Rachel DavidsonExplorer
When I'm not embarking on human-powered adventures, I'm writing about them. Say hi to me the next time you're in Seattle!
Sloan Peak was an awesome all-around climb with a little bit of every type of backcountry travel you can find in the Cascades. We ran into a few parties who were doing this adventure in one push, car to car, and were seriously impressed. Nick did an awesome and thorough write-up of most of the obstacles you can encounter on this climb, but one thing to note: Those river crossings are no joke. We spent an hour and a half navigating our way across all 3 streams on our way into camp, and forged through in 20 minutes on our way out to the car. Our only regret of the entire trip was mistiming our summit with the weather, supposedly Sloan offers one of the best views of the entire Cascade range... Alternate post-adventure grub if Hawk's Nest is closed: Playa Bonita 30 miles west in Arlington.
5.0
This is a great beginner's multi-pitch summit of one of the 50 Classics Climbing in NA - I can attest, having just accomplished this as my first trad alpine summit last weekend! The exposure is stomach-turning, the rock in excellent condition, and the views absolutely stunning. This is an incredibly popular & crowded route, so do your best to avoid weekends, start early... and be wary of trail conditions. Early season you'll want mountaineering boots, an axe, or skis on the approach.
5.0
Just above this monastery, you can take a stiff 20 minute hike to the top of Gyanste Dzong to over look the monastery and the entire town. 14th century architecture has never looked better from this view!
5.0
Renting a kayak, canoe, or paddle boat in Pokhara is the #1 activity I tell visitors to try (aside from paragliding, of course). The hike up to the World Peace Pagoda is pretty branchy and thick, but totally worth the effort. Plus - in one of those coves along the lake there's a huge patio bar with mediocre food and cheap beer.
5.0
Trevor does a good job setting up the idea that you're renting a motorcycle in a third world country, but it begs repeating - you REALLY should have motorcycling experience before trying it out in Pokhara. Some of the roads around the lake are so rutted you'll practically have to pull the bike up each hill. Scooters also make a great alternative for getting around Lakeside :)
5.0
Orizaba is a quintessential volcano climb topping out with its (seemingly neverending) 800 meter glacier up to the top. There ARE crevasses on the glacier, though depending on the snow level, they are often covered up and considered safe. For this reason none of our teammates roped up. We also opted to sleep in the town of Tlachichuca instead of the noisy, dirty mountain hut. 13 of us took the 2-hour 4x4 ride to the trailhead to start hiking at 5am, and the last of us stood on the summit before noon. When I return for a second summit I'll do the same itinerary to afford just a few extra hours of solid rest and a good meal before the long day.
5.0
The #1 thing on this pack list is a local guide for a good reason - we never would've been able to navigate past the "knee" without someone who knew this mountain well. We climbed Izta just three days after its neighboring Popocatepetl erupted, sending smoke and ash around the surrounding area. The views of Popo during the entire Izta climb are literally breathtaking - at over 17k feet, this is a seriously high altitude feat, and a perfect training ground for Mexico's tallest mountain, Pico de Orizaba.
5.0
What's super important to note on this route is that the elevation gain described here doesn't include the ascents + descents of the volcano's craters. There are actually three summits climbers have to navigate before reaching the true top, and the total gain is somewhere around 5 - 5k feet. For those looking to climb Izta during a day trip, the registration office opens around 7am and is a 20-30 min drive on a rough road to the trailhead, making your earliest starting time between 7:30 and 8am.
5.0
This climb reminded me of everything I learned on Central Oregon's volcanoes - including insane amounts of scree. Malinche is a very straightforward mountain with only one slight false summit, which makes it otherwise easy to navigate to the top. We parked in the restaurant lot and cut through the road on manmade use trails, which added on a few miles / elevation / time. Definitely stick around to try the food at the restaurant after your climb, and trust the hostess to tell you what's best on the menu.
5.0
This volcano is super popular for local families and will be very crowded on the weekends. The author notes that the summit lies 1.5 hours from the park entrance - that's FAST! We had a few Everest climbers on our team booking it and made it to the top in around 2 hours. This route describes ascending towards the left side of the peak up a scrambling section (past Laguna de la Luna), and descending on the right down a steep scree field (past Laguna de la Sol).
5.0
They say that this wildfire area just allows more views with less trees - but the truth is that the burnt forest can be a little depressing and tiring on the eyes. If you make it all the way out to the Three Fingered Jack area, I would recommend heading to the other side of the mountain and camping in Canyon Creek Meadows. You can park at Jack Lake for an easy 2 mile hike in, and there are plenty of stunning day hikes to keep you busy (and your legs sore).
2.0
I've never had a problem getting a last-minute permit for this area (though I've only tried for day hiking - not camping). As the author notes, this is an awesome jumping off point for a summit North Sister or Middle Sister. There's truthfully no "good way" to get up the mountain, just follow a few unmarked use trails up either the Collier Glacier or the Renfrew Glacier and aim for the top!
5.0
This hike really does start halfway up the mountain, which is why it's so great for young kids and less-than-fit folks. For a bigger challenge, you can start at the base of the mountain in Camp Sherman and hike all its glorious 3200 feet! And double the mileage, too.
5.0
This is a fantastic trail running spot, in part for its minimal elevation gain and maximum miles, and in part because of its awesome views of Richmond, Berkeley, and SF beyond. One of the easiest & quickest ways to feel like you've left the city, with all the closeness & comforts of civilization.
4.0
This is a nice lookout, though nothing special compared with other hikes throughout the gorge. The second option to getting here (as the author refers to) is via Hunchback Mountain Trailhead, though this route requires something close to 6k elevation gain. Given the choice between the two, I can see why people would opt for short & sweet.
3.0
Twin Peaks is just 3 feet shorter than the highest point in SF, Mt. Davidson. That being said, it's one of the best training grounds for runners or hikers wanting to add elevation gain into their exercise regimen. Whether you're running laps around the two Twin Peaks, or doing sprints up and down its super-steep stairs, this is a first-class landmark to enjoy sweeping city views while getting in a killer workout.
5.0
Both times I've stayed here I've been incredibly lucky with walk-in availability. And both times I chose this spot as my base camp for a climb of Cone Peak: https://www.theoutbound.com/san-francisco/backpacking/climb-cone-peak-in-big-sur-sea-to-sky-route
5.0
This is a great trail run that will surprise your legs with how much 1800 ft of elevation gain can really hurt. Four stars because it's all single-track trail and very crowded, so passing people can become a hassle.
4.0
Unfortunately, I found that this hike wasn't all it's cracked up to be. I made the long drive from SF and was disappointed by the crowds, "trail," and not-so-challenging grade up. Save yourself some time and gas $$ by hiking up Mt. Diablo instead.
2.0
The quarter-mile markers make it easy to track your time and progress, without fussing with your phone or watch. My only beef is that parking is difficult - there's space for about 10 cars at the end of Thurman St. where the trail starts, which is why you'll see a lot of runners park further down the road and run up.
5.0
This is a wide, user-friendly trail that's also great for running. Other reviewers are right in that this place gets incredibly crowded in the summer, even mid-week, so pick an off-time or off-day if you want to really zoom on this trail without having to worry about passing solo and group hikers.
5.0
Since the Tuolumne Meadows parking area allows for drive-up car camping, and also because there's a convenience store selling booze and snacks, I would highly recommend this adventure be done on a warm summer's night with happy hour makings in hand. The meadow is huge, so it'll be easy to find a rock or grassy patch away from other crowds to watch the sunlight colors fade across the mountains. Regardless of where you stay in Yosemite, Tuolumne is a must-visit!!
5.0
This route in high season (middle of summer) can be extremely popular and therefore crowded. If you can plan to avoid a weekend or set out even just a half hour earlier than the rest of the teams at Camp Muir, you'll do yourself a huge favor. Nobody likes being stuck behind lines of large climbing groups on the treacherously rocky outcrops of the Cleaver. Also, manage your expectations appropriately. When we summitted it was completely cloudy and we couldn't see anything resembling a view, but the sense of accomplishment standing at the summit plaque was WELL enough for us!
5.0
After spending a week and a half trekking up to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the effortless drive on the north side to the Tibetan EBC was a real treat. For climbers, this side of the mountain is notorious for its high winds - and tourists will get to experience those too, just from the lookout point. I've heard all sorts of good and bad about the Chinese control of Everest access, hopefully the next time I visit here I'll have a climbing permit in hand.
5.0
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