Paddling through Black Canyon is a treat. The calm, cold water of the Colorado River is crystal clear here, exposing details on the …
Things to Do
The treasures of Lake Mead National Recreation Area
A lot of people think that Lake Mead National Recreation Area is only worth visiting to see Hoover Dam. Think again. It's true that …
Camping Options for Kern River and Lake Isabella
If you like camping, then you'll love the Kern River and Lake Isabella. It's as simple as that. There's literally hundreds of campsites …
Mapped: Monache Meadows
Monache Meadow is a hard-to-get-to camping area in Inyo National Forest. But if you can get there, it's pretty epic. It's hard to get to …
My Salute to the Mojave Desert
For those of you who haven't experienced the magic of the Mojave, it's about time you do. The Mojave Desert - which covers large swaths …
Great Hikes: Painted Canyon in Mecca Hills Wilderness
For desertphiles that enjoy hiking, the Painted Canyon area in the Coachella Valley is a must do. The main path is a roughly three-hour loop …
Adventures of a first-time Rockhound
Like most people, I used to think of rocks as being just that, rocks. That belief swiftly changed during a road trip through Oregon and …
Appreciating the lower Kern River area
Feeding off dozens of creeks and tributaries in the southern Sierra Nevada, the Kern River is a force of nature to be reckoned with during …
To the summit of Mt. Pinos
When I reached the trail head for the hike to the summit of Mt. Pinos, it was clear I was already at a pretty high elevation. There sat the …