One-word summary of this outing: Wet. Sweat on the way up, rain on the way down. I finished soaked from the top of my cap to the soles of my shiny new New Balance trail runners. Yes, I took rain…
92 search results for "wildflowers"
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain: Swinging Bridge and MacRae Peak
by tom • June 6, 2010 • 19 Comments
This is a great combo if you’re into contrasts: start out with a sane, scenic hike to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, then move on to the utterly crazy ridge route to Macc Peak. There’s a certain sanity to the…
Tom's travels
Blue Ridge Parkway — southernmost section
by tom • May 24, 2010 • 4 Comments
South Mountains State Park
First look: South Mountains State Park
by tom • May 16, 2010 • 8 Comments
It took me 30 years to rediscover how much I liked walking in the woods, so I guess it’s an improvement that it took a mere nine months to discover a park that suits me almost perfectly. South Mountains State…
Grandfather Mountain
Summit bagged: Calloway Peak at Grandfather Mountain
by tom • May 2, 2010 • 10 Comments
I knew this climb would not be a picnic — three miles of trail and 2,000 feet of ascent separate Calloway Peak from the Boone Fork trailhead at mile 299.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Don’t let the short distance…
Stone Mountain State Park
First hike: Stone Mountain State Park
by tom • September 29, 2009 • 7 Comments
Got this one right the first time (for once): There’s a parking lot at either end of the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop. I started at the Upper Lot Trailhead and did what’s become instinctive: followed the arrows to the waterfalls.…
Two-Heel Drive’s Guide to Bay Area hiking
Quick Links 10 essentials for happy hiking My favorite Bay Area hikes Five great hikes for Bay Area travelers. Notable Bay Area hiking clubs Dog-friendly parks in the Bay Area Pro-grade maps Best time of year to hike Best places…
Año Nuevo State Preserve
Año Nuevo for the elephant seal molt
by tom • July 13, 2009 • 5 Comments
Every winter, the shoreline at Año Nuevo State Natural Reserve becomes jammed with amorous elephant seals. They’re all gone by spring but in the summer a few of the males return to shed their hide, which comes off in large…
Travel
Best day hikes in Monterey County
by tom • July 3, 2009 • 2 Comments
Point Lobos State Preserve Seemonterery.com suggests nine worth tramping. Frankly you cannot go wrong on any of the hikes along the Pacific Coast from Monterey down deep into Big Sur. I’ve done Point Lobos a few times, and camped out…