Rachel DavidsonExplorer

NOTE: as of 2019, North Peak has been fenced off around the installation of a radio tower and weather station. Additionally, the summit has been found to be a habitat for the endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly. The Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a popular seaside trail that’s just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. Leaving the city using I-280, take the Highway 1 exit for just about 10 miles...

Not only is South Sister a stunning image and visible from hundreds of miles throughout Central Oregon, but it is a great beginner climb to introduce hikers to high altitude mountain life. As long as you’re mentally prepared, have good physical endurance, and pack right, there’s no reason why this mountaintop should be out of reach. Getting there is simple and accessible for any type of city v...

Smith Rock State Park is an iconic PNW canyon that's become one of the rock climbing capitals of the country, and known worldwide for its sport climbing routes. And while climbing draws crowds year-round, adventurers also visit for its trail system boasting sweeping Central Oregon volcano views. The new-ish Summit Trail Loop is one of the most challenging of the park and super popular for hike...

The Washington Park Arboretum is the perfect place to swing through if you're looking for a short and gentle trail run without leaving the city. This expansive park includes the UW Botanic Gardens, Japanese Gardens, entire length of the Arboretum Creek - all landmarks you'll pass on this trail. This wide, gravel trail is easy to navigate and dotted with maps and turn offs for side streets and s...

The Annapurna Circuit Trek continually ranks as one of the most famous and popular treks in the entire world. This route will take you through lush lower valleys, alpine apple orchards, and high-altitude icy climates, eventually reaching the crux of the entire trip on Thorong-La Pass at 17,770 ft.One of the biggest attractions of this trek is that once you reach Jomsom on Day 12, there are bus ...

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...

The Three Passes Trek is a seriously challenging, seriously awe-inspiring high-altitude trek through the Nepalese Himalayas. Lonely Planet describes this as “the ultimate Everest trek… Only for the truly adventurous.” In fact, for over a week during this trek you will be hiking and sleeping above the highest point in the continuous United States (14,505 ft.).As it’s named, this route crosses th...

Yosemite's Panorama Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and worthwhile trails in the entire national park. The stretch that reaches from the valley floor to the top of Glacier Point involves 8.5 miles and a monumental amount of elevation gain. If you want to see the entire stretch of trail - but you also want to catch an unbeatable sunrise view beforehand - try out this demanding revers...

Stok Kangri is located within the larger area of Ladakh, closest to its capital city Leh (11,562 ft.). Because Leh sits at such a high elevation, it is incredibly important to spend one to three rest days in the city before starting this climb – you’ll find plenty to do between all of the great restaurants, lookout points, and monasteries.At the time that we set off on this climb in May of 2016...

The Gokyo Valley lies just to the east of Renjo La Pass – the final obstacle to those completing the epic 3 Passes Trek in Nepal. Before embarking on this last challenge, and especially after making it over Cho La Pass, you deserve a rest day.The emerald-green lake at the banks of the village of Gokyo is just one of six in the area which make up the highest-altitude freshwater lake system in th...

Leif Erikson Drive is a wide dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park that is closed to motorized vehicles…making it a magnet for those looking to add some relatively easy and scenic distance to their workouts.The road itself is nicely graded and well maintained. It has relatively good drainage, so it’s a good go-to destination if you’re looking for a more scenic run during wet weathe...

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most famous high-altitude trekking routes in the world, and rightfully so. During this adventure you’ll pass through alpine apple orchards, colorful prayer flags and religious stupas, and of course – alongside a stunning backdrop of the Himalayas. Along your way, you’ll have ample opportunities to kick back and enjoy a rest/acclimatization day. But what ...

Kala Patthar (also spelled Kala Pataar, Kala Pattar), is one of the best ways for ordinary hikers to reach extraordinary heights in the heart of the Nepal Himalayas. The trek to the base of the mountain, at Gorakshep or Lobuche, will have already taken you well over a week and acclimatized your body to high altitude – so by the time you reach the “Black Rock” mountain, summiting it should be a ...

The starting location of this adventure is set at the city's largest hotel, aptly named Gyantse Hotel. All of the streets surrounding the hotel are flat and cobblestoned, with little traffic or danger, and should be comfortable for all types of travelers. Head right out of the entrance of the hotel to reach the main downtown area. The shops and restaurants downtown will be littered with unique ...

This classic cycling destination out of Chamonix Valley is perfect for reasonably fit people looking to summit a mountain pass on wheels. Col des Montets (1,462 m) is on County Road D1506 that connects France to Switzerland, and it was even included in the Tour de France in the 50s through the 70s. Check road conditions on the Chamonix tourism site before setting off. You can begin this trip a...

Looking for those postcard views of the Annapurna range you see in Lakeside stores? You'll have to work for them (or at least, wake up early). Especially during the spring, the mountains get lost in clouds by mid-morning and are rarely visible from the town of Pokhara, on the lake, or even up on the top of the World Peace Pagoda. The good news is, an early start will do the trick. Talk to one o...

If you’ve been anywhere near Central Oregon, you’ve seen the Three Sisters Mountains dominate the skyline. Each of these volcanoes exceeds 10,000 ft. and are some of the highest peaks in the state of Oregon. Though they are truly considered sister peaks to one another, each has unique climbing routes that require varying physical conditioning and gear.Note: Some (crazy) people actually climb al...

Wherever you go in Leh, you won't be able to miss the Leh Royal Palace. This massive, towering palace was actually built to resemble the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and is adorned with classic Tibetan inscriptions and Buddhist monuments. Begin this adventure at the base of the palace in the downtown Leh Bazaar area. There are a few different footpaths, and even a road, that lead up to the entrance....

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...

Mt. Elbrus is considered to be the second simplest of the Seven Summits, after Kilimanjaro. Climbers should have prior experience with glacier travel and crampon + ice axe use, but the climb itself is non-technical and considered to be a long, slow alpine trek. Everyone attempting should still be versed in mountain safety and aware that all alpine environments can be harsh and unforgiving. New ...

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 ...

Beginning at the Suttle Lake Lodge just off Highway 20, the Suttle Lake Loop follows a wide dirt path that circumnavigates the entire lake. Hug the lake whenever the trail opens up to camping areas or pavement - it's nearly impossible to become lost on this track. Pass campsites, kayakers, and recreationalists out for day hikes along this super-popular and easily-accessible trail. Enjoy views o...

This trail is a great option for people who want to escape the city, without actually leaving. Lacamas Park is located right downtown Camas, Washington and offers over six miles of dirt trails popular for cyclists, pedestrians, and runners.Park off of 3rd avenue at the Lacamas Creek Trailhead to begin this run. The first 0.7 miles is an easy up-and-down before you hit the McEnry Bridge. Turn ri...

The Sunrise to Summit Trail on Mt. Bachelor is the easiest and most straightforward way for peakbaggers to reach the summit of one of Central Oregon’s classic volcano climbs. The top boasts views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters, and even Mt. Jefferson beyond. Mt. Bachelor’s official Sunrise to Summit Trail map should help you get a clear visual of this hike.This route begins at Sunrise Lodge a...