Santa Rosa/Toro Peak

Amid the arid landscape and sparse brush of southeast California is an unobtrusive forest road leading up and onto little-known Santa Rosa mountain. The mountain encompasses views of the ocean, the desert, the Salton Sea, and rippling hills in between.

Rattlesnake Ridge

 Rattlesnake Ridge is a popular hiking destination near North Bend, Washington, just outside of Seattle. The trail is very crowded during the Summer months, and less so in the Winter or in the early morning. However, for how short this hike is (about 2 miles), the view of the surrounding mountains is spectacular. It only takes about an hour to get to the top at a decent pace. I would highly recommend this trail for a quick day hike. If you are short on time during the weekend, but are in need of a refreshing nature walk, go to Rattlesnake Ridge.

Sheep Lake

 Sheep Lake is a camping area in Wenatchee National Forest that makes for a quick and dirty, yet superb backpacking trip for residents of Washington State. It's really easy to get there, but the payoff is incredible.

Sailing: San Juan to Kirkland

A couple months ago I had the opportunity to help my friend Jimmy deliver a sailboat from San Juan Island to his home in Kirkland. In western Washington state, there is water everywhere, and consequently, lots and lots of boats. I have had the good fortune to participate in a few sailing races while living here and enjoyed them immensely, so I immediately jumped on the invitation.

Mt. Baldy

When Mt. Baldy, also called Mt. San Antonio, isn't being skied on, it's a place where hikers can scrape their head on the clouds. At a little over 10,000 ft, the mountain makes for a great day hike for residents of Southern California. It's just east of LA, and a couple hours north of San Diego. From the top, you can see many of the nearby transverse ranges, peaks, and natural features such as the San Bernardino National Forest and San Jacinto Peak, and well, pretty much all of Southern California on a clear day.

Barker Valley

If you live in San Diego and are looking for a quick, yet quiet foray into the wild, go to Barker Valley. The valley is in the northeast foothills of Palomar Mountain, and because it is not large enough to qualify as a wilderness area, requires no permitting. That's right, just show up and start hiking, no overnight passes or parking stickers required. Very few people pass through the valley, especially in the summer months, so it makes for a perfect short backpacking trip.

San Jacinto State Park

 Just outside a small town aptly name Idyllwild lies a series of trails and campgrounds collectively called the Mount San Jacinto State Park. The park divides Palm Springs and Idyllwild in half, and is accessible on both sides. The rewards for reaching the top are expansive, serene views of San Diego County, Palm Desert, and the San Bernardino Mountains. Why climb 5000ft for a pretty view, you ask?