of...

I wanted to check two things off my list this trip. Hot springs at sunrise and fall colors. I've tried so many times to catch a hot spring at the right time, but every time I've been, there have either been people camped right on top of the pool (not cool), or the springs are cold/broken.  Same w...

I'm a little late in writing this post. A month and a half actually...We went out to the Eastern Sierras for my 25th birthday and I've pretty much been on the move ever since we got back. Nicolette, Jack, Tim and I left town at like 5am Thursday morning. The drive was pretty easy. Especially comp...

California has the most concentrated number of national parks in a single state in the U.S.! Can you name all nine? If you’re looking for entertainment or rich history, you’ll find it here with famous landmarks galore. There are also sunny beaches, breathtaking mountain peaks, otherworldly deser...

Millions of visitors head to national parks in the summer to hike, bike, camp, and swim. Make the most of the season and spend time on, in, or near public land lakes! Here are eight where you can enjoy great views, cool off, and even spend the night getting to know our national park system. Ph...

The lakes are thawing out, the weather is getting warmer, and it’s basically sunshine and blue skies here in the Eastern Sierra. I moved to Mammoth for the summers, and I have stayed for the summers (winters are also great but nothing compared to the summers, IMO). Of course, COVID-19 is still tr...

You know how views only get better and better the higher you hike? That has never been more true than on the trails in Yosemite National Park. Take Half Dome, for instance (maybe you've heard of it?). You start at the base of the Valley, walking along the Merced River, surrounded by tall trees an...

Every year there is a phenomenon that occurs in Yosemite National Park when the elements work together just right. People come from all around the world to see and photograph the "firefall", but only the lucky ones get to see it. There is a runoff waterfall on the face of El Capitan called Hors...

We try to make the pilgrimage down south to California once a year to drink in the beauty that is Yosemite National Park. It's a must visit! This fall, we got the itch to make the trip again. Our favorite time to head to the park is mid-late Autumn when the leaves have turned and the traffic is l...

Yosemite National Park looms large in the world of exploration and adventure, in no small part due to John Muir's fascination with the place in the late 1800's. The Park draws people from all over the world who come to see its wildness, its waterfalls, its meadows, and to scramble on its rocky tr...

It’s summertime, and you are stoked about snagging permits for your adventure in the great California national park. Yosemite is one of the United State’s premier national parks, and it takes some work to plan a successful trip. Finding a place to sleep can be difficult with the summer congestion...

Soooo, Half Dome. You’ve heard of it. You’ve probably seen pictures. If you’re anything like us, you’re more than slightly entranced by it, spending many waking hours daydreaming about being on top of the world’s most iconic giant granite boulder. Something like this:First, some logistics:You are...

It might be the most recognized rock formation on Earth and it's the logo of one of the biggest outdoor brands on earth. Towering nearly 5,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor at an altitude of 8,839 feet, Half Dome is in a class of its own when it comes to attracting outdoor enthusiasts and ...

As with any adventure in the backcountry during winter, be sure you have the essential safety knowledge, skills, and gear.   Yosemite National Park is one of those special places where each season seems to be more beautiful than the last, and winter is no exception. If anything, it’s the most sp...

Taft Point Taft Point offers one of the most majestic views of Yosemite Valley. If you can time it right, make it out there in time for a sunrise or sunset. It's only 2.2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain. The reward is a sheer cliff face with stunning views of El Capitan and Yosemit...

This was my second backpacking trip in Yosemite, with one of my favorite ladies, Meredith, to one of my favorite parks and most breathtaking landscape that one could dream up. We both have busy lives at home, and days are easily filled with errands, work, and just life. These trips are a chance f...