The North Cascades are the most rugged and wild mountains in the contiguous United States. They are heavily glaciated and often difficult to access. I have been climbing in the North Cascades for many years and the breathtaking scenery never gets old. Here are some adventure run ideas I have for the Cascades this summer:…
2011 Adventure Run Ideas – High Sierra
– The spectacular High Sierra features almost limitless opportunities for exploration. Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to visit many places in the “range of light” but the gorgeous views and memorable experiences keep me coming back for more! Here are some adventure run ideas for the High Sierra for this…
Mount Tam Long Run!
Yesterday I enjoyed an awesome run on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais with Joel. The weather was spectacular with clear skies and relatively warm temperatures. The hills were vibrant with fresh green grass and multitudes of wildflowers. This combination made for some phenomenal photography opportunities. We started at Pantoll and ran the Coastal Trail/Bolinas Fire Road…
Skyline to the Sea 50k 2011
I look forward to Pacific Coast Trail Runs (PCTR) Skyline to the Sea 50k every year and it was no different on my fourth year running the event. The point-to-point route from Saratoga Gap to Waddell Beach utilizes some of the best single track trails anywhere and passes through the heart of Big Basin Redwoods…
Tourist Club SF
The Tourist Club SF is a sweet destination on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais. The German themed chalet is a private club except for limited hours on most weekends. There is a beautiful view overlooking Muir Woods and a selection of German beers are served on tap along with pickles, sausages, and a few other…
Royal Gorge Cross Country
Royal Gorge is North America’s largest cross country ski resort offering a staggering 65 different groomd trails totalling 195 km skiable terrain. Even on the busiest weekend days it never feels crowded. The extensive network of trails features something for everyone, from easy flat paths to hilly advanced courses. The trails travel through extremely pleasant alpine forest,…
McWay Falls
The most iconic image of the Big Sur coastline is McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The accessibility couldn’t be any easier for the tourists. The paved overlook path is less than 0.25 miles from the parking making this a must-stop for the amateur and professional photographer alike. Interestingly, however, the beach below…
2011 Cone Peak “Sea to Sky”
Last year’s “Sea to Sky” adventure run up Cone Peak was so awesome that I came back to do it again in 2011! The description of the run below is largely based on last year’s post. Many more photos in the complete album here. Cone Peak is a spectacular summit along the rugged Big Sur Coast….
Long Ridge – Stegner Bench
Stegner Bench is a large stone bench in a grassy meadow with stellar views of the Pescadero watershed all the way out to the San Mateo coastline. The bench makes for a fantastic rest stop or a picnic location. It is located in often overlooked Long Ridge Open Space Preserve and can be accessed either from the north…
Castle Rock State Park
Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains features miles of beautiful trails. The park is most known for its impressive sandstone formations, including Castle Rock and Goat Rock. However, the park’s excellent network of trails also afford sweeping views and pass through pleasant forest. On a clear day from the Saratoga Gap Trail or Ridge…