Make it to the top
Your guide to some of the most beautiful and popular day hikes and backpacking trips this world has to offer. This blog contains hike descriptions, photos, maps and free GPX files, hike preparation tips, gear checklists, driving directions, and more.
Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Harbor, Santa Cruz Island
15.7 miles / 4,234 ft elevation
Gorgeous two-day backpacking trip on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. This hike takes you to Channel Islands National Park, which conserves the unique Channel Islands ecosystems. The waters around these islands are also conserved by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and make for amazing diving. The trail meanders along the island's coast on a ridge line offering panoramic ocean views on both sides. No luck is needed to encounter the curious and adorable island fox on this island. For the best weather, plan a trip in late summer/early fall (July - October).
Half Dome Day Hike - Yosemite National Park, California
14.6 miles / 6,283 ft elevation
The Half Dome day hike is a strenuous, high elevation all-day hike in famous Yosemite National Park requiring an early morning start to finish during daylight hours. However, it is also one of the most scenic hikes in Yosemite, passing by 317 ft Vernal Falls and 594 ft Nevada Falls on the way to the Half Dome summit. Permits are required in order to climb the cables in the final stretch to reach the summit. These permits are limited and distributed by lottery each year after taking applications in March. The cables are up late May through early October if conditions allow.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
Hunting Hollow Entrance to Coit Lake
17.6 miles / 4,261 ft elevation
Henry W. Coe State Park is one of the few parks in the San Francisco Bay Area not completely overrun by visitors on the weekends. It is also one of the few parks where you can backpack and wilderness camp without needing advanced permits, which means it is also one of the most accessible parks for backpackers. Coit Lake is a favorite location especially if you are interested in fishing, we have had good luck catching fish, such as bass, each time we have been to this lake. You can also take a dip in the lake, which tends to warm up enough to be enjoyable in the summer. In the spring, enjoy the rolling green hills and abundant wildflowers.