Lake Ibantik

I guess you could say this is where Trails We Hike was born. Jeremy and I had been camping separately in July and August of 2016 and Jeremy had still not made it out to my family cabin in Utah. I had just returned from there, but my birthday was coming up and had a 3-day weekend planned. All I really wanted to do was be back in the Uintas, so at the last minute, Jeremy and I decided to drive back to Utah and take in one last trip of the summer.

Luckily for Jeremy and me, we enjoy road trips. After driving from the Bay Area to Philadelphia (and then back a year later) when we were 21, 10 hours just isn’t that bad. Plus, the road, at least for us, is part of the trip. Our 3rd passenger on the search for that endless hike.

After watching Mile… Mile and a Half (again) and countless reruns of Adventure Archives in between their new releases, we took that inspiration, loaded up the truck with video gear and set out to capture a 2 day hike from Bald Mountain to the Crystal Lake Trail Head in the High Uintas.

Fully aware of our ignorance, we initially had intended for this to simply be a learning experience and perhaps get a couple shots for personal use, but we were happier than expected at the end of the process and have decided to share it here with you. Please enjoy as you follow along with us on the Trails We Hike!

• Video: Lake Ibantik, High Uintas
• Date: 2016-11-27

Castle Rock Falls Overlook

After catching the video bug once we returned from Utah, we knew this is something that we wanted to continue to do. However, only having a GoPro and iPhone to take video with, it was obvious that it was time to get a real camera. But which one?

We had mapped out a couple different paths and decided to rent some camera and lens combos and just start shooting. Once the first rentals showed up, we headed out to one of the closest state parks near us, Castle Rock.

Usually when heading up to Castle Rock, we would be going to Castle Rock itself to do some fantastic bouldering and/or rock climbing, but we wanted to try and see if we couldn’t get a some shots of the sunset and the best place to do so would be either at Castle Rock Falls or Goat Rock.

Along the way, we decided to shoot the hike as well and try to do some comparisons between the two camera and lens combos. Once returned, we realized we had enough footage to put together a short 5 minute Trails We Hike video and have shared that here. Please enjoy as you follow along with us on the Trails We Hike!

• Video: Falls Overlook, Castle Rock State Park
• Date: 2016-11-22

Sunset-Skyline Short Loop

As I had mentioned in the previous release, we were renting some different camera and lens combinations (the first 2 of which resulted in our 5-minute Trails We Hike episode at Castle Rock) before deciding on what we were going to purchase and our last test set had arrived. It was a beautiful day, so we grabbed our families and some friends and headed out to Big Basin.

I think the goal of this hike was to balance the efforts of trying to get as much footage as we could while not driving everyone else we brought insane with the stop, starts and restarts. When you’re used to just hiking, it can be a little different when you have two morons following after you and asking if you could take that bend just one more time.

With that in mind, we decided to take the Sunset-Skyline Short Loop, giving us options to use Middle Ridge Road to shorten the hike, if needed, as well as providing us with some different looks that Big Basin has to offer. Please enjoy as you follow along with us on the Trails We Hike!

• Video: Sunset-Skyline Short Loop, Big Basin State Park
• Date: 2016-11-27

Judge Davis Trail

After finally getting our new camera, a Sony a6500, it was time to take it out for a camping adventure!

We are part of a private Facebook group called People Are Bear Food, and a couple of members put a trip together in the Cache Creek Wilderness. The trip was planned weeks in advance, but we were lucky it actually happened. California had been experiencing heavy rainfall for days on end and there were a number of rock slides and road closures all over the Bay Area.

Fortunately, the sun came out just a couple days before the trip and dried things out enough that we were able to follow through with our plans. Though it was still plenty cold and wet for a bunch of Californians.

We followed the Judge Davis trail for roughly 5 miles until we reached Wilson Valley where we camped for the night beside Cache Creek. In the morning, we completed the out-and-back by making our way uphill and back to the truck.

The trip was a lot more scenic than we anticipated given the recent wildfires in the area. We plan to return in a couple of years to see how the flora, fauna, and wildlife are recovering.

To the 4 helpful and kind young women who helped a ragged Jim down the rest of the trail, we thank you!

• Video: Judge Davis Trail, Cache Creek
• Date: 2017-01-14

Little Yosemite

Jim’s brother Dave was able to join us for this quick day hike to Little Yosemite in the Sunol Regional Wilderness. There is some light, fairly gentle climbing in the first half of this (roughly) 4 mile loop where we got a glimpse of some cattle. No close encounters on this trip, which is always a distinct possibility as cows are often near or even on the trail at parts, but it was a beautiful day nonetheless.

As stated in our previous release, it had been raining in California. A lot. We were absolutely lucky to squeeze in the Cache Creek trip, as a new storm came in right as we left.

After about 10 days or so, the sky opened up, just for the weekend, before yet another front was on its way. So we threw our gear into the truck and headed for the Sunol Regional Wilderness while we could.

It was really great to see all the water flowing as much as it was there, just as we saw at Cache Creek. While the rain has possibly made it inconvenient to film a hike, it was obviously long overdue and a much welcomed sight.

Once we ended up on the fire road, closing out the loop, there were a few people getting an equestrian tour of the area, something anyone interested in a local horseback ride may want to keep in mind, especially beginners.

• Video: Little Yosemite, Sunol Wilderness
• Date: 2017-01-29

Arrowhead Trail

Jim’s family joins us as we check out a new hike in our area, the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. It’s roughly a 4 mile loop with about 800-900’ elevation gain, so a relatively easy trail. Combined with the proximity to major roads, this is a great spot to squeeze in an enjoyable hike that you might not otherwise have time for.

To be honest, we weren’t too sure what to expect given the fact that we were so close to the highway and main roads, but it sure didn’t disappoint. We were particularly lucky with our timing as well, just coming out of winter and one where we actually got some rain, the hills were really popping with color. The trail takes you far enough into the hills that you still get away and have some good views of the valley below.

It will be fun to see the rest of the loop when we come back without any dogs :) Oh well, live and learn. We hope you enjoy this episode and if you did, please click the “thumb’s up” and be sure to let us know if you have any questions or comments below.

• Video: Arrowhead Trail, Coyote Valley
• Date: 2017-02-25

Balconies Caves

Jim’s family joins us once again as we head to the Balconies Cave in Pinnacles National Park.

We did not disappoint in that we ended up having to change our initial route yet again. I’m sure these aren’t things can be fixed by better planning. They’re just unavoidable hurdles we have to consistently overcome ;)

The route we did take was a 2.5 mile “lollipop” loop, created by taking the Balconies Cave Trail and the Balconies Cliffs Trail.

A very enjoyable hike, again great for the whole family. The caves are a really nice destination as well, especially as it gets hotter. After hiking a little ways in the heat, you get to cool off, walking through the caves before heading back to the trails and eventually to the parking lot.

Getting to the caves is real flat, with a descent into the caves, making the trip back to the car a little more uphill than the start. Not too bad though as you do level out before reaching the parking lot, so it’s not a constant climb.

• Video: Balconies Caves, Pinnacles NP
• Date: 2017-03-19

Rock City

Follow along as we take a quick day hike through the Rock City area of Mt Diablo State Park in the East Bay Area of California.

We didn’t end up making it out to Sentinel Rock (perhaps the biggest attraction in Rock City) as once we got to the crucial junction to make that happen, our instincts were to keep circling back to where we started. Which was the opposite direction of Sentinel Rock.

Regardless, we were able to refresh ourselves with the hikes in the area and learn some awesome things about the mountain that we hadn’t known before.

The Rock City area is a great spot to hike with the whole family as the trails are not very long and are pretty flat. And then there’s the hike to the summit. There’s actually a few different hikes you can take to the summit, as starting at the bottom is one serious hike. Although there is a fairly easy-moderate hike you can take to get to the summit and see the little museum they have up there too.

• Video: Rock City, Mt Diablo
• Date: 2017-03-31

West Valley

We drove up to the Bridalveil Falls parking lot for a quick day hike on the Valley Loop Trail.

After spending the majority of the hike on the valley floor, we round this one out with a jaunt up the Rock Fall Trail for some unique views of the valley.

• Video: West Valley, Yosemite
• Date: 2017-4-2

Mississippi Lake

We drove into the heart of Henry Coe State Park for a day hike to Mississippi Lake for the once-a-year back-country weekend (BCW) event.

• Video: Mississippi Lake, Henry Coe State Park
• Date: 2017-4-28

Calaveras Big Tree State Park

For this week’s episode, we headed out to another familiar area for us. Arnold, California, on our way to Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

• Video: Calaveras Big Tree State Park, North Grove
• Date: 2017-5-27

Henry Cowell State Park

TBD

• Video: Henry Cowell State Park, North Grove
• Date: 2017-5-28

East Valley Floor Loop

We set out from the Happy Isles shuttle bus stop, hiking around the east valley, completing our loop of the valley floor.

• Video: East Valley Floor Loop, Yosemite
• Date: 2017-7-2

Old Mine Trail To Senador Mine Trail

TBD

• Video: Old Mine Trail To Senador Mine Trail, Almaden QuickSilver County Park
• Date: 2017-12-23

Bear Gulch Caves & Reservoir

TBD

• Video: Bear Gulch Caves & Reservoir, Pinnacles National Park
• Date: 2017-12-24

Bouldering

Join us on a slightly different episode as we take the short hike to Castle Rock proper and check out some of the rock climbing and amazing bouldering that can be found throughout the park. We’ll stop by Jumbalia, The Magoos, Castle Rock and Parking Lot Rock.

• Video: Bouldering, Castle Rock State Park
• Date: 2018-2-3

Plank Walk & Verna Dunshee Trails

Follow along as we head out to Mt Tam, just north of San Francisco and Muir Woods. We start out hiking the Verna Dunshee trail which loops around Mt Tam near the peak. After that we head up to the east peak of Mt Tam via the Plank Walk Trail.

Chasing birds around a mountain. Meeting an infant hiker out on her very first hike. Walking the Plank to a rocky end. We don’t get out to the north bay very often, but hikes like this remind us of how much is within reach of a single day and a little effort.

• Video: Plank Walk & Verna Dunshee Trails, Mt Tamalpais State Park
• Date: 2018-2-17

Frog Lake

Follow along as our resident Henry Coe expert Matt joins us on another adventure, this time to Frog Lake.

• Video: Frog Lake, Henry Coe State Park
• Date: 2018-2-25

Barker Dam

Join us on a short day hike to Barker Dam, otherwise known as Big Horn Dam, in Joshua Tree National Park. Apologies for some audio issues due to the high winds in the desert.

• Video: Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park
• Date: 2018-3-24