backpacking

Day 3: Rock Creek to Panther Creek
Today was my biggest mile day of my week on trail. I had good energy and the trail rewarded me with pleasant rambling, good company and even a shower!

Day 2: Table Mountain to Rock Creek.
My first solo day on trail was a cloudy ridge line trek through wildflower-filled meadows, clear cut land, and hemlock forests.

Day 1: Bridge of the Gods to Table Mountain
It was a gorgeous day to start along the Pacific Crest Trail. My husband joined me for the first 10 miles of my adventure as we crossed The Bridge of the Gods and climbed north out of the Columbia Gorge.

Today I hit the trail. Not just any trail, but THE trail. The Pacific Crest Trail. The first multi-week trail I ever heard about. The trail that seemed like an impossible challenge. The trail I figured I’d never have time to do. I got the kernel of an idea, and have built on it until it has become my reality. So today I step out on a journey to complete the first half of the 500-mile Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Many beginner backpackers start out with pre-packaged freeze-dried meals from their local outdoor stores. However they quickly realize how pricey and unsatisfying those meals can be. When I started backpacking I had the added challenge of wanting to follow a vegetarian diet. It wasn’t long before I was looking for alternate ideas of inexpensive, easy to make, tasty, and healthy backpacking meals.

This past weekend I got to meet up with a hiking friend and explore the north end of Olympic National Park. We made the most of our three days together. We explored the popular Hurricane Ridge area, and then enjoyed a night backcountry along the Elwah River.

Hiking the John Muir Trail was an incredible experience but eventually the “mountain high” wore off. Last fall I had a crazy idea… what if I hiked the PCT through Washington? Well, I’m turning it into a reality and have been gathering my gear.

This past summer’s thru-hike of the John Muir Trail took me through a large swath of Kings Canyon National Park. We travelled along the western corridor of the park for eight full days, giving me a great sense of appreciation and awe for all that the Park protects.

Kings Canyon is really designed as a backpacker’s park, with most of the over 450,000 acres requiring an overnight hike to access. My first two visits to Kings Canyon National Park were through the backcountry…

In honour of the U.S. National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary, I’ve introduced a feature called “Find Your Park,” named after…