Category Archives: Activities

Trail Life USA – a Christian-based alternative to the Boy Scouts of America

traillifeusaAs the Boy Scouts – an organization that I have long admired – trundles down a path that I believe is going to end up tearing the organization apart, a new group – Trail Life USA – has emerged.  The faith-based group believes that they are set to become a premiere organization for boys and young men. Their stated goal is to “counter the ‘moral free-fall’ of the nation, and ‘raise a generation of faithful husbands, fathers, citizens and leaders.'”  As they become more and more public, the group has captured attention because of their open competition with the BSA.  Their mission is to “provide a robust alternative to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).” The name of the group was chosen to avoid any political or controversial undertones. Continue reading

Amusing Planet on Half Dome, The Granite Peak at Yosemite National Park

Amusing Planet posted a blog with GREAT pictures about Half Dome and the joys of hiking to the top.

From the article:

The trail starts with a 13.7 km hike, followed by a rigorous 3.2 km approach including several hundred feet of granite stairs. The final 400-foot ascent up the peak’s steep but somewhat rounded east face is ascended with the aid of a pair of post-mounted braided steel cables raised on posts that lead to the breath-taking summit. This cable route was constructed close to the Anderson route in 1919 by the Sierra Club for visitors who have no rock climbing ability or equipment. Following the Half Dome Cables Trail is a unique experience, and it has become one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park. As many as 1,000 hikers per day have sometimes climbed the dome on a summer weekend, and about 50,000 hikers climb it every year.

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CA4WD Club’s High Sierra Poker Run 8/30 – 9/2 Sign Up Now!

The California Association of 4WD Clubs has posted details about their upcoming High Sierra Poker Run that taks place over Labor Day Weekend at the end of August:

Have you ever thought of running the Dusy Ershim Trail, but never had enough time to do it? We have the answer. The scenic Swamp Lake Trail offers the same beautiful scenery but can be run in one day, or you can enjoy it over a two-day period with the return of our overnight run. If you think the Swamp Lake Trail is too difficult, we have the scenic beauty of the Bald Mountain Trail with spectacular views of Shaver Lake.

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American Hiking Society’s petition to protect hiking on National Scenic Trails from mountain biking

I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a fan of mountain bikes shooting down hiking trails.  While there are certainly some mountain bikers who are cognizant of others, the vast majority of mountain bikers I’ve encountered have been rude, unsafe cyclists who don’t seem to be in control of their equipment; I’ve seen far more accidents involving bikers running into hikers than the other way around.

That’s not to say that I think mountain biking should be legislated out.  I just don’t believe that having a bunch of speeding cyclists who can’t control their machinery sharing the road with hikers is a good thing.  Mountain biking is a great outdoor sport, it is great exercise, and it results in some spectacular YouTube footage.

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Hiking the Sierras

Dick Hagerty, an Oakdale real estate developer active in community nonprofits, has written an excellent community column in the Modesto Bee about getting outdoors and hiking the Sierras.

I truly love getting outdoors, and I encourage everyone to visit the cathedrals of nature and see what something beyond your TV screen and computer monitor.  The world is a wide and wonderous place!

From the column:

It is not too late in the summer season to take a short drive up to the mountains and enjoy a day hiking through the woods and the wilderness. We just did the Panorama Trail in Yosemite this week, and despite the very strenuous ups and downs it was one of the all time greatest view treks I have ever experienced.

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