To tent or not to tent…

In the past I have backpacked with a two-person tent as well as a bivy and tarp.  Since my bivy is pretty old and is maybe not so “waterproof”, I opted to go with a solo backpacking tent for my upcoming adventure.

Choosing a house for three weeks on the trail might seem like a difficult task; however I was lucky enough to receive Backpacker Magazine’s Gear of the Year issue right around the time I was trying to decide.  Score!  I quickly locked eyes on the newest one-person ultralight tent from Sierra Designs: High Side.  Given that our two-person tent is the same brand and I like its features, this made my decision a piece of cake (or so I thought…)

I ordered it straight away from an online retailer that I was familiar with but had yet to order from.  They were surprisingly one of the only websites that carried it aside from the manufacturer themselves AND at a slight discount from MSRP.  I read their policy saying that items tend to ship anywhere in between 7-16 days.  Perfect since it was the end of March.  Plenty of time (eye roll.)

At the 21 day mark I thought it might be a good time to email customer service to see what’s up.  I got a fairly quick response saying that they were scheduled to receive it May 12 – okay that’s not horrible; I can wait.  As you may have guessed May 12 came and went with no tent.  I responded again to the email simply to check in; this time taking a little longer to respond, the representative apologized for not responding sooner but assured me that the tent would be arriving May 18 and that I should receive by the end of May.  Okay again not horrible but I was now significantly pressed for time to practice with it.  Sure enough May flies by and now we’re in June – still no tent.  I called this time and spoke with a guy who was clearly unimpressed and asked if I wanted to cancel my order.  No I don’t want to cancel my order – I just want the damn tent and a straight answer!  He then assured me I was first on the list to receive the tent once they receive their shipment and that maybe I should contact the manufacturer to see what’s up (um isn’t that your job?!)

At this point I had to start researching other options.  I’m now not only stressed about finding something comparable but also not going to be able to test drive whatever I end up with.  ARGH.  But I was able to find the MSR Freelite 1 with similar specs and a decent price.  I promptly ordered this new tent in hopes that I could put this issue to rest and cancel my other order.

At last on a Wednesday in June a week and a half before I’m scheduled to be California bound, my tent arrives!  Hallelujah!  Now I can finally cancel that stupid order and be done with them.  I called them up and spoke with a new representative who as soon as I ask to cancel my order (THAT I PLACED IN MARCH) was very kind and assured me it would not be a problem (must happen often eh?)  He took care of everything and even waited on the line with me while I triple checked that I in fact had not yet been charged for it and kindly agreed to pass on my feedback about my experience.  I did also contact the manufacturer just out of curiosity to ask when they would be receiving a new stock for that tent.  He told me August!  Ha!  Good thing I didn’t wait around any longer.

Either way I’m excited to try out this new tent and will hopefully have a positive review to leave here when I return.

Happy (tent) camping!

We all know it’s really about the food

The past couple of weeks I’ve been researching food options for the trail. Fortunately I won’t have the added complications of shipping out food drops since my wonderful partner will be hiking them in for me on a perfectly curated schedule (thanks Alex!) However the task of meal planning, labeling, and packing is still quite daunting.

I’ve found some great resources online through various blogs and Instagram posts; however I’m most excited about trying some of the recipes from a book I acquired some time ago called Lip Smackin’ Vegetarian Backpackin‘. This book contains “trail approved” recipes tested by the first guy, Brian “Flyin’ Brian” Robinson, to complete the Triple Crown of thru hiking (PCT, AT, CDT). Some of the recipes I look forward to trying are Rib-Stickin’ Ramen and Triple Crown Curry Couscous.

Also you guys I found the BEST trail indulgence. They’re called Packaroons (basically packable macaroons) and they are delightful! They come in several flavors like amaretto, lemon lavender, and BLACK ESPRESSO (can you say heavenly?!) I plan to pack one package in each of my resupply bundles as a special treat.

What are some of your favorite meals/snack/treats for the trail?

Happy hiking!

John Muir 2018

Okay I know I said I was going to venture out on my thru-hike of the JMT 4 years ago, but hey, sometimes things in life change and opportunities arise that feel right to go in one direction opposed to another.

{enter a brief life story/}

2014 was the year I decided I would hike the JMT. I was researching, blog writing, gear reviewing, all of it. Then unbeknownst to me the most amazing human entered my life. I had gone through quite a bit in the few years prior; a death in the family, a divorce, getting used to life on my own again after 10 years. I surely wasn’t ready to be in a new relationship and never could have imagined that I would then 2 years later uproot and move to Colorado – away from California where I had grown up, made friends, had a great and stable career. And yet I’ve never been happier.

Now having lived in the beautiful landscape of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, I’ve had this longing of getting back to the Eastern Sierras of California. I needed to hike the JMT.

{and we begin the story again}

I’m now in full swing planning to go this June/July over 3 weeks. Fortunately this time around I have an amazing support crew (and doggo) who will hike in my food drops (and hopefully some beer!) and hike/camp along with me for a couple of stretches throughout my journey. I’ve decided I will be posting entries here for those of you who’d like to benefit from the research (as I have from MANY before me) and/or be willing to offer tips and tricks (there’s ALWAYS more to learn!)

Thanks in advance for your support and I look forward to hearing from you all!

Amelia

Point Reyes – Coast Camp to Glen Camp Loop

Point Reyes National Seashore

First backpacking trip of the year and I’m happy to report that it was a blast!  This was a great way to test out some of my new gear, practice setting up my tarp shelter and deal with a little rain.  We drove over on Tuesday morning and picked up our permit from the Bear Valley Visitors Center around noon.  From there we headed over to the Laguna Trailhead and headed down the Coast Trail.  The trail was exploding with wildflowers since the weather had been so nice in the previous weeks before we got there.

Not sure what this is, but it was pretty

Lupine in full bloom

Beautiful Iris

Something called a Firecracker?

Looks like purple fried eggs

Right at Coast Camp, you are greeted with a trail down to the beach; a nice place to stop after the first couple miles. But the first really gorgeous views you get are at Arch Rock. We took a moment here to take some pictures and have a snack. Simply amazing.

View from Arch Rock

View from Arch Rock

Next we continued on the Bear Valley Trail toward the Glen Camp Loop Trail which brings you into a beautiful canopied forested area. This section of trail follows a creek lined with mossy trees – quite a relaxing walk.

Bear Valley Trail

And finally after about 10 miles of hiking we arrive at our camp for the night: Glen Camp.  Comprised of 8 sites, Glen Camp is the most inland of the backcountry camps in Point Reyes (which also makes it the easiest to reserve for a more last minute trip.)  It also has a couple of pit toilets, trash/recycling bins and potable water.  We were quite comfortable in spot number 7.

View from Site 7

Glen Camp

The boys decided to share a tent, but I was prepared to practice with my bivy sack and tarp shelter.  After waking up to rain and the fact that I was completely dry, I’d say it was a success!

Tarp Shelter with Bivy

After a very casual morning (the boys got up around 9:30am whereas I’d been up since 6:30am enjoying some quiet time), we packed up and headed out of camp to finish out our last 8 miles beginning on the remainder of the Glen Loop Trail.  This section was actually more of a access/fire road then a trail so we took advantage of being able to walk next to each other for a change.  After a short walk we arrive at the junction for the Glen Trail.  This trail was a very welcoming forested area and a fairly flat portion which proved to be helpful considering what we would encounter next on the Baldy Trail.

Glen Trail

Glen Trail

Me on Glen Trail

Holy crap.  Straight.  Up.  Hill.  It seemed like it would never end.  Fortunately the reason for all of that climbing is made clear when you reach expansive views of the coast and Drakes Bay.

Coastal View

Coastal View

Coastal View

Happy Girl

In the end, I think we had a very successful trip.  I can’t wait to get out there again.

I definitely learned a few things:

• REI is like Home Depot.  When you think you have everything, you find yourself needing to go back to buy what you forgot or return/exchange what you though would work.

• Breathable hiking boots are definitely not water resistant to hiking through miles of wet grass and brush.  I had soggy feet in a matter of minutes.

• I need a more packable sleeping bag.  Not only does my synthetic 20 degree bag weigh over 5 pounds, but it was like wrestling a hyena trying to fit it into a compression sack small enough to fit in my pack.

• Trekking poles are amazingly useful and versatile pieces of equipment.  I don’t know how I would have made it up the Baldy Trail without them.

And in case you were wondering, of course we took craft beer and it was definitely worth the extra weight.  Also, check out my Gear Reviews section now that I’ve had the opportunity to test some of my gear!  Cheers!

21st Amendment Brew Free or Die! IPA

Jenkinson Lake – Sly Park Recreation Area

Walter E. Jenkinson

I’ve been lucky lately to work in locations that lend themselves nicely to a hike or trail run afterwards.  Last summer I did a half marathon trail race in the Sly Park Recreation Area, which is about 60 miles West of Lake Tahoe.  It was one of the hardest races I’ve ever done (keeping in mind that I’m a marathon runner), but it was beautiful.  So knowing that I was going to be working out near that area, I took advantage of planning to hike the 8.5 miles loop trail around Jenkinson Lake.  I later agreed to work a job in the evening, but didn’t want to forgo my hike, so the hike quickly became a trail run (done in half the time!)  And I’m so glad I went!  If you want a nice mellow trail (at least during the day mid-week) with picturesque views of the lake, trees, and Sierras, this is a real treat!

Bumpy Meadows Trailhead

I started out from the convenient parking lot at Bumpy Meadows just off of Mormon Emigrant Trail Road.  $5 to park and plenty of spaces mid-week, although I was informed that occasionally during the off-season this parking area is closed (mainly due to snow) leaving parking options to the main road with much fewer spots.  From here you’re pretty much a few steps away from the lake.

Jenkinson Lake

The trail follows the shore of the lake pretty much the entire loop except for a few places when it turns into a road through the very popular campground areas.  The trail is well established and very well marked especially at the points where the horse trail splits and reconvenes with the main trail.  I did however run into some unexpected short, steep climbs.

Good for hill training!

And then I spotted something which made me think about being more prepared with bug spray!

Yellow Jacket Trap

The next few miles of the trail were marvelous bringing me across quiet sitting areas and creeks with the comforting sounds of rushing waters.

Meditative Spot

Park Creek

Park Creek Bridge

A nice day for sailing as well!

Sailboat on the Lake

I’ve definitely decided I want to do this loop again.  It’s a little ways from Sacramento, but totally worth the drive and a great place to stop going to and from Lake Tahoe.  I was a very happy girl yesterday!

Post Trail Run

 

 

Sweetwater Trail, wait… what?

This past weekend in Sacramento was gorgeous! Since I was out in the Folsom area on Saturday, I decided to go for a quick hike near Folsom Lake. With my 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Sacramento book in hand, I set out to find the Sweetwater Trail which is about 10 miles North of Highway 50 near El Dorado Hills. I followed the directions exactly and was pretty sure that I’d found the appropriate parking area; however, when I walked down to the trail head this is what I saw…

Brown’s Ravine Trail Head

It was already close to 3:00 pm and wanted to get in 6 miles so I thought, “What the heck,” and started down the trail.

Views of Folsom Lake

Views of Folsom Lake

Views of Folsom Lake

Views of Folsom Lake

All in all it was a great day and a nice quiet hike. I still prefer the Auburn State Recreation Area to the Folsom Lake Recreation Area for hikes, but this was a nice excuse to get out while I was in Folsom. Oh and did I forget to mention why I was in Folsom? The REI used gear sale. Yes, guilty as charged, but look forward to some gear reviews from me soon!

Upper Bidwell Park – Chico, CA

I had a job out of town on Friday, so I took the opportunity to check out a hiking area in Chico, which also happens to be the home of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (more on that later!)  I consulted with a few of my Sacramento friends who had previously lived in Chico about where I should go to hike and they told me, hands down, Upper Bidwell Park.  The land for Bidwell Park was donated by John and Annie Bidwell in 1905 for recreational use.  It turns out that Annie, being a strong supporter of prohibition, mandated that there be no alcohol allowed on the premises and no public picnics on Sundays.  Although the alcohol mandate still applies today, I highly doubt that people aren’t allowed to picnic on Sundays judging from the amount of people that were enjoying themselves there on Friday.

Upper Bidwell Park Trailhead Map

I started out parking near Horseshoe Lake, which wasn’t much of a lake, but more like a giant mud puddle.  However, people were kayaking around in it, so I’m guessing it has some depth.  From Parking Area B, I hopped on the North Rim Trail.

North Rim Trail

I decided I wanted to practice carrying a little more weight, so I strapped on my day pack with all of my overnight stuff in it, and headed up the trail.  It was a gorgeous day (around 75 degrees!) and plenty of people were taking advantage of the trails.  I quickly hiked toward the junction to Middle Trail which would take me by Monkeyface, a rock formation that apparently looks like a monkey’s face, but I couldn’t see its resemblance.  Regardless, I continued down Middle Trail and to the top of Monkeyface.  I encountered a grandmother and her grandchildren having lunch at the top – cute!  From there I caught the remaining loop section of the North Rim Trail, and followed it right back around to the Parking Area.

View from atop Monkeyface

Lone early wildflower

All in all I hiked about 3 miles in 1 hour carrying my 20 lb pack and I felt great!  Aside from the hiking, I was able to enjoy a few beers at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company before heading out of town!  I’ll leave you with this mouth watering picture.  Until next time – cheers!

Left to Right: Double-headed Ruthless Rye, Ovila Quad, Fungoo, French Saison

American Canyon/Dead Truck Trail

Today I was able to get out for a quick 2 hour hike near Georgetown in the Auburn State Recreation Area (about 30 miles East of Sacramento) on the American Canyon Trail.  This is a easy to moderate 5.3 mile loop trail with a great amount of shaded sections (great for the summer heat in Sacramento!)  And although I wasn’t able to find the trail that lead to the waterfall bragged about in my guide book, it was still a nice hike.  It covers some of the sections from the Western States Trail which hosts many annual races including horse and trail running.  This is a great beginning trail to take occasional hikers on; they won’t be bored and will have a decent challenge.  For more experienced hikers, this will be a breeze.  I look forward to more hikes in this area.

American Canyon Trailhead

Hoboken Creek

Wendell Robie Trail Marker

And the fun begins…

So remember that post about how excited I was to have my first backpack and was heading to REI to ask them to fit it to me?  Turns out the clearance that, just so happens to be calling me to buy it and kick off my planning, Osprey Kestrel 68, doesn’t fit.  Poo.  The one time it works against me to be skinny and short.  When I cinched it up the hip pads were touching each other giving it no room to get smaller (as I will inevitably loose more weight while on the JMT trip.)  AND my torso measures at 16 and the Kestrel’s smallest set up is 18.  So there I was starting over with the part I’d thought I’d got checked off my list.  Fortunately a wonderful employee named Katie came to my rescue.  She very quickly pulled a few packs down that fit the bill of a Women’s XSmall.  I tried the Gregory Deva 70 and that was a quick no.  After filling the pack with 25 pounds worth of sand bags (of varying weights) and putting it on, I was immediately greeted with a very unpleasant protruding “support” in my lumbar region.  Ick.  The other remaining options were the Deuter ACT Lite 60+10 SL and pretty much nothing else in the size I was looking for.  After trying the Deuter and not loving it, Katie called her co-worker Jason for back up.  He promptly suggested the Osprey Ariel to which Katie promptly contested that it didn’t come small enough.  To prove it she brought out the list of all the backpacks that REI carries and it said the Ariel, at it’s smallest, was 18.  Jason then saved the day by letting Katie and I know that that was simply a misprint.  It did indeed come in a 16 and they happened to have one in stock for me to try.  After going back and forth between the Deuter and the Osprey, I decided to go with… the Osprey.

Second time’s a charm?

The Deuter felt like it was pulling backwards from my chest strap with the weight in it and I simply couldn’t give up all the great feel and features of the Osprey pack.  Hopefully this pack will serve me well.  I look forward to getting to know it better on several trips this year, including the Tahoe Rim Trail.  Cheers!

Gear, gear, gear

So now that I’ve decided to finally get out there, I need gear.  I went to the library and checked out what seems like a gazillion books on trails and beginning backpacking advice.

A little out of control, am I right?

The problem with borrowing these types of books from the library is that they’re mostly outdated.  Some of the trail books are fine as not too much has changed with those (and I can verify the information with what’s online) but the updates in recent years to the gear, especially with the ultralight movement, have been phenomenal.  I’ve been scanning these books for general information, but mostly end up relying on resources from the web.  I’ve found some great blogs and review sites like Calipidder.com and BackpackGearTest.org which have helped me narrow down some things.

The other morning I was hanging out in bed checking my email and of course I had an email from REI for another clearance sale.  Normally I’ll browse what’s on sale and not end up buying anything; however, this time I noticed a backpack on sale.  I did a quick search for some reviews on this particular backpack and most everyone had good things to say about it.  So I bought it.  And it arrived in the mail today. Behold!

Osprey Kestrel 68

My very first backpack, exciting right?!  Now my only problem is that I have no idea how to size it, so I think I’ll head down to REI in the next couple of days and ask them to help with fitting it to me properly.  Doing so also gives me an excuse to browse all the other things I’ll be needing to buy over the next couple of months.  Well that does it for now, I’m off to read some more.  Plus it’s Sacramento Beer Week and will definitely be out drinking some amazing craft beer later.  Toodles!