Category Archives: Backpack Trip Report

Arctic Blast Hits US!

Backpack Trip Report

The US is in the mist of the coldest weather in 20 years.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

If you live in the northern half of the U.S. your backpacking/outdoor gear may not be adequate for the severe weather. If it is adequate, and if you want to go backpacking, the roads may not be navigable and you might be stuck at home.

If, like me, you live in the desert it maybe be different. This weekend the local deserts were forecasting highs in the 70’s and lows in the high 40’s. This would indicate that any logical and rational hiker would, like Crocodile Dundee, pack their gear, food & water and go for a walkabout.

And that is exactly what I did.

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Avoiding the Pacific Crest Trail

Backpack Trip Report, ,

A WEEKEND HIKE TO ASSESS THE SAN JACINTO FIRE DAMAGE

SJ Aug 2013_ 15

In the summer I do a lot of hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail south of the San Jacinto Wilderness. Because it is hot this time of year and there is little water available, most hikers avoid this part of the trail. Since this area is usually 20 degree cooler than where I live, and there are few hikers, it is an excellent destination for me.

Unfortunately most of this section was burned in the San Jacinto Fire a couple weeks ago. Right now the PCT is closed from Highway 74 north, past the San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, a 50 mile long section of trail. From what I could see on this hike, and the fire I observed from my house a couple weeks ago, I would not be surprised if this section (or parts of it) are closed for several years.

SJ Aug 2013_ 13 Continue reading Avoiding the Pacific Crest Trail →

Finding and Keeping Secret Places Secret

Backpack Trip Report, Camping,

IMG_0136A common theme of many of my posts and articles is the desire for solitude in wild places. This doesn’t necessarily make me anti-social; just a preference to enjoy the peace and quiet that the wilderness can provide without other people to muck things up.

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For those who are tired of crowds in campsites or on the trail, finding your quiet place isn’t that difficult. But don’t look here in PopUpBackpacker for directions to my favorite secret places.

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Searching for Pebbles

Backpack Trip Report

LOOKING AT THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE

smaller DSC00911After a cancelled backpacking trip last weekend due to the San Jacinto Wilderness fire, Monday morning found me traveling towards Nevada. Driving 55 miles per hour on back roads tends to turn the road into a gray blur separated by a dirty white dividing-line in the center.

Stopping to take a pee break, a silver reflection in the center of the pavement changed the character of the next four days to come.

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No Kitchen Pass Needed this Weekend

Backpack Trip Report

Cropped 06-23-2013Joyce is in Motown visiting relatives and she left me at home without supervision.

The two nights before departure she was packing and wrapping gifts – organized and not rushed. She didn’t ask what my plans were in her absence, nor did she assign any tasks to me, verbally or implied. I drove her to the airport for an early morning departure, listening for any hints of expectations for domestic “to do’s.” None were detected. Returning home I checked the refrigerator door and the interior for any notes or instructions regarding household duties, which came up negative.

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