I thought it just added extra miles for no good reason. But last trip, a bear on the main path forced me to divert, and I found the river route way more scenic and calm.
Who knew being followed by goats for three miles would make a route so unforgettable?
I just finished planning a week-long loop in the Sierra Nevadas. It's a big step for me, but now I see I need overnight permits. How do you apply for these without messing up the dates?
I live in a rural area with an old logging road behind my house. It might connect to the state park backpacking network. Has anyone mapped this out? I'm concerned about private land and trail conditions.
Honestly, everyone talks about the peace of solo hikes. Ngl, being alone on a remote route got to me after a while. Having a pal there kept my spirits high.
I used to assume rivers would be easy to cross. Now I look up recent water levels and scout alternatives. It turned a potential problem into a smooth hike last month.