John Muir Wilderness (West)
September 2024
Night 1: Hell for Sure Lake
Mileage: ~30mi
What I’d do differently: So much. This was what should’ve been a 4 night trip done in 1 night. If done again I’d 1) spend a night at the site where the trail crosses Post Corral Creek 2) a night at Hell for Sure 3) a day trip to the pass and Red Mountain with a night at Devil’s Punchbowl and finally 4) take the lower route out of Devil’s Punchbowl and spend the last night at the same Post Corral Creek crossing.
Sunrise over “Peak 11837” with Hell for Sure Pass and Red Mountain (11950’) to the left, and Hutton Pass and Mount Hutton (11990’) to the right.
Dinkey Lakes Pt. 2
August 2024
Night 1: Dinkey Creek Campground | Night 2: Island Lake | Night 3: East Lake
Mileage: ~21mi
What I’d do differently: It was proper cold - pack more warm things, and also build in a packs-off trip to Dogtooth Peak (maybe can be done easier by staying at Rock Lake).
Jennie lakes
May 2024
Snowed out :(
Lost Coast
May 2024
Night 1: Mattole Beach Campground | Night 2: Randall Creek | Night 3: Shipman Creek
Mileage: ~24mi
What I’d do differently: Instead of 8-10-6 mileage do 8-8-8 and stay at Big Flat Creek instead of Shipman on Night 2
Desolation Wilderness
September 2023
Night 1: Fallen Leaf Campground | Night 2: Clyde Lake | Night 3: Middle Velma Lake
Mileage: ~28mi
What I’d do differently: Instead of the campground, take an extra half day off, night 1 at Clyde, night 2 at Schmidell, night 3 at Dick’s lake
Trinity Alps Wilderness
August 2023
Night 1: Tannery Gulch Campground | Night 2: Alpine Lake | Night 3: Morris Meadows
Mileage: ~24mi
What I’d do differently: We attempted the backcountry route to Smith/Morris lakes but didn’t make it, so doubled back around down around to Morris Meadows. I’d want to try the back country route again.
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
August 2023
Night 1: Lily Pad Campground | Night 2: Little Lake
Mileage: ~18mi
What I’d do differently: Bake in more time for McKinley Tall Tree grove on the drive back from the trailhead
Napali Coast
March 2023
Night 1: Hanakoa Falls
Mileage: ~12mi
What I’d do differently: We only made it halfway to Kalalau beach and camped overnight at Hanakoa valley, so I would finish the entire hike if we did it again.
Credit: AllTrails
Algonquin canoeing
August 2022
Night 1: Rock Lake Campground | Night 2: Pen Lake | Night 3: Welcome Lake | Night 4: Lake Louisa
Mileage: ~24mi paddle/~5mi portage
What I’d do differently: I packed for a backpacking trip, but canoeing let’s you take a lot more stuff. I would have cooked better meals, since pre-existing fire pits were available at every site.
Credit: Jeff’s Map
Ansel adams wilderness
May 2022
Night 1: Gem Lake | Night 2: After Garnet Lake right across the Middle Fork San Joaquin River Night 3: Gem Lake
(The cal topo above is not entirely what we did)
Mileage: ~22mi
What I’d do differently: We had to cross a fairly rushing stream before the 2nd night at Middle Fork San Joaquin River - this trail is likely best a few weeks later in the season.
eMIGRANT WILDERNESS
August 2021
Night 1: Piute Lake | Night 2: Buck Lake | Night 3: Grouse Lake
Mileage: ~25mi
What I’d do differently: Streams were dry on the return from Emigrant Lake to Grouse, so we were very dehydrated by the time we made it to Grouse Lake. Grouse lake was kind of gross due to cows so might have camped at a different lake. Probably avoid the southern route entirely.
Sequoia
