redwoods Archives

Forest of Nisene Marks: Five Finger Falls

Paulina DaoMay 27, 201401.4K views

Forest of Nisene Marks: Five Fingers Falls

The Forest of Nisene Marks in Aptos, CA is one of those little known gems in the Bay Area. Trails wind through the Santa Cruz Mountains under second-growth redwoods.

I set off to explore Five Finger Falls here after hearing many great things about it. The trail was long and semi-strenuous. I started at the Porter Famil Picnic Area and headed up the Aptos Creek Fire Road for a little over a mile. From there, there was a sign to Aptos Creek Trail out to Five Finger Falls.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park: Matt Davis-Steep Ravine Loop

Paulina DaoApril 22, 201401.1K views

Stopped by Stinson Beach this past weekend with the boyfriend where we had our first not-date, and decided to cheesily celebrate our year and a half anniversary with a hike, mini picnic and wine.

Hiking Uvas Canyon County Park, Alec Canyon & Waterfall Loop

Paulina DaoApril 14, 201402K views

Nestled in the eastern Santa Cruz Mountains between Morgan Hill and Watsonville is Uvas Canyon County Park. With Swanson Creek flowing year-round and tall hills, this is a great place for some mellow and scenic hiking away, but not away, from civilization. You can hit miles of trails and still be back in time for brunch. I met up with my longtime Instagram friend, Christian Arballo, and set off to explore some trails in this new-to-us park!

Hiking Fern Canyon and the Waterfall Loop, Russian Gulch State Park

Paulina DaoApril 2, 201406.9K views

Hiking Russian Gulch State Park, Fern Canyon Waterfall Loop

If Big Sur is a popular cheerleader, Mendocino is her older, cooler, more aloof older sister. Situated four hours north of San Francisco, this North Coast destination has plenty to offer the weekend warrior. Russian Gulch State Park and the Fern Canyon and Waterfall Loop are some trails that should not be missed.

Hiking Big Ben Loop, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Paulina DaoMarch 3, 201432.1K views

The redwoods are always my favorite place to escape in inclement weather. There’s nothing quite like hiking under the protection of dense branches towering way above, being tickled by little bits of rain, and listening to roaring creeks.

When Wine Hiker heard that An Epic Adventurer was coming to town, he made wine hiking plans, lickety split and invited Chasqui Mom (and #outfam) and I along!