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Welcome to my outdoor adventure blog! I hope you find inspiration, happiness and knowledge while visiting my site. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your outdoor adventure!

Xx

Kristen

Essential Guide to the Ultimate Day Pack and Summer Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra

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If you havenโ€™t noticed, summer is here!

The temperatures have been rising quicker than usual and with a less than average snowpack this year, that means more and more backcountry trails are quickly becoming accessible to hiking. Since we had a very late start to summer last year due to our epic winter, I am already getting a head start on backcountry summer excursions in my huge backyard.

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Diving into my blog posts, one read at a time

I recently went through my blog and sorted through past posts that can prepare anyone for the best day hiking adventure around the Eastern Sierra. From what to pack in your daypack, a breakdown of the ten essentials and my favorite Trader Joeโ€™s trail snacks to summer hiking and my favorite day hikes in both the Eastern Sierra and Southern California, I hope you can find some helpful information (and maybe have a laugh or two) from this compilation of blog posts as you prepare for summer hiking.

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What do I pack in my daypack?

I recently saw a post on social media about someone inquiring what to pack for a day hike. Everyone quickly responded, โ€œthe ten essentialsโ€.

Well yes, of course, but are those, what do they mean, and letโ€™s review the minute details associate with each one of the ten essentials: I thoroughly went through my entire blog and compiled a list of my posts that were specific to the ten essentials: 

Essential #1: Navigation, More Than Just a Map

Essential #2: Sun Protection

Essential #3: Insulation

Essential #4: Illumination

Essential #5: First Aid/Emergency kit

Essential #6: Fire

Essential #7: Repair Kit and Tools

Essential #8: Nutrition

Essential #9: Hydration

Essential #10: Shelter

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Summer hiking is a much different ballgame compared to winter hiking

Obviously my summer daypack drastically differs from my winter daypack. My winter daypack always consists of gloves, beanie, and puffy jacket whereas my extra layer in my summer pack is usually a windbreaker (I recently purchased the lightweight, water-resistant, and windproof ยพ hoodie by Cotopaxi). I also purchased a summer hammock and a rash guard for paddleboarding. YAY SUMMER!

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For anyone who wants to read about day hiking with their furry companion: Day hiking with a dog

For anyone who wants to read all about my favorite Overnight Backpacking Hacks

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Favorite Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra

I have hiked all of these trails below and have included some trip reports for some of them below. Some of these I have done as short backpacking trips, however, they are all very do-able as day hikes:

  • Lundy Canyon to Lake Helen

  • McGee Creek

  • Rock Creek/Mosquito flats

  • Duck Pass to Deer lakes to Crystal Lake

  • Sabrina Lake Basin

  • South Lake trailhead

  • 20 Lakes Basin

  • North Lake Trailhead

  • Pine Creek Trailhead to Italy Pass

  • Glass Mountain from Sawmill Campground

  • Convict Lake to Dorothy Lake

  • Reds Meadows to Minaret Lake

  • Inyo craters

  • Big pine lakes

  • Ten lakes basin

  • Kearsage pass to Charlotte Lake

  • Horton Lakes

  • Piute Pass

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For a full list of my favorite trails in Southern California, click here

Cheap Outdoor Gear for the Frugal Adventurer

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Thanks for reading this compilation of blog posts to get you ready for summer hiking!

Xx

Kristen

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Mind the Gap: Exploring Age Diversity in the Outdoors

SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) in the Eastern Sierra