FIELD NOTES
The trail is a patient teacher. Here, I document the lessons learned between the trailhead and the summit—from the gear that keeps me safe to the moments that keep me sane.
Finding the Path (and a Few Thorns) at Lover's Leap
Sometimes, the hike you plan isn't the hike you get—and that is exactly what makes it an adventure. When a winter storm closed our original route, my friend Jatin and I found ourselves pivoting to the snowy, unpredictable trails of Lover's Leap. From discovering the quiet stillness of a frozen lake to bushwhacking through a strikingly beautiful burn scar (and battling a poisonous mountain thorn along the way!), this journey tested our limits. But as I've learned time and again, the mountains have a unique way of trading physical exhaustion for complete mental clarity. Read the full story and check out the photo gallery to see why getting a little lost in the woods is sometimes the perfect cure for an anxious mind.
Finding Stillness Before the Chaos: Hiking the Ferrari Mill Loop
In this latest entry of my hiking for healing journey, I head to the El Dorado National Forest to soak up nature's quiet energy before a short trip to India. Discover the crisp altitude of the Ferrari Mill Loop, how my Oboz boots handled the terrain, and the perfect cup of coffee that capped off a flawless morning.
Among Giants: A Reunion on the Sequoia Bayview Trail
When an old friend returns after months away, you don't just meet for lunch—you head to the trees. Join us for a misty trek through the Oakland Hills, where we celebrated Jatin's homecoming among the redwoods. From the steep climb of Wild Rose Trail to the comfort of warm lattes and coffee cake, this is a story about reunion, 'Nature's Window,' and the healing power of the forest
Escaping the Grey: A Journey to the Sun at Cronan Ranch
Sometimes the only cure for a heavy week is a steep climb. Join Jas, Jagroop, and Shelly as they escape the valley mist for the East Ridge of Cronan Ranch. 1,043 feet of elevation, vast emerald meadows, and the silence of the American River canyon—this is what "Hiking for Healing" looks like in the late sunny winters.
The Sapphire & The Snow: A Journey to the Frozen Heart of Lake Aloha
A visual journey to the frozen heart of Lake Aloha. Experience the transition from lush green forests to a world of granite and ice, and read about the rare wildlife encounter that made this hike unforgettable
Granite & Grace: The Hard Road to Ropi Lake
Between the deafening roar of the waterfall and the perfect silence of the summit lies a path of pure granite. This is the story of the hike to Ropi Lake—a vertical journey that tested our endurance and rewarded us with the kind of stillness that heals the soul.