I was ready for the long stretches without water sources, the midday heat, and trail closures due to wildfires and endangered frogs. I knew exactly where to find the big elevation gains, confusing trail splits, and major road crossings. But, as I section-hiked the PCT...
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Apples. Pumpkins. Hayrides. Animals. Fall is a great season to bring the little ones to a local farm. These three family-friendly spots featured in Visit California Farms, by Erin Mahoney Harris, are the perfect place to celebrate the season. Slide Ranch Muir Beach, CA Situated on 134 picturesque acres overlooking the bluffs of Muir Beach just...
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The timing of my backpacking trip through the Sierras had more to do with permit availability than with peak fall colors or precipitation levels. But I lucked out in both areas: There was no rain and plenty of beautiful foliage during a four-day trip along...
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This is a great month to plan a weekend getaway—to somewhere close that still feels like a vacation. You want to unplug and unwind, but you don’t want the hassle of camping for this trip. You want a comfortable bed to sink into, but not at a chain hotel. So...
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Ah, the life of a PCT thru-hiker. Carrying all your worldly possessions on your back day in and day out, not unlike a turtle. Since I've done this thru-hiking thing a time or three, I have a pretty good grasp on what exactly I need,...
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While still in John Muir Trail territory, my son and I set up a fantastic bivy site for the night high over an absolutely gorgeous lake, the name of which doesn't matter because they're all beautiful. The site was nearly a mile from the lake's shore and...
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Back in June, I got to meet Mike White, author of Lassen Volcanic National Park, at two Sportsman's Warehouse events in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. He strongly encouraged the #YourLead van to pay a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park, an often-overlooked park nestled in...
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A lot of you may wonder what a day in the life of a PCT thru-hiker is like. Is it all fun and games? Do we sleep late and take lots of naps? Is it stressful and miserable? Is there any rhyme or reason to...
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PCT Days celebrated its 10th anniversary this year in a typically jubilant and down-to-earth style. Current thru-hikers mixed with PCT alumni and local section hikers at Oregon's Cascade Locks Marine Park, while a lineup of outdoor adventure retailers and cottage-industry folks displayed products ranging from...
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Summer adds a new layer of complication for section hikers in Southern California. Wildfires and triple-digit temperatures are common, so extra care and planning are absolutely necessary. The Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita area, which burned 41,000 acres in late July and required 42 firefighting...
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