The filter made quick work of it. It has a convenient, nalgene sized hose attachment to easily fill up bottles. It has separate bags to keep your inlet and outlet tubes segregated.

Upon returning home, I bought one for James, and together we have used it many times in different locations. We estimate about 100 gallons with no maintenance/no complaints. It is lightweight, economical, and absolutely essential.

Full Product Specs:

• Long lasting AntiClog pleated cartridge requires no maintenance or cleaning
• Very large filter surface for fast output
• Easy to use because of minimal resistance whilst pumping
• Active carbon core reduces unpleasant tastes and odors from the water
• Small pre-filter on in-hose protects filter cartridge life in turbid water
• Compact design and easy operation–fits in any backpack or travel bag
• Easy Fill Bottle Adaptor attaches directly to a drinking bottle
• Ideal for 1-2 people

Feature Detail:

• Technology: AntiClog Technology with 0.3 micron glassfiber and activated carbon granulate
• Output: ca. 1 liters/minute
• Cartridge Capacity: Up to 750 l (depending on water quality)
• Weight: ca. 310 g
• Size: 7.6 x 16.5 x 6.1 cm (3 x 6.5 x 2.4 inches)
• Includes: Prefilter, bottle adapter and carry bag

The company claims that it is the best selling water filter on the market.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter on Amazon

• 9 miles
• Amazing views of Yosemite Valley
• Indian Rock is a unique arch formation

North Dome – Porcupine Creek at EveryTrail

After having burritos in Yosemite Valley, we got in the car and drove up 120 to the Porcupine Creek trail head. I was very happy with both the burrito and the beautiful drive. The hike begins at about 8000 ft, so depending on your fitness, be aware.

The trail begins in a mostly wooded area with no views. You’ll have to work for those, but the payoff is well worth it. It is easily accomplished in an afternoon, or as a leisurely overnight (there are sites), with potential spurs to other areas. I was very impressed with this trail, both by how it was maintained and 360 views that center you in Yosemite Valley. It is quite a sight to see.

As you approach the rim of the valley, glimpses of Half Dome and peaks beyond start to appear. As you get closer, the roller coaster climbs begin, which make for good cardio. By the time you hit the the furthest vantage, you’re feeling on top of the world from endorphins and incredible views.

Indian Rock is a feature along the way, which offers a unique natural arch. The spur is well marked on the left as you approach.

We packed a good meal for the trail, and took time to wash in Porcupine Creek. Once you’re on the Dome, there is a lot of sunlight exposure, so pack sunscreen and a good hat.

As with any trip like this, be sure to watch the weather closely, and study cloud formations near Half Dome and North Dome. Do not tempt fate in an electrical storm. You will lose. People die in Yosemite each year, even experts.

We had perfect weather. I wish I could have stayed and watched the sunset, but we had plans with beer, meat, and a grill. I can definitely see the advantage of staying out there overnight on the granite.

This must be the best view of Half Dome, apart from Glacier Point.

[Edit]
I’m looking for mines that have: 1.) An open and navigable tunnel/shaft 2.) On public lands 3.) No “excessive” danger or risk.

Thanks for your help!

View and collaborate on Southern California Mines (in progress) in a larger map

Recreation.gov Mt. Whitney Permit Lottery

(Image used under Creative Commons)

The REI Half Dome tent is quick and simple to assemble. I can easily set it up by myself on solo trips. The poles have proven to be durable over much use. There are plastic components that snap and hook to the poles, which saves cost and weight.

The tent can be configured as a minimalist shelter to save even more weight. The rain fly has good water resistance, but during summer camping it can trap moisture from your breath. Let the tent breathe without the fly and watch the stars go by through the transparent canopy.

After two years of heavy use, I have no complaints, although one of my zippers needs repair. I highly recommend this tent.

The shot below was taken in the Sespe Wilderness at Willet Camp.

I wanted to find a watch that would do everything: one that was versatile enough to be both worthy in the field, and fitting for the office. Most of us have a 9-5 to fund our adventures and I do so in the corporate world. So, I set out to find the perfect everyday watch, and I held a few criteria in mind.

It needed to have an altimeter and an analog face; anything else=bonus. Now, go do a Google search and tell me what you turn up. I despise the look of plasticy sport watches. I found the Casio PAW5000 (about $450), which has an analog movement, altimeter, barometer, compass, and everything else under the sun (literally, it’s solar powered). But, look at it. It’s too techy, bulky and plasticy. I can’t wear that thing everyday, it’s not my style. Call me a snob, but it’s just not something I’d wear to a nice dinner, and for that price it should be. Casio also offers the Pro Trek Black Titan (about $825), which looks significantly better but is quite pricey.

Timex offers the E-Altimeter (about $200), but all it has is an altimeter, no compass, no barometer, etc. I’ve read reviews that it’s fairly bulky as well. One advantage with Timex is getting an 11 year warranty. Nice!

Then I saw the Tissot T-Touch Expert Pilot (about $600), and all of my dreams had seemingly come true. This watch has an altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, stopwatch, titanium case, sapphire crystal face (that’s the best for scratch resistance), water resistant to 99 feet, two year warranty, AND it’s Swiss made. Not to mention, it’s an analog movement with a little digital display, too. Perfect, I thought.

So, I saved my sheckles and deliberated about the decision for months, because that kind of mulah doesn’t come easy to me. My girlfriend pitched in too, because this was an anniversary present. Everything about the watch itself is great. The movement is great, the instruments are accurate, no complaints there. I am MOSTLY happy with my purchase, but there has been one major disappointment.

The leather band is a piece of shit. I have never used a curse word on this site, until now, but this makes me angry. It split where it connects to the titanium case, on both sides, and completely disconnected after 3 months of use. See the picture below:

A concession I need to make is that Tissot does not advertise this watch for trekking, but for pilots who would most likely be in a climate-controlled cockpit. I know that leather often does not perform well after it has gotten wet. I was careful not to get it wet, but it dipped into a river maybe twice? The watch itself claims to be water resistant to 99 feet…

There’s really no excuse for it to split like it did, and further, there is no excuse for it to be GLUED to the case BY A PIECE OF PLASTIC. That’s right. Premium components are visible, but a piece of plastic is hidden beneath the leather at a crucial structural point. That’s just bogus. Tissot will supposedly cover this under their warranty, but since I bought the watch off of Amazon (not an “authorized retailer”), Amazon’s warranty only covers the movement, not the strap.

I Gorilla Glued it back to the plastic and am hoping for the best. Go with a titanium band, and absolutely do NOT get a leather band. The failure was probably due to the original adhesive, but the leather has also wrinkled a bit. You’ll notice that the carbon fiber backing is not offered with the titanium band, which is most unfortunate.

You may be better off having two watches, one for dinner and one for the trail. My girlfriend posted a review on Amazon regarding the band, but I have seen no other criticism.

May I recommend this model as an alternative:

Tissot T-Touch Expert Pilot with titanium band

Here’s some other tips:

• The altimeter needs to be set before every outing, as it is a barometric altimeter and based on the weather.
• You can either use the altimeter or the barometer, but not both at the same time.
• Setting the “regional climate” will ensure more accurate readings from your altimeter and barometer.
• The thermometer is only accurate when it has been off of your arm for 15-20 minutes, otherwise it will be influenced by  your body temperature.
• Titanium is strong and light, but will scratch.
• You can set magnetic declination for the compass!
• Try the watch on in a store and play with the touch functions in person.
• The barometric units are in hectopascals (hePa) instead of inches of mercury (inHg) which is more commonly used.

Basic Info:

• 4.5 miles roundtrip to the tunnel
• A quick hike to escape and a better alternative (in my opinion) to Eaton and Runyon Canyons
• Great views of Little Tujunga Canyon and Dillon Divide
• Several stream crossings, and a stream running through the tunnel requires shoes getting wet

Pacoima Canyon at EveryTrail

There is parking available alongside the road and a white gate. A water tower is a short jaunt uphill from there (you’ll see it pulling up but not from the actual parking area), which offers a perfect vantage of either side of the divide. This area has several fire roads that traverse ridges of chaparral, including the Kagel Truck Trail, but the one we’re interested in is Forest Route 4N35, or Pacoima road.

Display your Adventure Pass and follow the dirt road until it bisects with a smaller trail on the left, marked by a steal pole. The trail becomes much more intimate than the dirt road, but is well graded and maintained. You’ll notice scat piles in the middle of the trail-big cats are known to be in the area. The skeleton of a mountain lion confirms this in the canyon below, but I have not personally seen one and I have hiked this trail many times (morning, noon, and night), since I live nearby. The key to facing a big cat is to act big yourself and make lots of noise, unless there are cubs. That’s what the experts will tell you.

I’ve met a man named Garren on the trail several times; he voluntarily maintains the trail on weekends. If you see him, say hi. He has told me that this trail was where he learned to drive, as it used to be a road that went to Mt. Gleason. If you look closely, it appears that some of the rocks bare the evidence of this road. On one crop of rocks, blue sign paint remains fragmented from the nearby fault. There are reports that a car’s axle is in the riverbed, but I have not personally seen it.

The climate is comfortable and shaded at the canyon floor. A clear trail is blazed with cairns. The tunnel is another 15-20 minutes upstream on the left canyon wall. It is partially hidden by a tree, but you should hear the small waterfall at the entrance when you’re close. There is also a large boulder next to the trail that has a long white-painted line on it. Follow the line to the left canyon wall.

In September, when the water is low, I’ve noticed that spiders like to hang out in this tunnel. It seems to be the time of year when they are mating and are found in large clusters. I don’t recommend going into the tunnel at this time of year, unless you want to get friendly with them. After the rains come in winter, the rest of the year is fine.

It’s about 200 feet deep, but forks halfway in. Both channels are blocked. On a topo map, you’ll notice that this tunnel originally cut off a bend in the river. The gold was not extracted from the tunnel itself, but it was used to divert the stream. This area is called Dutch Louie Flat, named after the prospector who discovered placers in the stream bed and recovered several thousand dollars worth of gold. The Denver Mining Company worked the material just above bedrock in the dry riverbed. Today, you’ll see plenty of black sand where gold is usually found. I’ve panned with a sluice and haven’t found anything, but it might still be worth a shot. Just call me when you strike it rich. Fair’s fair?

Return the way you came. I love doing this hike in late afternoon light. If you’re looking out for it, you may notice bullet casings and other manmade items on the trail from careless visitors. If you find your pockets empty or room in your pack, please pick up some of this debris. It isn’t an epidemic (like Eaton Canyon), yet, but let’s make an effort to take care of the trail. I know Garren, myself, and many others would appreciate your help.

So, I like to conclude with a little piece of information at the bottom, to thank those who have paid attention and read the whole thing in this age of popcorn brains. There is poison oak in a couple of patches on the edge of the trail, both on the way down to the canyon and in the canyon itself. You might want to spare yourself the agony by keeping your eyes peeled to keep your skin from peeling later.

Take care of the place. It’s my backyard and yours too. A bit farther beyond Dagger Flat, the Station Fire has consumed the area and is unstable, at best. I recommend limiting your stay to the unburned areas.

Best of all, they are very lightweight (18.2 ounces, aluminum) for poles in their class.

These poles are built to withstand most of the natural forces that you can possibly throw at it. I’m not saying to go throw these into a volcano, but I am saying that they’ll hold up in the snow, scree, you name it, and they’ll do it all while being your best friend. The flip lock feature is preferable and more sturdy than screw types, in my opinion, because I’ve seen screw joints loosen and even break. I speak highly of these poles not in vain or for profit. I have traveled with them in many different conditions on both coasts, over countless mountains and streams. I’ve used other poles more than a few times and am no stranger, having been on downhill skiing and cross-country race teams. I’ve also used other brands of hiking poles, and I like these.

The upper cork and lower foam handles are a very nice option for different hand configurations for uphill and downhill climbs. For example, I like to lengthen my poles for downhills and grip the foam lower handles more lightly for balance and for bracing impacts. My hand position is completely different for uphill climbs, where I use the cork handles to dig in and grab traction. Straps are attached to the top of the handle; loose or tight is purely subjective and preferential, but I like to keep blood flowing to my hands.

This set of poles comes with baskets (the plastic snowflake that sits a few inches above the tip) for skiing, which are also removable.

Again, I’m not making a profit here (though I really should!) but don’t take my word for it, check out reviews on REI.com (also not a paid endorsement):

REI.com: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Basic Info:

• 20 miles roundtrip
• River crossings
• Camping is all along the river
• Fire permits required
• Adventure Pass required

The Sespe Wilderness was once in peril due to the proposed construction of five hydro-electric dams in 1915. To witness this ecosystem in its present form is a blessing, but also a harsh reminder that rivers all across the globe face this menacing threat. Sespe Light and Power went bust, and thanks to conservation, the Sespe runs free as one of the last rivers unimpeded in California.

Driving to Sespe is a pleasure. After rising up and over Wheeler Gorge, the road forks right to Rose Valley. It’s only a few short miles to the Piedra Blanca trailhead, surrounded by captivating rock forms. The trailhead is marked by a fairly large parking lot, a restroom, signs, and stock paddocks for packers. Be sure to display an Adventure Pass in the car before embarking.

A trip report follows the map, pictures, and video:

Willett Hot Springs – Sespe Wilderness at EveryTrail

I set out with Margaret shortly after 10:00 AM, on a cool morning in early June. It was Memorial Day weekend, and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot, which was to be expected for the holiday. We weren’t concerned, however, because the scenery immediately took us in and transfixed our attention, distracting us from cares about anything else.

The hike began mostly flat with a handful of easily navigable stream crossings. The trail is very obviously blazed and easy to follow. Traversing the course of the Sespe River, you begin upstream and travel downstream.

On the northern side, the scarred remains of a recent wildfire remain, but nature’s resilient beauty rebounds. On the southern side, curious canyons carve off from the stream bed, venturing deeper into Sespe Wilderness. In one of these canyons lies a cave with Chumash rock art paintings. The Forest Service doesn’t publish literature on the cave’s whereabouts in an effort to protect them from careless visitors. I found Bradley John Monsma’s book “The Sespe Wild: Southern California’s Last Free River” on visiting the rock art a fascinating read, and while I may never find the location, his experience is all I need.

Passing by the canyons across the river inspires the imagination to wonder what secrets they might hold just out of view; the tops of mature trees rise up from their valleys.

We arrived at Bear Creek camp, the halfway point (5 miles), in time for lunch, and grabbed a spot near the river to enjoy sandwiches. Most day hikers will turn around here. There are sites all along the course of the river to enjoy and take a dip. Bear Creek has a particularly deep pool ideal for swimming.

After Bear Creek, the river crossings seem to get more difficult, depending on how much water is moving through. When we were there, it was maneuverable without getting wet. Earlier in the spring will definitely require getting wet, so be prepared for that. After the second river crossing from Bear Creek, the trail becomes notably less travelled. It is thinner in gauge, and sharp thorny plants make wearing shorts uncomfortable.

It’s not long before Oak Flat appears near the base of Red Rock Canyon. We were making good time but paused to watch a horny toad (desert horned lizard) (also, see my picture) scurry up the trail in front of us. I vividly remember doing a report in 3rd grade about the horny toad, and had never seen one before. Fun Fact: horny toads squirt blood from their eyes at a range of five feet for self defense. Cool!

We trekked on for a bit longer and reached Willett Camp. By the time that we got there, most people had already left and only a handful of tents remained just downstream. We snagged the first site we came to next to the river, and a fine site it was! We had a nice fire pit, great rocks as natural tabletops, and a sandy level patch for the tent. With the Topatopa ridge as a backdrop, the early evening unfolded after a quick nap and a snack. We started the walk up the slope into the canyon that the hot spring is nestled in. This trail is readily apparent and visible from most of the campsites, on the northern side of the river. An old chimney marks the ascent.

As you approach, the smell will alert you to your proximity. It’s not a bad smell, I kind of like it actually, but I can say that Sykes Hot Springs near Big Sur smells exactly the same. There seems to be a certain type of algae that thrives in this mineral rich water. I think of it as nature’s chlorine. Does anybody have any information about this?

There was a group of guys sitting in the tub when we arrived. All of them seemed to be kind souls just enjoying a soak, and with good company. Not long after that, we had the tub to ourselves. That’s a mental picture I’ll keep.

The tub was not what I would describe as “hot.” Definitely warmer than the ambient temperature at the time, which was in the high 70′s. I’d guess it was somewhere in the low 90′s. The temperature of the tub does fluctuate, depending on the time of day, season, etc. This is just my experience, and I’ve read conflicting reports.

I’ve also seen pictures where the water appears to be quite cloudy, as if a lot of silt had been stirred up. This was not the case and the water was mostly clear. There is a pipe that sections off a flow of water from several feet up, dedicated to feeding the tub. There seems to be decent circulation.

This hike can seem very destination centric, but really the journey is the greatest reward. Don’t get me wrong, soaking in the spring was heavenly. But, that would overlook the vastness of this wilderness, and the beauty that surrounds this place. I’m learning that this same lesson can be applied to any trip, no matter the scale.

We left the spring and enjoyed a nice fire back at camp, and watched the stars come out before retiring to our sleeping bags.

The next morning was warmer than the previous and we took our time rolling out of bed and packing up camp. We left shortly after 10:30, and marched back over the roller coaster ridges near Oak Flat. We made great time back to Bear Creek, but the sun was much hotter and it was high in the sky. We took a dip in the cool waters of Sespe River, but didn’t spend too much time in the water; it was nippy but refreshing!

That gave us enough of a boost to push us back to the car. We both had a craving for seafood, so we hit the coast.