Wilder Walks

Wilder Walks Naturalist-guided backpacking trips exploring California's wildest places. Wilder Walks is an experience of Wilder Pursuits, LLC.
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Wilder Walks provides expert guidance and immersive outdoor adventures to help build better backpackers for deeper nature connections. We lead adventures into environments that showcase the rich biological diversity of California.

Day 13 on the PCT, 4/29/21.Mile 149.6, 18 miles hiked.A year ago today was a scorcher! Over 110 degrees with no shade an...
04/29/2024

Day 13 on the PCT, 4/29/21.
Mile 149.6, 18 miles hiked.

A year ago today was a scorcher! Over 110 degrees with no shade and almost no water.

I started to imagine my body was a car. How much water was left in my tank? Was it enough to get me to the next fill-up? Turns out I can eke out about four Miles-Per-Liter in this heat, if I use an umbrella.

Mile 145.4 was a literal oasis — the only water for miles, and only there by the generosity of Mary, a legendary trail angel. She installed a water tank on her property near the trail and turned the whole place into a chance to rest and recollect.

Her prompt to hikers: “What did you learn in 2020?”

My response: “I learned to accept the futility of making plans and to just hurry up and live the life I want to live now, not later.”

A part of me feels like I’m doing just that every time I head out on another backpacking trip.

Sadly, someone stole Mary’s water tank in 2022 and she closed her oasis. Without Mary, this section is now a 25-30 mile desert hike without water. How many liters would you carry?


I’m digging into the archives of my 2021 PCT thru hike to share some special moments, helpful tips, and lessons I’ve applied to Wilder Walks guided backpacking trips.

Day 7 on the PCT, 4/23/21, mile 68.3, 13.6 miles hikedI broke my foot and tore a ligament a year before I started this h...
04/23/2024

Day 7 on the PCT, 4/23/21, mile 68.3, 13.6 miles hiked

I broke my foot and tore a ligament a year before I started this hike. Combined with a pre-existing accessory navicular and posterior tibial tendonitis… my foot was in bad shape and I was still recovering.

After 4,100+ feet of descent this day, my dogs were really barking. It was a reminder of how much more I prefer hiking uphill than downhill.

But whether or not you have foot pain, I encourage all Wilder Walks backpackers to take your shoes and socks off whenever we stop for lunch. And if anyone’s feet are sore, elevating them on a pack can feel great.

I find that this midday ritual really helps give our feet some relief, and makes it much easier to identify and prevent blisters.


I’m digging into the archives of my 2021 PCT thru hike to share some special moments, helpful tips, and lessons I’ve applied to Wilder Walks guided backpacking trips.

Join an eight-day, seven-night backpacking expedition exploring the must-see highlights of Yosemite National Park’s back...
04/22/2024

Join an eight-day, seven-night backpacking expedition exploring the must-see highlights of Yosemite National Park’s backcountry.

* Walk sections of the legendary John Muir Trail
* Soak in panoramic views atop Cloud’s Rest
* Climb Yosemite’s highest trailed mountain pass 
* Relax each night beneath a canopy of stars
* Level up your backpacking skills in a supportive environment

Yosemite is considered by many to be a crown jewel in the National Park system, and it’s world-famous for good reason. From glimmering granite peaks, to towering ancient forests, to crystal clear creeks and alpine lakes. You can spend a lifetime exploring Yosemite National Park and you’d still just be scratching the surface.

Our route will link together some of the must-see highlights of Yosemite’s backcountry. Along the way, we’ll discuss human history alongside natural history and contemplate the meaning of wilderness and the role of our national parks. We’ll traverse the legendary John Muir Trail, where pristine meadows give way to towering granite cliffs. As we ascend Clouds Rest, we’ll soak in panoramic views of Yosemite Valley – a vantage point most visitors will never see. All the while, we’ll pay respect to the Ahwahneechee people’s ancestral connection to this majestic place as we follow in their footsteps.

Just one trip scheduled for 2024:

August 28, 2024 – September 4, 2024

Day 4, 4/20/21, mile 42.6, 10 miles hikedOne of the coolest parts of any backpacking trip is experiencing the transition...
04/21/2024

Day 4, 4/20/21, mile 42.6, 10 miles hiked

One of the coolest parts of any backpacking trip is experiencing the transitions between different habitats at walking speed.

As we climbed up Mount Laguna in the Cleveland National Forest, we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by towering pine trees. I wasn’t expecting to experience this type of ecosystem until we got closer to the Sierra, some 650 miles north.

It was nice to have a bit of forest hiking so close to the hot dry desert.


I’m digging into the archives of my 2021 PCT thru hike to share some special moments, helpful tips, and lessons I’ve applied to our guided backpacking trips.

Day 2, 4/18/21, mile 20, 11.6 miles hikedWe arose with the sun after spending our first night cowboy camping.It was the ...
04/18/2024

Day 2, 4/18/21, mile 20, 11.6 miles hiked

We arose with the sun after spending our first night cowboy camping.

It was the first time I’d camped without a tent since I was a kid. I was a little nervous about a rattlesnake crawling under my quilt with me, but I ended up sleeping like a rock. The experience of sleeping beneath a canopy of unobstructed stars was a great way to start our trip.

Cowboy camping has practical advantages too. You can do it in places where it may be too cramped or the surface too hard to properly pitch a tent.

It’s also a much more appealing form of camping when the goal of your backpacking trip is to make miles rather than relax at camp.

There are generally two types of backpacking trips: ones where you’re out there to hike as far as you can and see as much as possible, and ones where you seek out epic campsites and hang out around basecamp. Both are great for different reasons.

All Wilder Walks trips are designed to strike a balance between these extremes — and this goal determines where we go and what we bring. That’s why the first step to planning a backpacking trip starts with your intention. Everything else falls in place from there.

Day 1, 4/17/21, 8.4 miles hikedThree years ago today I took the first steps of a journey that I’m still very much on.It ...
04/18/2024

Day 1, 4/17/21, 8.4 miles hiked

Three years ago today I took the first steps of a journey that I’m still very much on.

It began with my brother and I at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail at the US-Mexico border.

I didn’t know how far we’d make it. I was still recovering from a broken foot and my brother had his appendix removed just days before. We were kind of a wreck!

But we’d shared a lifelong dream to hike this trail. My brother was determined to finish. I felt happy to simply put one foot in front of the other and see what nature had in store. What lay ahead taught me more than I could have imagined.

Over the next several months, I’ll be sharing snapshots from our PCT experience and some of the tips and insights I’ve applied to the philosophy behind Wilder Walks trips.

Join a five-day, four-night backpacking adventure summiting Yosemite National Park’s iconic Clouds Rest and Half Dome. T...
03/25/2024

Join a five-day, four-night backpacking adventure summiting Yosemite National Park’s iconic Clouds Rest and Half Dome. This challenging thru-hike rewards with high-elevation meadows, soaring vistas, and rushing waterfalls.

* Climb the cables and reach the summit of Half Dome
* Soak in panoramic views atop Clouds Rest
* Hike the famous John Muir Trail and Mist Trail
* Level up your backpacking skills in a supportive environment

This is the best bang-for-your-buck backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park, and it’s the most ideal itinerary for climbing both Clouds Rest and Half Dome. These are probably the most famous bucket-list summits in the entire park, and getting a permit to climb them has become akin to winning the lottery. Seeing these sights with Wilder Walks not only takes care of the logistics, but also offers an opportunity to improve your backpacking skills and learn more about the natural history of the world-famous Yosemite National Park.

Our route is ideal because it starts in Tuolumne Meadows, one of the highest-elevation meadows in the entire Sierra Nevada. Since this trip is a thru-hike, it means we’ll get to head generally downhill and avoid the strenuous climb up and out of Yosemite Valley. It also means that we’ll get to experience all of the major ecosystems that define Yosemite National Park as we follow in the footsteps of the original Ahwahneechee people through lush meadows, towering pine forests, and other-worldly alpine zones.

Dates:
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 – Sunday, July 28, 2024

Want to climb half dome in July?I’ve secured one of the most coveted permits in Yosemite starting Thursday July 25th. It...
03/07/2024

Want to climb half dome in July?

I’ve secured one of the most coveted permits in Yosemite starting Thursday July 25th. It departs from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead and includes an ascent of Half Dome.

I’m considering adding Half Dome to the strenuous seven night Yosemite High Sierra Highlights route and running that trip with this permit starting 7/25 (see my website for details of that itinerary).

Would any of you be interested in that trip? Or maybe you’d be interested in a shorter three to five night version?

Be bold, start cold!You’ll hear this often among hikers. The idea is to simply start a little chilly and let your body n...
03/01/2024

Be bold, start cold!

You’ll hear this often among hikers. The idea is to simply start a little chilly and let your body naturally warm itself up as you go.

It makes for faster starts with fewer stops and helps you stay in the hiking flow. It also helps prevent getting sweaty, which will only make you colder when you do eventually take a break.

I think about gear and clothing as systems. I’ve got clothes for moving and clothes for resting. My moving clothes are breathable and barely warm enough because most of my warmth comes from my movement.

My resting clothes include cozy clothes to sleep in but also layers like a puffy jacket that I’ll keep accessible so I can quickly put it on during longer breaks.

Wanna learn more about how to pack the perfect gear while backpacking? Join a trip this summer and I’ll teach you!

When I first started backpacking I had no idea what I was doing. I wore the wrong clothes, carried too much stuff, got t...
02/27/2024

When I first started backpacking I had no idea what I was doing. I wore the wrong clothes, carried too much stuff, got too many blisters.

But after thousands of miles and hundreds of nights spent backpacking, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks.

Want to learn about Sierra geology? How to p**p in the woods? Or try out an ultralight approach to backpacking?

Then follow in John’s footsteps and sign up for a trip this summer! Each trip includes comprehensive instruction and good times exploring the best of wild California.

Join a three-day, two-night sampler of Yosemite National Park’s interdependent ecosystems. This accessible trip is a gre...
02/22/2024

Join a three-day, two-night sampler of Yosemite National Park’s interdependent ecosystems. This accessible trip is a great introduction to backpacking and the High Sierra backcountry.

* Explore a section of the legendary John Muir Trail
* Soak in breathtaking vistas of famous Yosemite peaks
* Discover a diversity of High Sierra habitats and wildlife
* Learn essential backpacking skills in a supportive environment

Yosemite National Park is world-famous for its towering granite peaks, lush valleys, and ancient forests. But few visitors hike far enough into the wilderness to feel truly immersed in it. This backpacking trip is one of the most accessible ways to experience the wonders of Yosemite off the beaten path.

Our route links together examples of the major ecosystems that define the High Sierra and Yosemite National Park. We’ll have leisurely hikes through lush meadows, challenging climbs through montane forests, and enjoy breathtaking views atop wide-open alpine plateaus. While we connect with the ecology, we’ll also discuss the human history of this special place and the conservation efforts that have maintained it for our enjoyment.

Two trips scheduled for 2024:
* Friday, August 23, 2024 – Sunday, August 25, 2024
* Friday, September 20, 2024 – Sunday, September 22, 2024

We offer guided trips for backpackers of all skill levels! Come hone your skills, try some ultralight gear, and explore ...
02/16/2024

We offer guided trips for backpackers of all skill levels! Come hone your skills, try some ultralight gear, and explore the Sierra Nevada mountains.

A five-day, four-night expedition deep into remote off-trail sections of the rugged Sierra Nevada. Emigrant Wilderness o...
02/13/2024

A five-day, four-night expedition deep into remote off-trail sections of the rugged Sierra Nevada. Emigrant Wilderness offers some of the Sierra’s most immersive backpacking adventures.

* Adventure off-trail to remote and secret campsites
* Traverse a granite “superhighway” speckled with ancient Sierra Juniper trees
* Admire alpine meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers
* Level-up your off-trail backpacking skills in a supportive environment

The Emigrant Wilderness is an insider’s secret compared to its famous neighbor, Yosemite National Park. Spanning over 100,000 acres in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, Emigrant Wilderness is a granite wonderland known for abundant lakes and solitude. Like Yosemite, the glacier-carved landscape is geologically young, making it perfect for off-trail exploration. We’ll be walking the same land the native Paiute and Miwok peoples have explored for thousands of years.

This is a special route and a personal favorite of your guide. The trip showcases the full spectrum of an ecosystem shaped by geology and hydrology that support a rich tapestry of plants and animals. Off-trail exploration of granite-carved canyons and alpine lakes makes this trip uniquely rewarding.

Three trips scheduled for 2024:
* Thursday, July 18, 2024 – Monday, July 22, 2024
* Thursday, August 1, 2024 – Monday, August 5, 2024

Learn more and reserve this trip at the link in our bio.

A three-day, two-night showcase of wild but accessible coastal habitats. Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect lo...
02/07/2024

A three-day, two-night showcase of wild but accessible coastal habitats. Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect location to develop your backpacking skills.

* Marvel at Alamere Falls as it empties into the Pacific Ocean
* Discover a diversity of coastal habitats and wildlife
* Learn essential backpacking skills in a supportive environment
* Enjoy front-country comforts like campsite tables and toilets

Point Reyes National Seashore is one of only two places in California with protected wilderness areas that connect the bluffs to the sandy beaches. Thanks to over 50 years of wilderness protection, we’re able to imagine what this land felt like during thousands of years of inhabitation by the Coast Miwok people prior to Mexican and European settlement.

Our route will take us to the most remote campground in Point Reyes, and the closest one to the beach itself. We’ll fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves and awaken to cool ocean air. We’ll climb through mixed evergreen forests, descend coastal scrub habitats, and soak in views of the Pacific Ocean. We’re also likely to encounter a rich diversity of wildlife, from graceful seabirds to tule elk roaming the coastal prairie.

Three trips scheduled for 2024:
* Saturday, May 25, 2024 – Monday, May 27, 2024
* Friday, June 21, 2024 – Sunday, June 23, 2024
* Friday, October 4, 2024 – Sunday, October 6, 2024

Learn more and join an upcoming trip at the link in our bio.

Praise for our five-day, four-night Secret Sierra Canyons of the Emigrant Wilderness trip. Retrace Eric’s footsteps by j...
02/06/2024

Praise for our five-day, four-night Secret Sierra Canyons of the Emigrant Wilderness trip.

Retrace Eric’s footsteps by joining a trip in 2024! Follow the link in the bio to learn more.

Hey, I’m Alex, and I’m the backpacker, nature enthusiast, and lead guide behind Wilder Walks.I live in San Francisco wit...
02/06/2024

Hey, I’m Alex, and I’m the backpacker, nature enthusiast, and lead guide behind Wilder Walks.

I live in San Francisco with my wife and backpacking buddy, Laura.

I’ve backpacked thousands of miles and camped hundreds of nights in ecosystems all around the world. And I lead nature-focused backpacking trips throughout California.

I love backpacking because of the way it engages my senses and focuses my attention. The butterscotch scent of a Jeffrey Pine tree. A lunch break on warm sun-baked granite. The ethereal song of a Hermit Thrush echoing through a forest.

As I hike, the physical and mental barriers between myself and the world around me dissolve. Every aspect of backpacking seems to simplify life to the essentials. Hike, eat, sleep — and experience nature’s nuances at walking speed.

Backpacking has lots of other qualities I love, too. It’s an adventurous way to make memories with friends and family. It tests (and rewards!) my physical and mental fortitude. Not to mention all the little things to nerd out on, from geology to navigation to gear.

But backpacking can be intimidating to get into!

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. If you come backpacking with me, I’ll give you the tools, teach you the skills, and show you how it can be as simple as taking a walk.

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