DOOSVIEW

  The Most Magical Hike in the Eastern Sierra DOOSVIEW Sierra Trail Guide • Episode 05   I've hiked many beautiful places throughout the Sierra Nevada. The first time I stood in Yosemite Valley and looked up at Half Dome , I was amazed. The first time I saw El Capitan , I couldn't believe how massive it was. But Big Pine Lake No. 2 surprised me in a completely different way. El Capitan felt monumental. Half Dome felt iconic. Big Pine Lake No. 2 felt magical. The unreal turquoise water beneath Temple Crag looked more like something from a fantasy movie  than a real mountain landscape. Even after hiking many trails across the Sierra Nevada, this is still  my favorite view in the Eastern Sierra. Why I Keep Coming Back There are only a few trails I make a point of revisiting every year. Big Pine Lakes is one of them. The scenery is one reason. The other is timing.  Because the trailhead begins at around   7,800 feet (2,377 m) , it usually...

Episode 06 — Duck Pass Mammoth Lakes, California "The view that brought me back one week later." Why Hike Duck Pass? Some hikes reward you with distance. Others reward you with difficulty. Duck Pass rewards you with one of the biggest alpine views in the Eastern Sierra after a surprisingly short hike. I've hiked many trails throughout the Sierra Nevada, but I can't remember another trail where such a relatively short climb opened into a panorama like this. Standing at Duck Pass, three layers unfold in front of you. First, the deep navy-blue water of Duck Lake. Behind it, the smaller Pika Lake. And beyond both, the Sierra Crest stretching across the horizon. It's a view that photographs struggle to capture. The scale has to be experienced in person. Quick Facts Distance: 7.9 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1,791 ft Highest Elevation: 10,797 ft (Duck Pass) Difficulty: Moderate Best Season: June–October Visited: Mid-June My Hiking Time: 6.5 hour...

Santa Clarita Hiking Guide Lyons Ranch Loop Trail Ridge Hike with the Best Views Quick Facts Location Santa Clarita Woodlands Park Santa Clarita California Trail Lyons Ranch Loop Trail Distance About 5 miles loop Elevation Gain About 900 feet Difficulty Moderate overall Technical Section Near the peak there is a short ridge section about 0.2 mile long that becomes very steep and can feel sketchy Estimated Time 2 to 3 hours Extended Training Option Can connect with nearby Towsley Canyon trails for about 10 miles total Trail Information Lyons Ranch Hiking in Santa Clarita Lyons Ranch Loop Trail One of the Best Santa Clarita Hiking Views Lyons Ranch Loop Trail is one of the most scenic hiking routes in Santa Clarita California. Located in Santa Clarita Woodlands Park near the Towsley Canyon trail system, this hike climbs onto a long ridge that offers wide open views of the Santa Clarita Valley . In my opinion this trail easily ranks among the top three viewpoints in Santa Clarita. Many l...

  Watchman Trail Zion National Park Easy Scenic Hike Near Visitor Center with Panoramic Canyon Views Quick Facts Location : Zion National Park Utah Trail Name : Watchman Trail Distance : 3.3 miles round trip Elevation : Gain 370 feet Difficulty : Easy to Moderate Trailhead : Zion Canyon Visitor Center Best Season :  Year round Time Needed :1.5 to 2.5 hours Why Watchman Trail is One of the Best Easy Hikes in Zion If you are looking for an easy hike in Zion National Park with beautiful canyon views, Watchman Trail is one of the best options. I hiked Watchman Trail in January during the afternoon after visiting Observation Point earlier that day. Because the trail is located near the Zion visitor center, it felt convenient and accessible, but the scenery turned out to be much more impressive than expected. For visitors searching for short hikes in Zion or things to do near the Zion entrance, this trail provides a great balance between effort and reward. Trailhea...