Going to Alaska during the summer is the best time to visit because the weather is great, the wild life is active, and the days are long. One of the first things you will notice when you arrive for summer in Alaska is the length of the days, which are 20-22 hours long. These long summer days give the time needed to explore the largest state. So, what should you do during a summer trip to Alaska?
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Yosemite Falls from Cook's Meadow Loop. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Hiking Cook's Meadow Loop in Yosemite Valley
The best time of day to hike Cook’s Meadow Loop is late morning into the afternoon. During sunrise and sunset, Yosemite Falls is in the shade, so to have the best view of Yosemite Falls in full light, hike the Cook’s Meadow Loop around 9 or 10am.
Read MoreBikepacking Freel Peak to Mount Whitney | Day 2
Five years have passed since my last cycle tour, it was new again. Pavement moved under me as I zipped downhill. Wind froze my hands. Trees and a river whipped passed at 15 miles an hour. Freedom, smiles, energy pumping through my body I have not felt in years. I’m where I am supposed to be.
Read MoreBest Surf Spots in Baja California Mexico
Baja California has been a surfing hub since the 1940s, where both the northern and southern tips of the 1000 mile peninsula offer incredible right-hand swells and barreling beach breaks. And the best bit? Despite worldwide recognition, lineups still remain beautifully empty. So, whether you’re new to surfing or a wave-riding veteran, here’s where you should be heading for the best surf breaks in Baja California Mexico.
Read MoreBest Lake Hikes of the Eastern Sierra
California is packed with lake hikes that will blow your mind, especially in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. The best part of lake hiking in the Eastern Sierra is the access. From remote lakes tucked days away in the mountains to roadside lake hikes, any hiker can find something for themselves during a visit to the Eastern Sierra. As a kid, I grew up in the foothills of Lake Tahoe wandering around the Eastern Sierra, exploring lake hikes, and embracing the often chilly mornings while searching for gorgeous landscapes. So, what happens when you put the calm of a cold morning and an extraordinary lake hike together? Scroll down below and discover the best lakes hikes of the Eastern Sierra for yourself!
Read MoreIs Cerritos Beach Swimmable?
Cerritos Beach, also known as Playa Los Cerritos, is the perfect place for swimming while in Baja Sur. The water is warm in comparison to the beaches of the United States, but still chilly to the touch. This long sandy beach is family friendly and is growing in popularity as a boom in vacation rentals grows beyond Cabo San Lucas. The safety of Cerritos Beach has continued to improve with the growth of the town by adding life-guards (Juan and Carlos), an ambulance station, and safety flags.
Read MoreBest Views of Yosemite Valley
The natural beauty of Yosemite is so incredible that it inspired an entire 19th-century conservation movement, which resulted in the valley’s protection as a national park in 1890. Naturalists led by John Muir (1838–1914) and artists like photographer Ansel Adams (1902–1984) found inspiration for their life’s work here. When planning your trip to Yosemite National Park, checking out the best views of Yosemite Valley ahead of time are critical to the Yosemite experience.
Read MoreHow To Hike Lake Tahoe's Tallest Summit Freel Peak
Arriving in South Lake Tahoe to begin a personal challenge of a supported bike packing adventure from South Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney, I started the trip with hiking Freel Peak. My goal was to start at the Freel Peak trailhead and hike to the top for sunset, but that didn't happen. Getting a late start, my journey to the tallest peak in Lake Tahoe ended in the dark, but that is okay, I brought a head lamp. By the way, the sunset while on the hiking trail to the summit of Freel Peak was phenomenal!
Read MoreSurfing and Camping in Baja, Mexico
We headed to Baja Mexico for a three months of winter to surf and camp on every beach we could. Loading up the van with surfboards, snorkel gear, and sunscreen we did our best to explore on dirt roads, get sunburnt, and surf throughout the Baja Peninsula. Our goal was to avoid the crowds, but still catch good waves. I would be remiss to mention we missed a couple of swells, got cut up by the reef, and punctured a few boards, but the trip was a success. While the trips wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, we had a splendid time in Baja chasing waves and sleeping on beaches.
Read MoreA Kayaking Road Trip Down Highway 395
With 72 hours of “free-time”, so we headed out on a kayaking adventure. Starting our kayaking outing at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, CA for sunrise, it ended in a breathtaking sunset over the Emerald Range. As the road trip continued, our bodies grew tired, the milky way was overhead, and we cuddled in the van.
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