Top 3 Wilderness Survival Tips!

Hello Trailblazers! Make sure you are prepared next time you go out on the trails! Watch a brand new episode of trailblazing TV with Ben McSputters!!!

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Round Valley Regional Reserve

Hello Trailblazers! Welcome to the Round Valley Regional Reserve in Brentwood California! This low level mountain area is a real fun wintertime day trip for a moderate to easy hike.

Right now is probably the perfect time to go since most of the grass is beginning to turn green on the hills, the temperature is still pretty nice, and the views here are very relaxing. There are a lot of picture perfect moments in this area as you can see above. No need to worry about bugs, overcrowded trails, or scorching hot temperatures. There is plenty of shade when walking through the trees, and several of the creek beds are dried up. So if you want to go off trail and explore them go right ahead! I took my picture above in a dried out creek which took us right in between two mountains.

This was a fun hike and the best part was we didn't have to go too far to see some beautiful scenery. Have fun!

YOSEMITE!!!

Today Trailblazers we feature the BIGGEST and BEST park of them all! I am referring to the wonderful Yosemite National Park! This park is filled with some tremendous and wonderful sights to keep you awe struck for hours and hours.

I decided to include an old black and white photo to capture the true rugged essence of Yosemite. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, it doesn't matter. Yosemite's beauties are enhanced by all the seasons. If you are really itching for a great hike this winter break, grab a buddy and drive up to Yosemite for some snow shoe hiking. If you have ever wanted to experience a true winterwonderland with ice capped mountains, white valleys, and cool crisp air you should go to Yosemite.

So do it now, what are you waiting for!?!

Until the next trail calls!

I had no idea...

Hello everyone! I often post about the trails I have blazed through, carving my footprint on awesome trails. But I have never stopped to think about how EXACTLY are these trails created in the first place.

At Henry W. Coe State Park, which is in Morgan Hill and is THE LARGEST state park in Northern California, there is actually a group of volunteers dedicated to making it happen.

If you are interested in learning how the process of clearing trails is done through wild terrain mark your calendars for "Fall Trail Day" on November 1st. They have a day set up where an experienced guide shows you how this is done, and you use the tools they provide you with to go about clearing trails.

Visit: http://www.coepark.org/trailwork.html for more information.

Happy Trail Hunting!

Mt. Diablo

Have you ever driven by the 680 and noticed that huge mountain near the Danville and San Ramon area? Yeah, thats Mount Diablo!

Pick a day when the skies are clear and blue, when the temperatures are not too warm, and when the winds are calm and mellow to visit this awesome mountain range! Make sure you bring some cash, there is a 5-10 dollar entrance fee because it is a state park.

Your first order of business once you arrive? Drive to the summit, you get a full 360 view of the surrounding area near a stone observatory. Make sure to bring your camera and don't fall over!!!

Once your done at the summit drive down to any of the car stop areas and explore, there are so many pit stop areas along the way where you can stop, reflect on things, and explore the surrounding trails.

And for you hard core trailblazers, try going in the fall. I hear the tarantulas come out in the HUNDREDS for their annual mating! Doesn't that sound like fun?

Trinity Alps Wilderness!

Hello fellow trailblazers! This week features a blast from the past, a hiking trip that I just had to post for many many reasons. In May 2008 several of my friends and I decided to go backpacking into the Trinity Alps wilderness for the very first time. It was a test of the body and mind, truly the alps are NOT a place to come unprepared. We stayed there for 3 nights and hiked an average of 15 miles each day carrying 40 pounds on our backs (Not Recommended)!

We found a beautiful camp site next to a running stream with ice cold water freshly thawed from the mountains. The Alps are a hikers dream with scenic trails, ice cold running water, and high elevations. This hike was very difficult, mostly uphill, and the trails had been ravaged by previous rain storms. What does that mean? Well there were plenty of fallen trees and bushes to block your path.

Trip Highs: Seeing Morris Meadows, eating lots of smores, campfires, making our own spears, waking up next to the stream, seeing various wildlife (bears and deers). Yes I saw a bear and survived!!!!

Trip Lows: Hiking with 40 pounds of gear, getting rained on, and missing home cooked food.

I challenge you to challenge yourself and plan a backpacking trip into the Trinity Alps wilderness. Make sure you plan way in advance, talk to the park rangers to get tips on which trails are the best to hit, and avoid the busy times of the year (June-August).

You will not be disappointed, it was truly a grand experience for us all!

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Hike!

Hello again fellow trailblazers! I just came back from another HOT but beautiful hike from the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon. This particular hike goes up very steep trails, but there is plenty of shade along the way. Make sure you do pack 2 bottles of water, as I quickly ran out of water and had to "tough it out". The view is amazing since you are facing Bollinger Canyon Road and get beautiful views of San Ramon and Mount Diablo. If you want beautiful trails in the heart of awesome mountains I highly recommend this hike. At the top of the hill was a great view of San Francisco and the greater bay area!!

OH! Also if you are an avid mountain biker or enjoy horseback riding through great trails, this is a spot you should check out. Visit their website online for more pictures and information: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/las_trampas

Happy Hiking, see you soon!

Halloween Photoshop Image!!

Happy Early Halloween fellow trailblazers! I caught an interesting hike the other day, on the surface of the moon! For some reason I felt like dressing up as a munchkin with my pumpkin head friend.

Stay tuned for more trail posts, enjoy the image! And remember, don't eat any candy on the trails...

Sunol Regional Wilderness Trails!

Despite hiking in a hot and sunny August day the Sunol regional wilderness trail was an absolutely amazing experience!

I recommend that you do not hike this in the intense summer heat, this park has great scenery but you are exposed to the sun. What's unique about this place is that they have an awesome ranger station with a museum that shows you what wildlife you can encounter. Beware once you enter there is a huge mountain lion!!! Don't worry its not alive, but stuffed. :(

I threw on my backpack, made sure I had a full bottle of water, ate some trail mix, and applied a lot of sunscreen. I crossed the wooden bridge and took a right on Indian Joe Creek Trail. The hike was long and mostly uphill. My destination? These huge slabs of rocks on the summit of the hill where apparently many many bats are living in... Did I encounter any wildlife? Absolutely! I didn't see any bats but I did encounter a couple of cows grazing on the hills watching me and wondering "Why are you climbing when its so hot out?".

Anyways, I finally made it to the top and what a view it was! It was worth the hike, and the rock slabs were beautiful but dangerous. I had to watch my step. I decided to continue on the trail which would take me back down to the ranger station. Overall it took about 2 hours to complete the entire trail.

Directions: 680 South to Calaveras exit. Turn left on Caleveras and proceed for 4 miles. At Geary Road take a left and you are there!

Responsibilities and Opportunities of Bloggers

So what are the responsibilities and opportunities of bloggers? Do they even have any?

I believe so, because blogging is perceived as a one to many communication, but it also has a very strong pull towards one to one communication. Blog posts carry a very genuine, rich, and creative vibe to it which carries a significant appeal compared to traditional news stories. It feels as if we are in a discussion with the blogger and have a great opportunity to reply back with our feedback. One to one.

The responsibilities weigh high in this situation because bloggers must be aware of this appeal to readers and not use their postings to spread disinformation or hatred. If bloggers want to continue to be seen as citizen journalists, they must post with all same ethics and moral guidelines that traditional journalists use in their professions.

Blogs do have a lot of potential to appeal to our different tastes, hobbies, likes, and dislikes. This is why the blogging possibilities are endless. Simply Recipes show us that bloggers can post about how to bake brownies and other cookies, and Miss W and her Smartboard shows us that blogs can be used to connect with other industry professionals.

I believe blog authors also do have a role to enhance this connectivity with other people discussing similar topics. Blogging should not be based on competition against other bloggers, it should be based on connecting readers with other bloggers and enhancing the collective wisdom within the WWW.

My 2 cents.

Welcome Trailblazers!

Thanks for stopping by on our journey through the wonderful east bay trails of California! I will be your guide through these wonderful paths. Just remember to pack some water and trail mix!

John.