Legend has it that Klallam and Quiluete tribes of the area were fighting in the area. Mount Storm King heard of this fight and threw a boulder down, damming the rivers, forming the present-day Lake Crescent. This lake is the second deepest in the state of Washington and the phenomenal colors of the area slow down traffic quite a bit as people want to gaze at its beauty.

....

Only when the weather is cooperating. A drive along the 101 is quite fast and casual when it's raining. Despite the weather, the lake was a vivid emerald and had very clear water. On sunnier days, this place is a haven for weary travelers. With campgrounds, day hikes, waterfall trails, swimming and boating opportunities, there's bound to be something for everyone.








Lake Crescent
Launching point: Storm King Ranger Station (multiple pull-out points along Highway 101 as well)

Happy travels!
Cat

(visited in June 2016)

Surprisingly, after passing through the heavily trafficked Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center parking lot, few people were attempting the Hurricane Hill trail. This trail is wonderful for its views of the mountain range that forms part of Olympic National Park, the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Vancouver Island.

The views are wonderfully expansive and from what I've seen in movies and pictures, I could almost be in Austria or Switzerland! The trail continues towards the north before making some switchbacks up to the peak. Along the way are signs that explain the background of the flora and fauna that inhabit this region as well as the geology of the mountains.


After the final switchback, an information placard at a clearing showcases several landmarks, like the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, Port Angeles. Be weary of strong winds though, which is probably why this trail was named Hurricane Hill. After spending some time on the hill, head back to the trailhead on the same trail.





Wildlife sightings were quite common along the trail. I saw quite a few deer and the interaction of the marmot and the deer in the bottom right picture was calm and mutual.



Olympic National Park: Hurricane Hill
Start: Hurricane Hill parking lot (beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center)
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Length: 3.2 miles RT
Danger: windy,
Exposure: open
Crowd Factor: moderate

Happy travels!
Cat

(hike completed in June 2016)

The drive up to the trailhead was pretty scenic. After passing through cool and foggy Half Moon Bay and turning onto Purisma Creek Canyon Road, the fog disappeared and the sun shone intensely as I passed a lot of grassy hillsides dotted by cows and the occasional house.

For much of Purisma Creek Redwood Trail, it is relatively flat with some incline and mostly shaded. I noticed that families stuck to the beginning of Purisma Creek Redwood Trail and turned back, which makes it a nice gentle stroll for those looking for an easier hike.


After awhile, second-growth redwoods start popping up here and there. These young trees are around 100 years old, while old growth forests can reach ages of around 1,000 years old. Truly incredible until a lot of the woods were cut down in the early 20th century.




The redwoods are in full force towards the end of the Purisma Creek Redwood Trail and the beginning to middle of the Craig Britton trail. The bench at the beginning of the Craig Britton trail was a bit of a let down. The bench is in memory of a trail stalwart. This rest stop doesn't provide a grand overlook - it's a view of numerous redwood trees, which there are plenty more along the trail.




Although the hike is long in terms of mileage, the trail is surprisingly fairly even with the occasional climb and descent. Though, don't let the climb at the end of the Craig Britton trail fool you. This open exposure section has lovely grasses and flowers and even views of the ocean!




Be careful of the hill on the descent of the Harkins Ridge Trail. This trail is brutal if you're interested in doing the trail clockwise, as the trail is mostly exposed, has a fairly steep elevation change and can be slippery with a lot of loose dirt and rocks. After awhile, the trail leveled out for a bit, giving my knees a break after going down the hill before going for another round of a steep descent.



Cross the bridge and you're back at the trailhead!

Purisma Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve: Purisma Creek - Craig Britton - Harkins Ridge Trail
Start: Purisma Creek Canyon Road parking lot
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: moderately easy
Length: 7.1 miles
Danger: steep hill on Harkins Ridge Trail
Exposure: mostly shaded in the beginning, open towards the middle and end
Crowd factor: moderately low

(hike completed in June 2016)

Happy travels!
Cat

Pinnacles National Park recently transitioned to National Park status a couple years ago, and the park is so close to home for me! It's a great day trip from the Bay Area in the North, San Luis Obispo in the South, or Fresno in the east. Interestingly, Pinnacles used to be part of a volcano down near Los Angeles. After many millions of years of plate tectonics and erosions, the western part is now in its present location. Now, the park is home to the endangered condor and bats. The condor is the largest bird in North America, and thanks to conservation efforts, its population is slowly growing from its near extinct phase in the late 20th century!

Along the hike, I was surprised to see rock climbers so close to the trail. There are actually numerous places to start; the signs on the trail make it obvious. Spot the climbers in the photo below!





When we visited the Bear Gulch Cave, it was closed to hikers due to bats roosting and raising their young. Check the status of the caves in advance if you would like to visit the cave. Though we did get a glimpse of the massive rocks and boulders that the bats chose as their home, we weren't able to see much and continued along to the reservoir.


After climbing the stairs, we came to the Bear Gulch Reservoir, a man-made place that is a nice place to take a break and eat lunch!

After taking an extended break, we headed south a bit towards Chalone Peak, but then turned around, deciding to take the Rim Trail back to the car.



My friend and I were a bit disappointed that we didn't see the condors and the bats. A ranger informed us that the condors generally hang around the High Peaks area. If they're not there, they're flying around at their second home in Big Sur or somewhere else. And well, bats are hard to see in general and don't come out unless it's dusk anyways.

That only means that we have to come back for a second time!

(hike completed in May 2016)

Happy Birthday National Park Service! I am so thrilled to be one of several hundred million who enjoy the natural wonders of the park. Keep on preserving the natural splendor, educating the public, and engaging in thoughtful discussion. Cheers to many more years!

When Four Mile trail was first built, it was indeed 4.0 miles. After a couple decades, the trail was adjusted and is now slightly longer at 4.8 miles one-way. The climb from the valley floor to Glacier Point offers expansive views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome as the trail continues to ascend. This trail can also be completed in reverse from Glacier Point to the valley floor.

The trail begins in a woodsy area with the switchbacks starting almost immediately. Much of the joy in this trail comes from seeing the vantage point change while ascending up towards the peak. From seeing Yosemite Falls from the floor, being at eye level with Lower Yosemite Falls, continuing up and being eye level with Upper Yosemite Falls, and then being above Yosemite Falls. This advantage helps gauge the elevation gained and are also great places to rest a bit before continuing on. Parts of the trail did have trees to scramble over and rocks to climb over, but nothing too difficult, though some of the trail does get close to a cliff.








Some of the trail leading to and past Union Point had snow, so we trekked carefully. At one point, the snow cover completely covered the trail, making it difficult to advance forward. Though we did not make it to Glacier Point, we stopped in to take the views and the proud accomplishment that we hiked to nearly the top of the mountains framing Yosemite Valley. The snow-capped mountains are some of my favorite things to see while hiking and this trail did not disappoint!





The descent down the rugged terrain was hard on my knees, though the views of the clouds slowly forming a singular mass complemented the peaceful respite.





(hike completed in March 2016)

(hike completed in March 2016)