ASCEND & WANDER

The 'Lost Coast' refers to an undeveloped and remote portion of the California coastline. It's the only significant section on the American western coastline without highway access. The rugged terrain,  steepness, and related geotechnical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of land too costly for established routes through the area.  Driving to the northern trailhead (Mattole)  introduces you to the communities of Mattole, Ferndale, Petrolia, and Humbolt. The trail is mainly situated on federal land, operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and known as the King Range National Conservation Area. Though very few people still own private land and fulfill the definition  of living "off the grid." The trail is 40 km (25 miles) and usually takes 3 days to complete. The hiking is slower than usual due to the soft sand, but this itinerary can easily be shortened or extended. However, it is essential to plan according to the local ti...

The Arizona National Scenic Trail traverses 800 miles across the state from Mexico to Utah. I hiked the southern section (250 miles) in March of 2019 from the US-Mexico border to a small town called Oracle. It was an incredible way to spend the two weeks of 'Spring Break'. Hopefully I will return in early Spring or late Fall to continue along the trail from where I left off.  My trip started with a flight from Bellingham to Tucson. I had been in contact with one of the local 'trail angles' a couple weeks prior. The very generous stranger (a retired navy veteran) offered to support my hike by driving me from the airport directly to the southern terminus in Coronado National Forest, which  saved me both financially and logistically. Thanks again JD for  the warm welcome to Arizona.. . By afternoon that same day, I was standing at Montezuma Pass with Mexico on one side and the USA on the other. Montezuma Pass The Mexico-USA border A rustic barbed wire f...