In the middle of a summer heat wave we kicked off a 12-day hike through the Alps. In spite of the heat, it was an unforgettable journey, one that I would gladly repeat. The climbs were hard, the descents were sometimes harder, the views were spectacular, and the experience was incredible. To cope with the…Read more
TMB – Day 0 After a long flight to Geneva, an overnight stay, and a long a van ride, we made it to our first stop, Hotel Saint Antoine in Les Houches. It is a comfortable little place with good food and cozy rooms, but no air-conditioning. Actually, no hotel had air-conditioning the entire trip….Read more
TMB – Day 1 The Bellevue gondola is a popular option for starting day 1. It bypasses most of the climb, taking you from 3300 feet of elevation up to 5900 feet. From the top you have a couple of route options to choose, the primary route is the easiest option. It immediately starts downhill…Read more
Over the years, while hiking, I’ve passed many signs letting me know I was following the route of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of long distance trails like this one, but the thought of attempting circumnavigation through section hiking only recently occurred to me. I suppose I was…Read more
Distance: 3.8 miles (7.2 round trip) Elevation Gain/Loss (1-way): 154/1,296 It was a cool January morning when I hit this section. The limited parking compelled me to leave earlier than I would have liked, but the drive up Montevina prevented me from arriving too early. Fortunately, it likely prevented others as well, as I found…Read more
A Short Section with a Great View Distance: 3.3 miles Elevation Gain/Loss: 420/550 The Windy Hill section fills in part of a gap in the trail between El Corte and Russian Ridge and is disconnected from both. What it lacks in distance it more than makes up for with views. There is limited parking at…Read more
A Noisy Sidewalk Distance 1.9 Miles Elevation Gain/Loss 190/190 What can I say about the Golden Gate Bridge that hasn’t been said? It’s just under 2 miles each way. The elevation goes up toward the center then down. It’s a very noisy walk alongside a highway with a nice view. The bridge is much nicer…Read more
The Presidio Distance: 2.7 Miles Elevation Gain/Loss 105/225 This short section through the Presidio is best when combined with other routes. We combined it with the Golden Gate Bridge crossing, and back again. Consider adding the Batteries to Bluffs Trail if you’re looking for more milage. The section begins at the Presidio Gate at the…Read more
The forests of the city Distance: 6.6 Miles Elevation Gain/Loss 920/875 This section has a good mix of urban and forest hiking and for a short time you get so immersed in the forest you can forget you are still in the city. From Stern Grove heading north, the beginning is very typical walk through…Read more
Our seven day loop through Scotland began and ended in Edinburgh. It includes a short visit to Glasgow and Inverness, as well as several castles, the famous Loch Ness, two national parks, and the stunning Highlands. We combined this trip with a visit to London, so our driving route begins and ends at the rental…Read more