HIKE/BIKE DESCRIPTIONS
click for lists of hikes by state
click for lists of hikes by state
Images of the Month - Beginnings and Endings
These videos are from my family. William, my great nephew is full of energy but takes the time to "smell the flowers", and has much hope and life ahead of him. Mopsie, my niece Jessica's beloved companion, was euthanized a few days ago because of kidney problems. It is comforting to know that throughout and to the end of her life Mopsie was so loved by her family.
These videos are from my family. William, my great nephew is full of energy but takes the time to "smell the flowers", and has much hope and life ahead of him. Mopsie, my niece Jessica's beloved companion, was euthanized a few days ago because of kidney problems. It is comforting to know that throughout and to the end of her life Mopsie was so loved by her family.
William - "I like the smell of flowers!"
Mopsie floating down like a leaf
Mopsie- We will Miss You
photo by Jen Cera
photo by Jen Cera
Quote of the Month
"Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons: It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."
- Walt Whitman - born May 31, 1819 - Happy Birthday!
More Quotes
"Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons: It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."
- Walt Whitman - born May 31, 1819 - Happy Birthday!
More Quotes
May's Helpful Technique - Liner socks for hiking
For hikes over 6 or so miles, I have a long-time habit of wearing liner socks under padded hiking socks. They wick moisture away from your skin and dry fast, which decreases the chance of blisters. I currently like the silk liners from REI, but have worn Bridgedale Coolmax liner socks for many years. I also wear a hiking boot 1/2 - 1 size larger than regular shoes, to allow room for toes in the boot while descending and for the two pairs of socks.
For hikes over 6 or so miles, I have a long-time habit of wearing liner socks under padded hiking socks. They wick moisture away from your skin and dry fast, which decreases the chance of blisters. I currently like the silk liners from REI, but have worn Bridgedale Coolmax liner socks for many years. I also wear a hiking boot 1/2 - 1 size larger than regular shoes, to allow room for toes in the boot while descending and for the two pairs of socks.
Latest Blog Post
Gallagher Peak: 6,074' - Salmon River Mountains, Idaho
3/22/21: Get a taste of true Idaho wilderness on this short climb to a lush and undisturbed summit with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history. Just be prepared for some challenging bushwhacking!
3/22/21: Get a taste of true Idaho wilderness on this short climb to a lush and undisturbed summit with a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history. Just be prepared for some challenging bushwhacking!
Four "Grand Slam Peaks"
Late winter/spring training hikes in Boise National Forest, Idaho
Late winter/spring training hikes in Boise National Forest, Idaho
|
Kepros Mountain - Boise NF
5/6/2018: A spacious ridge ramble in the Danskin Mountains with abundant wildflowers and views of snow-covered Trinity Mountains and Arrowrock Reservoir. |
Mt. Heinen: Grand Slam Peaks Completed!
6/5/2018: This steep ridge hike out of Arrowrock Reservoir in the Boise Mountains provides an exhilarating view of water and mountain ranges. |
Lucky Peak - Winter Ascent
March 26, 2018: Snowshoe climb to Lucky Peak in Boise River Wilderness Management Area after a March snowstorm. |
Cervidae Peak - Southeast Ridge Route
March 16, 2018: Short and steep ridge hike close to Boise overlooking Lucky Peak Reservoir to a summit with great views. |
Popular Posts
|
Goat Mountain: 11, 913 feet
Pioneer Mountain Range, Idaho 9/22/18: Tough hike/scramble to second highest mountain in the rugged Pioneers with a breathtaking view and steep drop-offs at your feet. |
No Mans Mesa hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
7/21/2018: A unique opportunity to see a near-relict, pristine desert ecosystem from Lick Wash Trail; solitary and remote. |
|
Previous Posts
Lucky Peak Hike, Boise: The Ridge Less Traveled II
2/20/21: In search of new routes and solitude on Lucky Peak, an historic mining district, Boise. |
|
|
Johnstone Peak: 9,949', This Hike for Henry Brown
10/20/20: Navigate off Pioneer Cabin Trail's beaten path for a massive view of Idaho's rugged Pioneer Mountains. We return to remember our great friend. |
Wolf Mountain: 8,876' and Point 8610 via Jennie Lake Trail in Boise National Forest
11/16/20: Seldom summited, this remote and jagged peak is a great combination of on-trail and Class 2 scrambling and navigating. |
Red Rock Country
1/7/21: Reflections on Southern Utah's warm colors, great images of past hikes, and a remedy for the winter blues. |
|
Burger Peak: 10,320' - Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness, Southern Utah
6/16/20: We escaped scorching St. George to a cool forest to navigate through snow drifts. |
Jackson Peak: 8,124' - Boise National Forest, Idaho
8/1/20: Lightly-traveled single track to fire lookout and views of Sawtooth Mountains. |
|
Cat Mountain: 3,852' - Tucson Mountain Park
3/19/20: Climb the ash tuff rocks of Cat Mountain for a dual view of the sprawling city of Tucson and other high points in this ancient caldera. |
Elephant Head Peak, 5,641' - Santa Rita Mountains, Southern Arizona
2/20/20: combination trail and off-trail fun Class 2-3 ridge climb to view of Arizona's sky islands. |
|
|
|
|
Bald Mountain via Station Creek - Garden Valley, Idaho
11/30/19: This hike close to Boise offers a quiet Ponderosa pine forest and great views of Boise NF. |
Tucson Mountains Tour: Golden Gate Mountain, Bobcat Ridge, Little Cat Mountain
1/30/20: Summit three high points in the "Tucson Mountain Chaos" in an ancient caldera. |
|
Alpine Peak, 9,861' -Sawtooth Wilderness: Never Stop Climbing Mountains
8/27/19: Scramble to Alpine's summit for tremendous views of Sawtooth Lake and peaks. |
|
Tanque Verde Peak, Saguaro Wilderness, Tucson
6/30/19: From saguaros to pines, hike through 4 biomes to immense view of southern Arizona. |
Thimble Peak - Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Tucson
5/19/2019: Hike through beautiful Upper Sonoran chaparral to a distinguished Tucson landmark with steep rock chutes. |
Lucky Peak Winter Hike: The Ridge Less Traveled
4/22/2019: Our own spin on Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken," we hiked a ridge less traveled to Lucky Peak in the Boise NF. |
|
|
|
|
My "Neck of the Woods" - Autumn
2/27/2019: You don't have to go far from home for adventure and beauty. These scenes are within a one-mile radius of my house. 
Canaan Mountain via Squirrel Canyon - So. Utah
11/30/18: Classic Southern Utah adventure to a towering plateau of Navajo Sandstone. No Mans Mesa hike Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow |
Haystack Mountain - Palm Desert, CA
2/13/2019: Great desert hike off the Art Smith Trail with a spectacular view of Southern California's mountain ranges, and our old summit register entry from 2011. 
Boulder Mail Trail to Death Hollow in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
9/3/18: Hike the remote cross-country route of the last mule U.S. mail delivery through slickrock sandstone and sagebrush flats. |
Pinto Mountain, Joshua Tree Wilderness
12/30/2018: The reward for the long walk across Pinto Basin followed by a rocky climb is the outstanding 360° views of the Mojave desert. Related: Monument Mountain, Joshua Tree NP 
Sabino Canyon in Tucson - Breakfast Ridge
April 23, 2018: A rugged and beautiful off-trail trek up Breakfast Ridge in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness through a saguaro, palo verde and ocotillo "forest". |
Monument Mountain: 4,834' - Joshua Tree National Monument
February 20, 2018: Sublime and "mind-expanding" cross-country hike, and some of the oldest rocks in California. |
In Memory of Roger Keezer
January 17, 2018: Roger Keezer conceived the phrase, "Cactus to Clouds", a now well-known extreme hike. We hiked to his memorial in California's San Jacinto Mountains with Maria Keezer. |
Dry Creek/Shingle Creek Loop in the Boise Foothills
December 11, 2017: Beautiful riparian vegetation along a rushing creek and a breezy Ponderosa pine forest just a few minutes from downtown Boise. |
Zion National Park - Double Arch Alcove Hike
October 28, 2017: Taylor Creek Trail to Double Arch Alcove carved into Navajo Sandstone contains a treasure-trove of exposed geologic features in a relatively short distance. |
|
Sunset Mountain Lookout Snowshoe
This winter's snowshoe hike to Sunset Peak in the Boise National Forest was the most spectacular yet |
This Hike for Henry Brown
October 9, 2016: When Henry Brown passed away last August, we dedicated a hike to Johnstone Peak for him in a land that he loved. |
Tucson: 4 days, 40 miles, One Rattlesnake
Tucson hike highlights: Finger Rock Canyon, Mt. Kimball, Pima Canyon, Pontatoc Trail |
2013 EXPLORUMENTARIES
If you don't mind steep drop-offs and want to witness an incredible view of Zion Canyon, this hike's for you!
|
Alpine Peak Summit - Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness
|
4th of July trip to Challis, Idaho: Gold Bug Hot Springs and Merriam Lake in the Lost River Range
|