Why These Coastal Trails Matter in 2026 Travel is changing. The Instagram fueled rush to bucket list destinations is cooling off, replaced by a quieter craving: raw nature, real solitude, and low impact movement. Coastal trails deliver just that. Instead of fighting shoulder to shoulder crowds for the same photo, more travelers are lacing up […]
A Land of Contrast and Surprise California’s deserts have earned a reputation for relentless heat and empty stretches of sand but that’s only half the truth. If you look closer, especially in the right season, there’s a quiet complexity tucked in between the rocks and dunes. Real oases. Rare wildlife. Flora that blooms hard and
Why Skip the Crowds This Year California’s iconic parks like Yosemite, Big Sur, and Lake Tahoe rightfully get a lot of love, but they also get the crowds to match. In 2026, more backpackers are searching for solitude, not switchbacks packed with tourists. The Shift Toward Quieter Trails Many hikers are rethinking their go to
Why Trail Nutrition Matters in 2026 Food isn’t fuel in the abstract when you’re deep in the backcountry it’s your output limiter. Elevation climbs, longer distances, and unpredictable weather all ramp up your body’s burn rate. It’s easy to underestimate how many calories it actually takes to keep moving, especially with thinner air and chilling
Start with the Big Three Before you get into gadgets and snacks, dial in your Big Three: backpack, shelter, and sleep system. These pieces make up the bulk of your base weight and can make or break your hike. Backpack Pick something under 3 pounds ideally closer to 2 built with solid suspension to handle
Knowing When to Go The Sierra Nevada doesn’t follow one rhythm it runs on four. Spring brings thaw and flowing creeks. Summer unlocks the alpine passes. Fall offers quiet, open trails and color. Winter is for those with ice axes and training, not casual wanderers. Each season has its own payoff, but also its own
Trail Cooking Priorities in 2026 On the trail, your kitchen has to pull its weight literally. Speed, fuel efficiency, and weight still rule the checklist when it comes to trail cooking gear. If it slows you down, burns extra fuel, or adds dead weight to your pack, it’s not worth hauling. The sweet spot is
Why Weight Matters on the Trail Here’s the simple truth: weight on your feet wears you down faster than weight on your back. Ounce for ounce, heavy footwear will cost you more energy over the course of a hike than a few extra snacks in your pack. And when you’re logging miles, that adds up
Breaking Down Sleeping Bag Types Not all sleeping bags are built the same and that’s the point. Your gear should match your terrain, weather, and sleeping style. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types you’ll see on shelves (and trails) in 2026: Mummy Bags: These are the go to for backpackers and cold sleepers.
Know Your Trip Specs Before you even look at a backpack, get clear on what kind of trip you’re planning. A weekend out and back hike is a different animal from a 7 day wilderness loop. For 1 to 3 nights, you can usually get away with a lighter, more compact pack. Less food, less