Forever She Wanders

03/02/2025

Just a mountain gal, living by the sea. 🌴🌅

Started the year off strong…focused…inspired, until I got really sick for about a week. It took sometime to feel like myself again, but getting out for a local hike, surely helped. 🥾

With nearby trail closures, we opted to explore new areas in the Los Padres National Forest, and stumbled on this beautiful waterfall! 💦

Hoping to see a lot more sunsets this month, and maybe a few more waterfalls! 🤭 It’s been dry here in SoCal, but looks like we’re getting some much needed rain this week! ☔️

Tell me something you’re looking forward to this month! 👀

07/11/2024

Just when I thought the season was over…
these memories popped up from the archives. 👀

Would you try winter backpacking? ❄️

It’s November21’ reached out with a last minute invite to backpack one of our favorite trails in the Eastern Sierra. While the trail was pretty much snow free, we enjoyed some winter views at the lake before temps dropped to below freezing. 🥶

Personally, I’m not too comfortable backpacking solo in snowy conditions, so I was grateful for the invite and great company.

A few things to keep in mind when the seasons change:
⏳ shorter days = limited time, start early.
☀️ sun protection is still essential in snowy conditions
💦 don’t forget to hydrate
🥰 carry extra clothes/layers/socks (try best to stay dry)
👀 always have a backup plan
🌦️ check the weather
✋ know your limits and when to turn around

Winter backpacking is a challenging but rewarding experience. Be prepared to change plans, if necessary.

16/10/2024

At the very least, please don’t forget that last one.✌🏼

17/09/2024

Two favorite hikes on Channel Islands! 🏝️

📍Potato Harbor: 5.2 miles, round trip
👉🏼 If camping on the island, my favorite time to do this hike is around sunset! Be prepared and pack a headlamp for the hike back.

📍Smugglers Cove: 7.7 miles, round trip
👉🏼 Recommended to start early! The trail is hot, exposed, and there is no available water.

Have you been to Channel Islands?

Please remember to Leave No Trace and pack out everything you brought with you.

10/09/2024

Tell me something that made you smile recently ☺️

Here are some of mine:

🌅 Sunset hiking on Channel Islands
🏕️ Island camping
💦 Mid-week local hikes
🧦 Loving these new socks from
🙌🏼 Back in Lone Peaks where my feet belong
🌮 Homemade Crunchwraps
🐶 That faceeeeee
🥰 Sisters altogether
⛳️ Mini golf with the fam
❤️ Mom and sisters
🤣 Cheese PLS!
💐 Sisters wedding
🐈‍⬛🐶🫶🏼

27/08/2024

Three Preset Messages ⬇️

1️⃣ “Made it to camp! Have a goodnight! :)”
👉🏼 Sent to: immediate family, +1-2 knowledge friends
📍MapShare ON (optional)

This is a simple staple preset message for not only backpacking, but road trips, and camping when I’m out of service, and want to check-in with others.

2️⃣ “My Garmin & backup power is going to die soon. I’m okay & will check-in when I recharge everything!”
👉🏼 Sent to: immediate family, +1-2 knowledge friends
📍MapShare ON (optional)

This is a great preset message to save for long distance trips. Oftentimes you might run out of portable power and unable to recharge until the next town or exit.

3️⃣ “Everything is okay, but I am getting off trail. I will call you when I have service”
👉🏼 Sent to: immediate family, + 1-2 knowledge friends
📍 MapShare ON (optional)

This preset message informs recipients of an early or unplanned exit- not to be used for emergency situations.

I enjoy preset messages because they’re unlimited (with an active subscription) and allow me to quickly check-in with family and friends.

Preset Messages are not to be used for emergency situations.

Let me know if you found these helpful and stay tuned for 11 of my favorite Quick Messages for the Garmin InReach ☺️

13/08/2024

The truth is...I’ve been living in denial...

It’s not often that I share any plans before a trip, and that’s mostly to avoid this kind of post...🙈

Dare I say, jinxing myself by telling the universe of my plans?

The truth is... we didn’t even make it 1 mile into our week-long journey on the JMT before I twisted my ankle- again. 😣

2 months later.
Same trail.
Same ankle.
Out there on an invite.

I’d successfully backpack for my birthday 1 month prior, so there was no telling this would happen again.

Recovery, to me, was just resting.
I’m realizing now, it’s so much more than that. ❤️‍🩹

I’ll be brushing up on wilderness first aid and physical therapy while in recovery- but if anyone has any tips for a bummed ankle, please send them my way! 🫶🏼

08/08/2024

Thru hiking is hard.
But I promise you, it’s worth it.

It’s been one year since I started - my does time fly! These are just a few of the challenges I personally faced when thru hiking the CT.

Solo backpacking in a new state and unfamiliar area. Starting off solo in a new place was hard. Thank goodness for the CT data book! I love data, and it was fun to read up on the days ahead to get familiar with the trail.

Self-doubts with the bear canister. The fact that I had an option to carry a bear canister weighed me down. Knowing I could easily ditch it for something lighter, weighed me down. After I ditched it, I had regrets.

Imposter syndrome. More days than not. Like really- who do I think I am? Sometimes, I have to remind myself.

First time hitchhiking! This was one of the biggest challenges I faced before even arriving to Colorado. I knew hitches were necessary for resupplies and town days, and grateful I didn’t have to hitch alone. Still haven’t really overcome this challenge though..

Town days and hotel stays. The fast pace living, driving and crowds can oftentimes become quite overwhelming. Town days for maybe 2 days max- then ya girl needs back on trail!

Fully committing to a long distance thru hike. If you were around then, you may remember I was completely doubting myself on the first mile, so yeah- 500 miles seemed nearly impossible.

First time hiking with a group! It was scary at first, but this solo hiker at heart found true meaning in sharing these experiences with others!

Pushing my limits. Sometimes you just never know until you have no choice. Keep going? Give up? I wanted to quit so many times but then I remembered- a bad day on trail is WAY better than a bad day at home.

Everyday an uphill struggle.
Everyday worth it. 🫶🏼

If thru hiking is on your list- chase it like your ass is on fire.

28/07/2024

Yosemite archives ✨

From Glacier Point to Crocker Point this is my Pohono Trail photo dump! 📸

1. Sunset views at Crocker Point 🌅
2. Campsite views at sunset 🏕️
3. Rest break at Dewey Point 🙌🏼
4. Half Dome views & flowers from Sentinel Dome 🌼
5. Sunrise rays at Crocker Point 🥰
6. Bridalveil Falls from Crocker Point 💦
7. Epic views from Taft Point 😍
8. Dinner time 🍜
9. Sunset at Crocker Point 🔥
10. Happy hiker 😋

Is the Pohono Trail in Yosemite National Park on your list?

22/07/2024

New profile pic! 👋🏼

It was time for something a little more ME. 💁🏻‍♀️
Happiest with a pack on my back! 🥰

BUT, here are some things you probably didn’t know…

1. I’m not a fan of seafood, but I’ll eat tuna from a packet. 😋
2. Every morning, I free write in my journal. ✍🏼
3. It’s hard for me to admit, but (sometimes) solo trips get a little lonely. 🫢
4. I’ll attempt to turn any of your plans into an overnight backpacking trip because I believe spending a night outside is totally worth it. 🏕️
5. Sometimes, I think I know- but I really have no fckn clue. 🤭
6. I often feel I’ve failed as a content creator due to burnout and the lack of motivation. 🥺
7. Would love to plan a group trip, but would anyone be interested? 👀
8. Haven’t won the lottery (nor played much) so I might need to get a job soon. 😂 but if anyone is interested in🦶🏼pics- let’s talk. 😆
9. “Fake it till you make it” but ya girls gettin tired. 🙈
10. Sock, sock, shoe, shoe. 👏🏼

Missing CO and these views!! 🏔️ (September 23’)
Tell me something random about you! 👀👋🏼

13/07/2024

Mid-month photo dump // July highlights ♋️✨

No major complaints, it’s been a great month so far.

1. all smiles for a day hike post recovery ❤️‍🩹
2. backcountry camp hiding from the sun 🏕️
3. cowboy camping >>
4. afternoon beach time 🌅
5. birthday backpacking 🥰
6. stubbed my toe, that hurt 😖
7. exactly where I needed to be 🦋
8. loving the little sun glare ✨
9. keep ‘em wild 🌸
10. 🫠🫠🫠

Hope you’re having a great weekend!

07/07/2024

Backcountry birthday tradition. ✨🏕️💦

Chapter 37- No idea what this year will bring but I’ve been great at figuring it out along the way.

Spent a night in the backcountry for the new moon on my birthday- and with only a few mishaps, it was everything I could have asked for. 🎉

Thank you for the birthday wishes! 🫶🏼

Do you have a favorite birthday tradition?

26/06/2024

The mind starts to wander when the feet want to roam. ✨

I thought this recovery downtime would allow me to organize and edit content but turns out it’s just digging deeper into the eagerness of getting back out there. 🥲

Soon enough.
Summer has just begun.

Happy waterfall Wednesday!

Do you have any waterfall adventures on your list this summer?

12/06/2024

Another one from Yosemite!

Have you been?

"I'm so glad you mentioned Crocker Point, most people skip that one," said the ranger issuing my wilderness permit. She was right, days after Memorial Day and I enjoyed Crocker Point to myself. The Pohono Trail: Glacier Point to Dewey Point was the trail I chose for my second backpacking trip that w...

10/06/2024

Postcards from Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park ✨

Cannot wait to share with you the 3-day adventure I spent hiking the Hetch Hetchy Loop for the backpacking challenge last month!

1. early morning reflections at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir ✨
2. heading up with the sun ☀️
3. harlequin lupine 😍
4. all smiles after snack break 😋
5. basic breakfast: coffee & waffle 🧇
6. hello, from the other side 🙌🏼
7. lakeside chilling 🧡
8. Rancheria Falls 💦
9. Wampama Falls & flowers 🌼
10. 😜💦🙌🏼

Have you been to this side of Yosemite?!

09/06/2024

I completed the Hetch Hetchy Loop which covers nearly 30-miles, offering stunning views of mountain lakes, waterfalls, the reservoir, and lots and lots of mud.😝

Have you been to this side of Yosemite?

I completed the Hetch Hetchy Loop which covers nearly 30-miles, offering stunning views of mountain lakes, waterfalls, the reservoir, and lots and lots of mud.

21/05/2024

Day dreaming of adventures in Yosemite National Park 🏞️ ✨

Looking forward to spending some backcountry trail time exploring new parts of the park I haven’t been to yet!

Here are a few favorites from the Yosemite archives:

1. April showers in Yosemite Valley 🌧️ (2022)
2. Favorite view heading to Upper Yosemite Falls 😍 (March 2024)
3. Cathedral Lakes at sunset 🏔️ (August 2022)
4. Exploring on a gloomy day ⛅️ (April 2022)
5. First time staying in Camp Curry ✨ (March 2024)
6. On the JMT 🎒 (August 2022)
7. Gloomy day in the valley ⛅️ (April 2022)
8. Camp Curry yurt ⛺️ (March 2024)

Do you have a favorite memory in Yosemite National Park? I would love to hear about it!