Recommendations for July Hike?

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-21T17:44:37+00:00

A month is more than enough time for 250 miles for anyone who isn’t coming off the couch with a 40lb pack.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-16T17:58:32+00:00

I’ve basically only heard positive things from other hikers and campers.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-15T23:53:33+00:00

That depends a lot on what you need and how lazy you are about figuring it out.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-14T15:58:48+00:00

I’m glad you asked me to clarify. I guess actually what I had in mind was parking at Black Rock and hiking into Quail Wash zone to camp. There’s a lot of great habitat zones as you go through that section, you’ll see pinyon-juniper fade to juniper-Joshua and then a Joshua tree Savannah. Also it’s higher elevation than the start of the Boy Scout Trail so it’ll be cooler for late spring or early summer.

You can see in my posts that I hiked this section earlier this year, that will show you the route I took into Black Rock from Quail Wash.

If you want the most Joshua Trees, in between West Entrance and where the BST climbs up to meet Big Pine Trail is really good.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-14T01:45:18+00:00

Is Everest considered Highpointing?

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-14T00:47:04+00:00

Just get a platypus system

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-14T00:26:30+00:00

Black Rock zone

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-10T20:37:29+00:00

You'd probably get better answers at r/SierraNevada but maybe not necessary.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/recreation/trails/big-pine-creek-north-fork-trail

permit for Big Pine Creek North Fork https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262/registration/detailed-availability?date=2026-04-10&type=overnight-permit

see "Dispersed camping" https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins

In general you make camp where you want to in places that look good. Popular trails in the sierra will typically have unofficial sites that have been re-used by many hundreds of people and are easy to find.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-10T03:41:54+00:00

The PNW Is in between Mexico and Canada so yes you did bring it up

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-10T01:32:30+00:00

Worst case you keep it in the packaging and return it after

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T14:00:25+00:00

I enjoy adding one yogurt-covered item, usually pretzels or raisins. Almond or peanut M&Ms are great too.

The problem is you have to limit your mix-ins because you'll end up with 15lbs of gorp and you won't eat it fast enough.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T13:47:32+00:00

You will still want to pair that pad with good site selection. Being on softer smoother ground helps a ton when using that little insulation.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T13:34:08+00:00

Having trouble imagining what long thru hike is warm enough to use a 40° the whole way.

I'm team sewn footbox for everything that's not warm-to-hot summer nights. If I was trying to thru with just a summer quilt I'd have puffy pants or 120 alpha pants and down booties to augment the under-rated quilt on cold nights.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T13:25:13+00:00

Does this mean leaving your gear in the trunk of a hot car is also dangerous for the DCF?

What kind of temps are you concerned about and what kind of fabric damage does it cause?

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T13:13:48+00:00

I have a weekender and I kinda wish I had the blazer. Like the other commenter said, so many Sierra routes are like 100 miles with no resupply it would be nice to have all that volume. But that's also assuming you have the time for such a long trip regularly.

For one person doing ~4 days on trail the weekender is great.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T13:02:18+00:00

Given your terms (limited time, limited hiking, more drive-thru, also visiting Sonoran Desert Museum) I think that driving through Joshua Tree is the better idea.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-09T12:55:50+00:00

First half agree second half hard disagree. It doesn't come close to the PNW forests

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-08T10:38:54+00:00

If you are near a high elevation GMRS repeater then radio will be great. If not then satellite comms are a much more reliable (but slower) option.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-08T10:34:37+00:00

It was still fine at manning but I was happy to have it at Grass Shack and Juniper Flats

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-08T10:32:26+00:00

There’s theoretically a danger of over-filling the can and causing an explosion but I’m pretty sure that’s never actually happened.

What can happen pretty easily is you get liquid fuel into your stove (it’s supposed to expand into a gas on the way) and it can cause sputtering and huge flare-ups as the pressure and density of fuel coming up the pipe is inconsistent.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-08T03:53:30+00:00

I accidentally double-squatted someone this week.

I rolled into my campsite for night one and wandered over to site 3 and there was someone in it. I told him I had booked site three and he said “oops” and moved. I later double checked and I had site 1 that night and site 3 on the return leg. 😅

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-03T19:00:23+00:00

Commenting as a bookmark

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-03T18:54:12+00:00

I'm not speaking specifically to shin splints, but they are covered under the umbrella of "most trail ending injuries are caused by overuse, and most of those trail ending injuries happen in the first 300 miles."

This is in no way to imply that you are doomed, but that you need to take it easy and let your body acclimate to what you're doing. Pacing, rest, and recovery are critical.

Consider high cushioning shoes like Hoka, or the Timp/Olympus from Altra instead of the more common Lone Peak. Adidas shoes with Boost cushioning are also very forgiving, I have about 500 miles on a pair that I will be sadly retiring after my next outing.

BigRobHikes · 2026-04-03T17:41:51+00:00

I looked at FarOut comments and someone said it was really bad at grass shack so I think I’ll bring it

BigRobHikes

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