Yosemite National Park is one of the premier areas for outdoor recreation in America and a great place to camp. While you can choose from over 1,600 sites (once all the snow clears), park campgrounds often fill completely. Planning ahead is essential. Many campgrounds in Yosemite National Park take reservations, and in peak summer months, these sites are typically booked far in advance. In... Read more.

As dependent as we have become on smartphones, California still has some corners, like Yosemite Valley, where data coverage does not reach. This is a probably a good thing, but it is still handy to have fast information at your fingertips while visiting Yosemite National Park. At its core, Chimani's Yosemite National Park app is a park guide enhanced with a GPS locator. The app is packed... Read more.

Mount Pickering rises to 13,485 feet and offers fine views over the Sierra. While not tall enough to be called a 14er, this 13er offers great views of two of those exclusive peaks, Mount Whitney and Mount Langley, as well as several other high peaks. This remote mountain is located west of the Sierra Crest in the Whitney Region of Sequoia National Park. The backpackers trek to the summit... Read more.

If you are hiking to Sky Blue Lake in the high mountain backcountry of Sequoia National Park, There are nearby lakes worth visiting. Primrose Lake, is located just off the side of Miter Basin and is a scenic destination. To get to Primrose Lake, follow Upper Rock Creek to Miter Basin. Pass the Major General on the right and turn left up the last cirque before the ridge that separates Primrose... Read more.

A remote and picturesque basin on the west side of Sequoia National Park rises to a large lake with waters so deep and blue you will think you are staring up at the heavens. The trek up Miter Basin begins at Rock Creek Meadow, nine miles from the nearest trailhead. Those making the hike typically stay overnight in the area, and nearby Lower Soldier Lake offers great camping for... Read more.

New Army Pass lies at the end of Cottonwood Lakes Trail, 7.5 miles from Horseshoe Meadow. The pass provides off-trail ascents to two nearby summits, Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. A trail down the northwest side of the pass ventures into Sequoia National Park with access to countless backcountry destinations including Lower Soldier Lake, Sky Blue Lake, and Mount Pickering. Lower Soldier... Read more.

Lower Soldier Lake lies at 10,800 feet on the eastern edge of Sequoia National Park. This is a favored place for backpackers to bed down, and for good reason. A host of trails and off-trail targets make this a prime base camp. The nearest trailhead is Horseshoe Meadow in the Golden Trout Wilderness, which offers two routes to Lower Soldier Lake. About half a mile separates the start of the... Read more.

Cirque Peak can be reached from either Cottonwood Pass Trail or Cottonwood Lakes Trail. The mountain rises between the two, straddling the divide of the Golden Trout and John Muir Wildernesses. The summit boasts an excellent panorama with a good look at Mount Langley to the north, the Cottonwood Lakes to the east, and the sprawling Sierra to the west. By far the easiest approach to Cirque... Read more.

Old Cottonwood Creek Trail breaks from the popular Cottonwood Lakes Trail for a more secluded hike into Cottonwood Basin, visiting pristine meadows, alpine lakes, flowing creeks, and amber forests. The trail provides a lovely 8-mile day hike to South Fork Lake, with several options to extend to nearby lakes and peaks. Take Cottonwood Lakes Trail from Horseshoe Meadow as it runs downhill... Read more.

Rising to 14,042 feet, Mount Langley is less than five hundred feet shorter than Mount Whitney but receives far fewer visitors. While the lottery to get a permit for Mount Whitney can be challenging and competitive, Mount Langley's hikers can easily get a free permit on the day of their hike. The summit provides expansive views, solitude, and a deep feeling of accomplishment. At least... Read more.