Here in Southern California, those of us Earthboxers that have our gardens set up in mule deer country know the pain: browsing deer keep your backyard on their agenda planners, as were you giving out fine dining loyalty rewards points. Of course this isn’t limited to our area, nor to mule deer, and thus when I was visiting family on …
Energy Requirements for Light Pack, Day Hiking – Part 1 – Total Daily Energy Needs
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be construed as professional medical advice; only you, your doctor and nutritionist are qualified to provide customized healthcare that works for you. Hello day hikers! After writing this article, I’ve come up with more comprehensive, sensitive and accurate energy models and calculators for day hiking. So if you’re here, looking for how many calories …
Musch Trail – Topanga State Park
Musch Trail in Topanga State Park provides the most diversity of landscape, terrain, grade, flora and fauna that the hiker can observe in the park, out of its many trails. There is a bridge cross near the trailhead; there are an abundance of wildflowers that vary as a function of the several micro eco-systems the trail experiences; there are shadowy, …
Hiking Shoes for Light Pack, Day Hiking on California’s Hiking Trails
Recommended light pack, day hiking shoes I use for dealing with the variety of terrain on California’s hiking trails. I’m based out of the Southern California Mediterranean climate zone, with the vertically challenging Santa Monica Mountains in my immediate vicinity, and the equally challenging San Gabriel Mountains in the periphery. Thus my go-to trails not only can have grade related …
Eagle Rock Trail – Trippet Ranch to Eagle Rock by Way of East Topanga Fire Road – Topanga State Park
The trail to Eagle Rock from Trippet Ranch, by way of East Topanga Fire Road, is the most popular and visible trail in the park. The trail sits upon the local mountain ridge, such that hikers are served a continuous set of open, overlooking views of the surrounding forests, fields, and distant rocky crests that permeate the park. Once one …
Hiking in the Shade at Topanga State Park
How to Hike Mostly in the Shade at Topanga State Park There may be times you want to visit Topanga State Park to hike, and get a decent hike in, but minimize your sun exposure for a variety of reasons: sun allergy (and devil’s itch or hell’s itch), recent sunburn, avoidance of sun damage to skin, avoiding overheating in the …
DIY Solar Powered Battery Bank (Waterproof) for Camping
Here’s a DIY solar powered battery bank I built a few years back, specifically to be waterproof for camping. I’ve used it several times to run my 12 volt fan, which is small enough to hang in my tent, but still big enough to keep the entire tent’s air moving. It also powers my USB Edison LED lights to keep …
Hikes With the Best Air Quality Near Los Angeles
Which Hiking Trails Near Los Angles Have the Best Air Quality? The hiking trails around Los Angeles with the best air quality are those at Santa Anita Canyon in Arcadia and other Angeles National Forest trails nearby to it, Castaic Lake in Castaic, Corral Canyon Loop and Dry Gulch Trail in Malibu, Topanga State Park in Topanga, and the Wildwood …