Hike Review: Wildwood Canyon State Park

Location: near Yucaipa, CA
Distance: various trails (.5 to 8 miles)
Difficulty: various (easy to dificult)
Elevation Change: 0 to 1,800 feet
Time of Year Best: Year round (hot in summer)
Recommended Maps: Wildwood Canyon State Park Brochure

Grand Canyon Backpacking Checklist

Below is a link to a PDF document created and provided by Four Season Guides.  This is a basic list that I will be using as a checklist for my Grand Canyon adventure.

Grand Canyon Pack List

 

 

 

Book Review: Blind Man's Bluff

Title: Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage
Author: Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (October, 2000)
Genre: US History, Cold War, political thriller

From 1945 to 1991, the worlds super powers locked horns in a slow motion struggle for information.  The USSR and the USA did not trust each other and it became clear that an effective means to "watch" each other was waged via submerged sea faring vessel.  The era of the submarine began evolving at a furious rate to the point that a nuclear sub can remain underwater indefinitely, creating its own oxygen and water, food being the only limitation.

Blind Man's Bluff is a collection of stories, untold until the 21st century, of various missions made by the submariners during the Cold War.  From wiretaps into land lines made in Russian waters to men overboard, the stories are interesting, thrilling, and educational.

From a former Navy submariner, I have heard it argued that a lot of this book is compiled of exaggerations and even a little untruth.  These same former Navy also stated their displeasure with the book for its liberal manner in sharing tactics and strategy that are still in use today.

Hike Preview: Grand Canyon Hermits Rest Trail to Bright Angel Trail

Hermits Rest Trail-head

Location: South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Hermits Rest Trail Sign

Distance: 25 miles one way
Difficulty: difficult
Elevation Change: 5,000
Time of Year Best: Year-round
Recommended Maps: Grand Canyon Map Pack Bundle

Summary:  Hiking into the Canyon, obviously you are descending first.  Before going, know your limits, know the weather conditions, know the trail, and get yourself a good map.  This in particular is a tough hike; steep going down, and a long gradual hike out.  Water is erratically dispersed in different areas.  You will need a water purifier. I highly recommend the Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Microfilter. The conditions can be drastically different depending on if it is summer, winter, monsoon, or freezing.  The hermit trail portion of the trail has been reported to have been washed out in some spots.  So there will be some scrambling.

The Monument

This hike passes several camps and offers several side hikes to rapids, side canyons, overlooks, and springs.  The Hermit Trail (descending) has several washouts or rock slides that have covered the trail over the years and it may take some scrambling to maintain the trail.  This will slow down the hike and the huge climb out coupled with the distance of this hike make it very tough. It is highly recommended that you obtain a back country permit  and take at least two days to do this hike.

The Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Hermits Rest to Bright Angel: Gear List

This is a gear list for three people spending two nights in the Grand Canyon in late November.  This list is not a guaranteed "set" list.  You may add something where you see fit.

Gear List:

Sustenance

• lots of water - 2 liters per day, there are a few watering holes at which to fill up, but its good to have a little extra
• food - at least 4,000 calories worth per day, its good to have a little extra; food that stores well: energy bars, candy, dried fruit, canned goods, powdered food, etc. (we will put together a menu)

Clothing/Body Protection

• jacket/extra clothing - wear layers as the temp changes drastically and the wind most likely will be chilling (recommend three layers: jacket long sleeve shirt, t-shirt)
• hiking pants, shorts
• socks for five days; the trail could be muddy and there may be some creek crossings (having dry socks is a huge bonus)
• gloves
• Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat
• sunglasses
• rain gear

Accessories

• backpack to carry extra water, food, clothing, accessories
• sleeping bag

• tent (optional)
• sunscreen
• headlamp or flashlight
• TP - very important, i should have enough for everybody
• basic first aid kit
• sandals
• map (i will have)
• whistle
• book
• camera
• hiking sticks (takes weight off your knees and ankles)
• aspirin

Hike Review: Vivian Creek Camp in the San Gorgonio Wilderness

Location: San Gorgonio Wilderness near Forest Falls, CA
Distance: 2.4 miles round-trip
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Elevation Change: 1,200 feet
Time of Year Best: Spring to Fall
Recommended Maps: San Bernardino National Forest

Hike Review: Devils Punchbowl near Pearblossom, CA

Location: Angeles National Forest near Pearblossom, CA Distance: .3/1/7 miles (3 different hikes in the park)
Difficulty: moderate to easy
Elevation Change: 700 feet
Time of Year Best: Fall to Spring
Recommended Maps: Angeles National Forest