2nd day: Starting off fighting snow, heading north on the PCT as the trail eventually gets to a ridge line walk. We headed up, appropriately, Big Ridge for the day's destination, then returned to Paradise Lake.
All the details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/04/paradise-big-ridge.html
#California #SiskiyouCounty #KlamathNationalForest #MarbleMountainWilderness #PacificCrestTrail #PCT
#backpacking #hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger #snow #lakes
[3/3] Day 3 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Finishing the circuit with two more named peaks to tag on the way. First Blue Slide by the side of the trail just before everything got dicey. Second Horsehead Mountain where three forests and three major watersheds meet.
More info here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-blue-slide-and-horsehead.html
#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #SixRiversNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilerness
#hiking #nature #landscape #outside #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking #hike #blogpost
[2/3] Day 2 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Headed up to Buck Ridge and up the yolla bolly (snowy mountains, well, mountain) of Shell Mountain. They really should all be yolla bolly at the moment.
More is here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-buck-ridge-and-shell.html
#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking
The second day backpacking, there was much ridge views and even a peak to bag (Rattlesnake Mountain) along both the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the Boundary National Recreation Trail.
For more info, check this link: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/11/twizt-red-devils-rattlesnake-mountain.html
#California #RougeRiverSiskiyouNationalForest #KlamathNationalForest #SiskiyouNationalForest #SiskiyouCounty #RedButtesWilderness
#backpacking #hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #PCT #PacificCrestTrail #BigfootTrail
On Monday, February 9, I climbed Cookes Peak, the highpoint of the Cookes Range in Southwestern New Mexico. Cookes Peak is a remarkable landmark, one I have often admired as we passed by on our autumn and spring migrations between Arizona and Oregon.
https://www.glassmountains.net/wp/cookes-peak-new-mexico-feb-2026/
#CookesPeak #CookesRange #NewMexico #Hiking #Peakbagging #HikeNewMexico #ExploreNewMexico #Mountains
If you’re a user or potential user of my peak bagging app Peakist, there is an update coming soon to add the 2026 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge with it’s 2 new towers.
I had hoped this could go out with a larger feature update that is coming along but I’m going to push the Tower list update and the new features will follow after.
Day 2 had the one peak to bag with its Buena Vista as well as some beautiful lakes to stop by: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/08/buena-yosemite-buena-vista-lake-and.html
#YosemiteNationalPark #California #MariposaCounty #MaderaCounty #YosemiteWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #Yosemite #peakBagging #peakbagger
A few feet from the very top of the HIGHEST peak in ALL of California's coastal ranges (taller than the coastal ranges of Oregon and Washington, too) and this thing pops up into view.
...
First look at the mighty Mount Shasta while on the way up Mount Eddy. Eddy stands 9k feet (2751m), with 5k feet (1556m) prominence, but Shasta overshadows it a bit at 14k feet (3417m).
On Wednesday, August 6, I climbed Castle Rock, a steep volcanic plug north of the community of Juntura in Eastern Oregon. I have often noted Castle Rock rising above as I drove east over Drinkwater Pass between Burns and Juntura. Castle Rock is also prominent to the south from many peaks in the southern Blue Mountains. It has 1524 feet of topographic prominence and a distinctive shape.
https://www.glassmountains.net/wp/castle-rock-oregon-aug-2025/
#CastleRockOregon #Oregon #Hiking #Peakbagging #HikeOregon #ExploreOregon #Mountains
On Sunday, July 27, I hiked Fish Creek Mountain, a peak in the Mount Hood National Forest with 1432 feet of topographic prominence.
https://www.glassmountains.net/wp/fish-creek-mountain-oregon-jul-2025/
#FishCreekMountain #MountHoodNationalForest #CascadeRange #Oregon #Hiking #Peakbagging #HikeOregon #ExploreOregon #Mountains
Valerie Norton
Paul McClellan
Patrick McConnell