Hiking in the USA
Read all about my hikes in California, Utah and Arizona.
SEKI Loop Day 2: Forester Pass and beyond
The second day of my SEKI Loop took me to the really High Sierra. Despite four days of acclimatization, the altitude still slowed me down to half my normal hiking speed. But I did climb Forester Pass: the highest point on the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail and the border of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
SEKI Loop Day 1: to Upper Vidette Meadow
The Sequoia Kings / SEKI Loop is a less crowded alternative for the John Muir Trail, without the difficulty to get a permit. I had been planning my SEKI-Loop trail thoroughly last year. But of course, everything went completely different. Because not a million spreadsheets, vlogs or gearlists can prepare you for the devastating beauty and power of the High Sierra.
The Colors of Kodachrome Basin
Kodachrome Basin State Park is neighbour to Bryce Canyon National Park. Both parks share the rich red colors and strange rock formations, but Kodachrome offers more solitude. It’s quiet here, and empty. Full of amazing views, nice hiking trails and a main campground that offers a shady, green oasis in the barren desert landscape.
My High Sierra Gear List
Preparing my thru-hike in California’s High Sierra, I have read and viewed many gear lists that have inspired me to compile my own. Except for my hiking pants and shirt, my boots and my iPhone, everything I will carry in the High Sierra this summer is on the above photograph. Read on for the complete list.
The Other Zion: Kolob Canyon
Zion National Park being such a busy tourist hotspot, we took a hike at the north-western part of the park: the relatively unknown but beautiful Kolob Canyons. Here we found no crowds, a refreshing creek, Navajo Sandstone walls in the most impressive red colors and a beautiful natural feature at the end of the trail.
10.000 ft High at Cedar Breaks
Cedar Breaks National Monument may be relatively unknown, but it is a major natural wonder in itself. It features dramatic red rock formations and 1,600 years old Bristlecone Pine trees. Thunder and lightning made us shorten our hike to just three miles. But what awesome three miles they were.
A Walk in the Water: Sulphur Creek Trail
Waterfalls, narrows, rock climbs, waist-deep cool waters and spectacular canyon views: the Sulphur Creek Trail was one of the highlights of our 2017 trip in Utah.
Planning the Big SEKI Loop
With less crowds and no permit stress, The Big SEKI Loop is a great alternative to the John Muir Trail (JMT). And because it’s a loop, you don’t need additional transport back to your car. That makes planning much easier. For better resupply options I planned a route different than usual, making it a Big SEKI Flip.
The Big Bad Bear canister
The Sierra Nevada is bear country. Bears are usually found between 3000 to 7000 feet, where they can find their natural foods. But black bears like human food as well: anything from a Snickers bar to toothpaste.
Wilderness Permits (and a Devastated Bridge)
I had a dream. Hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT): the 210.4 miles (339 km) long trail trough the Sierra Nevada. But because the required wilderness permit is extremely hard to obtain, I looked for an alternative.