Backpacking trip reports, trail guides, and gear advice from the Sierra Nevada, Pacific Northwest, and beyond.https://lilymtang.com/https://lilymtang.com/blog/5-bay-area-hikes/https://lilymtang.com/blog/5-bay-area-hikes/Fresh air and quality time with nature without needing to get too far away from the city.Wed, 29 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/3-days-on-the-trans-catalina-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/3-days-on-the-trans-catalina-trail/The Trans-Catalina Trail off the coast of Southern California was the perfect choice for a winter backpacking trip. We hiked it in 3 days over President's Day weekend.Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/strenuous-yosemite-trio-four-mile-panorama-half-dome/https://lilymtang.com/blog/strenuous-yosemite-trio-four-mile-panorama-half-dome/This route combines the best of Yosemite: Glacier Point, Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and the Mist Trail, in 2 days of backpacking.Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/yosemite-half-dome/https://lilymtang.com/blog/yosemite-half-dome/With stunning waterfalls, technical climbing, and panoramic views, backpacking to the top of Half Dome when the cables are down is the ultimate adventure.Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/wedgemount-lake/https://lilymtang.com/blog/wedgemount-lake/The trail to Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park is steep: 1100 meters in just 7 kilometers, with lots of scrambling over tree roots and boulders, but the reward at the top is a glaciated paradise.Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/backpacking-grand-canyon-of-the-tuolumne-yosemite/https://lilymtang.com/blog/backpacking-grand-canyon-of-the-tuolumne-yosemite/This 30-mile point-to-point hike follows the Tuolumne River. Highlights include waterfalls, swimming holes, and impressive granite canyons.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/point-reyes-coast-campground-secret-amphitheater/https://lilymtang.com/blog/point-reyes-coast-campground-secret-amphitheater/This easy overnighter can be extended with an optional side trip to the not-so-secret Secret Amphitheater, a naturally-formed cave that collapsed and now opens up to the sky.Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/fall-backpacking-lake-schmidell-fontanillis/https://lilymtang.com/blog/fall-backpacking-lake-schmidell-fontanillis/Lake Schmidell and Fontanillis Lake are 2 popular out-and-back backpacking destinations in Desolation Wilderness. I strung them together into the same overnight trip by hiking the trails point-to-point.Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/dusy-basin-via-bishop-pass/https://lilymtang.com/blog/dusy-basin-via-bishop-pass/Dusy Basin is a high alpine basin located in Kings Canyon National Park. This out-and-back trip starts at South Lake, passes several lakes on the way to Bishop Pass, then descends to Dusy Basin on the other side of the pass.Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/four-lakes-loop/https://lilymtang.com/blog/four-lakes-loop/The Four Lakes Loop connects 4 alpine lakes in the heart of the Red Trinities, the east side of the Trinity Alps.Mon, 06 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/tuolumne-nelson-lake-to-cathedral-lakes/https://lilymtang.com/blog/tuolumne-nelson-lake-to-cathedral-lakes/This 3 day backpacking trip to Nelson, Matthes, Echo and Cathedral Lakes is an approachable cross-country trip in the remote Yosemite Tuolumne backcountry.Wed, 25 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/island-and-twin-lakes-desolation/https://lilymtang.com/blog/island-and-twin-lakes-desolation/Only 7 miles round-trip, Island and Twin Lakes is a high-reward and low-effort Desolation Wilderness classic. It's great for a first-time backpacker, but also offers multiple off-trail options for the more experienced.Tue, 27 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/kalalau-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/kalalau-trail/Beachfront camping at Kalalau Beach and the stunning ridges of the Nāpali Coast are highlights of the 11 mile-long Kalalau Trail in Kauai.Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/late-summer-backpacking-by-fontanillis-lake/https://lilymtang.com/blog/late-summer-backpacking-by-fontanillis-lake/Fontanillis Lake in the Desolation Wilderness paired with an optional scramble up the nearby Dicks Peak is an ideal destination for a quick and easy overnighter.Fri, 26 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/tomales-point-point-reyes/https://lilymtang.com/blog/tomales-point-point-reyes/A family-friendly hike in Point Reyes National Seashore known for its coastal views, tule elk and other wildlife, and abundant wildflowers in the spring.Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/joffre-lakes-backpacking/https://lilymtang.com/blog/joffre-lakes-backpacking/A short but stunning overnight trip to three glacial lakes in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, BC.Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/rae-lakes-loop/https://lilymtang.com/blog/rae-lakes-loop/The 4-5 day loop is a High Sierra classic that takes you through the remote, eastern side of Kings Canyon National Park.Wed, 24 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/panorama-ridge/https://lilymtang.com/blog/panorama-ridge/Panorama Ridge is an iconic 20 mi/32 km hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park that offers 360-degree views of Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Helm Creek, and the surrounding mountains.Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/pohono-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/pohono-trail/A 13-mile trail located on Yosemite Valley’s south rim that connects Tunnel View and Glacier Point.Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/big-sur-backpacking-vicente-flat/https://lilymtang.com/blog/big-sur-backpacking-vicente-flat/Stunning scenery and easy logistics make this trip a quintessential introduction to backpacking.Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/stuart-fork-emerald-and-sapphire-lakes/https://lilymtang.com/blog/stuart-fork-emerald-and-sapphire-lakes/A long 13 mile hike up the Stuart Fork valley ends at 2 alpine gems, Emerald Lake and Sapphire Lake.Wed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/wildflowers-soberanes-canyon-loop-garrapata-state-park/https://lilymtang.com/blog/wildflowers-soberanes-canyon-loop-garrapata-state-park/An incredibly diverse, 5 mile day hike close to Monterey, and even better in May when the hillsides are bursting with wildflowers.Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/lake-aloha-desolation/https://lilymtang.com/blog/lake-aloha-desolation/An early-season overnighter to Lake Aloha, the “thousand island lake” of Desolation Wilderness.Fri, 03 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/happy-isles-to-clouds-rest-quarter-domes/https://lilymtang.com/blog/happy-isles-to-clouds-rest-quarter-domes/This strenuous hike out of Happy Isles takes you to an off-trail camp spot with a view that rivals that of Cloud’s Rest.Thu, 31 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-wilderness-permits/https://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-wilderness-permits/Backpacking permits 101: why they exist, when you need them, and how to get them.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-the-kalalau-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-the-kalalau-trail/The Kalalau Trail is a 22-mile out-and-back hike along the Napali Coast in Kauai.Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/ultralight-backpacking-camera-gear-guide/https://lilymtang.com/blog/ultralight-backpacking-camera-gear-guide/Discussing my minimalist camera setup from the perspective of a hiker and backpacker. This includes tradeoffs to keeping my kit as ultralight backpacking-friendly as possible, and my favorite ways to carry a camera while hiking. Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-the-lost-coast-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-the-lost-coast-trail/The Lost Coast Trail spans 25 miles of remote coastline in the King Range National Conservation Area.Sat, 16 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-backpacking-the-trans-catalina-trail-tct/https://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-backpacking-the-trans-catalina-trail-tct/The Trans-Catalina Trail is a 38.5 mile trail that spans Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Highlights are ridge hiking, ocean views, and beachfront camping.Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/routeburn-track-guide/https://lilymtang.com/blog/routeburn-track-guide/A 33 km (21 mile) Great Walk that connects Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park.Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/tuolumne-meadows-to-devils-postpile-via-jmt/https://lilymtang.com/blog/tuolumne-meadows-to-devils-postpile-via-jmt/This 39-mile point-to-point route starts in Tuolumne Meadows and ends at Devils Postpile.Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/gear/https://lilymtang.com/blog/gear/Whether you are a beginner trying to assemble your first set of gear or an experienced backpacker looking to make some upgrades, this post is for you! I will be going over all of the gear I love and currently use in detail.Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-thru-hiking-the-wonderland-trail/https://lilymtang.com/blog/guide-to-thru-hiking-the-wonderland-trail/A 93-mile circumnavigation of Mount Rainier in Washington that takes 7-12 days to complete.Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT