Camp 4 is a historic campground in Yosemite National Park – and that's not even hyperbole; the campground is listed with the National Register of Historic Places "for its significant association with the history of modern rock climbing in America." Reservations are needed at the other campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, but Camp 4 is the exception, with 35 shared first-come first serve walk-in... Read more.

Tenaja Falls pours over a sandstone staircase in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness of the Santa Ana Mountains. Even through the waterfall's setting is picturesque and remote, the hike to the waterfall is a short and easy, following Tenaja Falls Trail for 1.5 miles round trip with 275 feet of elevation change. Totaling 150 feet in height with multiple tiers, this Southern California waterfall... Read more.

Existing without an official name until 2015, McAuley Peak was already a convenient destination along the Backbone Trail, hosting a distinct rock formation and panoramic views over the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. The name - honoring conservationist, author, and literal trailblazer Milt McAuley - adds even more heft to the peak. This hike to the 2,049-foot crown of McAuley Peak... Read more.

The beautiful Santa Monica Mountains can be a busy place to hike. One trail you can take to feel like a ghost (not see any other hikers) is Phantom Trail. Located on the north side of Malibu Creek State Park, this scarcely visited single track is not as popular as neighboring trails, but you'll be dumbfounded as to why when Phantom Trail provides early panoramas over the rest of the... Read more.

Swinging Bridge in Yosemite Valley seduces photographers with views of Yosemite Falls. This is not a hike to that bridge, which isn't actually a swinging suspension bridge. This is a hike to Wawona Swinging Bridge, which has plenty of bounce in it's step, spanning a boulder-framed chute in the South Fork Merced River. Wawona Swinging Bridge is located at the south end of Yosemite National... Read more.

Wawona Meadow Loop Trail weaves through the forest surrounding a large meadow at the south end of Yosemite National Park, offering a relaxing hike that receives less attention than those in Yosemite Valley. Starting from trailheads on two sides of Wawona Hotel (Big Trees Lodge), Meadow Loop Trail follows an old road for 3.3 miles and can be connected by paths across the hotel ground for a... Read more.

Yosemite National Park's waterfalls are the most famous in the Sierra, but they aren't the only gushers around. Falling close to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park is Corlieu Falls in Sierra National Forest. Heralded as the tallest waterfall Madera County, Corlieu Falls is an enthusiastic cascade, with several tiers dropping around 150 total feet. The hike down Lewis Creek Trail to... Read more.

Nelder Grove Campground has seven shaded sites set within a partially logged grove of giant sequoias in Sierra National Forest. This free campground with minimal amenities offers cozy woodland camping not far from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Nelder Grove Campground is a fine spot for a tucked-away night in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Nelder Grove Campground has seven... Read more.

Within the Nelder Grove of Sierra National Forest, Shadow of the Giants Trail provides an informative stroll through a partially logged sequoia grove. Shadow of the Giants Trail is a self guided nature trail loaded with a couple dozen panels that describe giant sequoias and other surrounding plants. Shadow of the Giants Trail is 1.1 miles round trip with 200 feet of easy elevation change. ... Read more.

Want to see a giant sequoia that's really well grounded? Bull Buck Tree flares out toward the ground so dramatically that its base circumference rivals that of General Sherman Tree( the world's biggest giant Sequoia). Bull Buck Tree cannot compete with the largest giant sequoias by total volume, but it is still something to see! Like nearby Big Ed Tree Trail and Shadow of the Giants Trail,... Read more.