Stuart G.'s Profile

You won't find the Mt. Dana Summit Trail on your National Park Service map and you're unlikely to find it in your hiking guidebook either. What you will find on this trail however, is a challenging trip up the second highest peak in Yosemite National Park which rewards with some of the best panoramic views you'll experience anywhere.

Hike up the side of Yosemite Valley and reap the rewards of one of the finest views in the world.  Sure, you could drive up to Glacier Point and get the same view, but  it's the journey that makes you appreciate it all the more.

Full trail review, photos and trail map over at Trailspotting: http://bit.ly/ZfL0j
(9 1/2 mile out-and-back hike.)

It's difficult to approach Yosemite's Half Dome without a sense of trepidation. Perhaps it's the scale of the seventeen mile hike and 4,800ft elevation gain. Perhaps it's a fear of heights and worry over the final ascent of the cables, almost a mile above the valley floor. Alternatively, maybe it's just the dread of the Yosemite crowds compounded by the added attraction of Half Dome itself.

An early start is essential to mounting an attempt on Yosemite's crowning glory and sunrise is a good time to start.

I have a full trail map and set of photos over here:
Trailspotting - Half Dome: http://bit.ly/HpJAm

Have no doubt the final ascent up Half Dome looks crazy, almost vertical. In truth the climb is relatively safe thanks to the cable & post system erected by the Park, and though steep, the incline rarely exceeds 45 degrees. Anyone who can tackle a 17-mile day hike can overcome this final climb with little difficulty - I've witnessed folk from their early teens to both early teenage kids and folks well into their sixties (and likely much beyond) climbing the cables.

One final note on the crowds. Whilst we prefer our trails to be tranquil and well away from the throngs of the masses, that's never likely to be the case on Half Dome. Unused to sharing the route with such a large of traffic we were surprised to find that we begin to enjoy the company - sharing expressions, comments and even the occasional joke. And perhaps that's because we're mixing with people like us - people who'd get up at 5am to hike seventeen miles up a mountain and back!

You won't find many restaurants or cafes near Lassen National Volcanic Park, but thankfully the restaurant at the Mineral Lodge offers a great menu and great food at a reasonable price.

Located a few miles from the southern park entrance, on the main road which heads west towards the I80 and the San Francisco bay.

Nice semi-shaded 1 1/2 mile trail (each way) to a great waterfall.

Whiskeytown Falls cascades down a series of steps, with a total height around 220ft. Though it's impossible to capture the whole of the falls within the lens of a camera, there are still many photo opportunities to be had and the trail also climbs part-way up the falls for some even better views.

Spring and early summer may be the best times to experience these falls, and although the hike might be uncomfortable for some on the hottest days, the heat is somewhat mitigated by the shade of trees for most of the journey.

Link to trail map, photos and gps downloads .. http://www.trailspotti...

I wouldn't know this place existed if it wasn't for Yelp.  Located under the 101 just a block from main street South San Francisco, its easy to miss it if you don't know what you're looking for, yet it's pretty convenient also.

There are 2-3 non-obvious parking spots directly outside the store, if you don't mind the cars whizzing by.

Great selection of very reasonably priced furniture packed into a maze of interconnecting buildings.  No pushy salespeople, just help when you need it.

Nestled between the beach and the mountain it's the perfect place for a pub, and the perfect place for either a been on the sun-drenched lawns or an after-hike shepherds pie.

Weekend traffic gets a little crazy (Muir Woods visitors coupled with beachgoers) and we find that there's no better way than to discover the Pelican Inn by foot.  Here are a couple of hikes which link the pub to the Tamalpais and Marin Headlands hills ..

- Diaz Ridge Trail (5mi / medium) http://www.trailspotti...
- Coast View Loop (8 1/2mi / medium) http://www.trailspotti...

Oh, and don't forget to ask for the HP Sauce to go with your shepherd's pie!

Snaking up the mountain roads to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais and admiring the greenery and ocean views, it's hard to believe that only a few minutes ago you were still fighting through the San Francisco traffic.

If you're planning a hike, I have a few trails mapped out, rated and photographed over here .. http://www.trailspotti...

The park is huge, and attracts hikers, bikers and sunday-drivers alike.  Highly recommend that you get here early to beat the rest of the Mt. Tam/Muir Woods traffic.

If you're not an early-bird and you're getting frustrated with all the damn traffic, then continue North on the 101 and take Sir Francis Drake Blvd over to Mt. Barnabe instead .. http://www.trailspotti...

Haven't had been able to treat myself to one of these for a few years now, but the memory of the taste still lingers.  Mmmm.  

The tastebuds of this ex-pat Brit is immediately reminded of cornish pasties.  Pastry: awesome.  Chicken curry filling: even awesomer.

Whether you're a Pacifica resident, a Linda Mar surfer or simply taking a coastal drive up Highway 1 you can't fail to notice Gorilla Barbeque in Vallemar. If the smoking, bright orange railroad caboose doesn't catch your eye then the dancing gorilla-suited individual outside is probably a bit of a give-away.

Gimmicks aside, Gorilla BBQ cook a mean piece of meat. After working up an appetite hiking in the hills above Pacifica recently, we stopped in to order a couple of 1-meat combo plates and sides. Despite our monstrous appetites there was still more food than we could handle. Our ribs were cooked to perfection and their signature sauce was just the right amount of sweet, smoky and spicy.