Margarita Peak Hike/Bushwhack, California
Margarita Peak is a far flung, wilderness summit in the Santa Ana Mountains of San Diego and Orange Counties. Here are my directions for this hike/bushwhack
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Adventure is out there!
This is a blog for people of all levels and experience and is not limited to any state, province or sport.
I’M QUINCY KOETZ
An outdoorsman and Nurse Practitioner living in Northern California. When I first started this blog, I was an EMT living in Southern California and this blog has followed...
Read MoreCategory: Orange County
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Climbing Saddleback Mountain, the Highest Mountain in Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains
Written on July 15, 2011
A Guide to Hiking Orange County’s Highest Peak, Saddleback Mountain I’m always amused with the surprise of out-of-towners and locals who never knew that a mile high mountain exists in Orange County. Indeed, the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County are a rugged and wild range which destroy the stereotype that the O.C. is...
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Mountain Biking Orange County
Written on January 13, 2011
Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein A Mountain Biking Mecca! Orange County is for Mountain Bikers You know what’s the funniest thing about the sport of mountain biking? Its a dirty, bloody, grungy sport populated by climber bums and middle aged...
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Hiking and Wildlife Viewing in Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County
Written on January 11, 2011
The wild, scenic, and distinctively Mediterranean escape from civilization in Orange County. Wild, scenic, and close Anything But Posh… Orange County may not be known for its hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor adventures but the free-spirited outdoorsman/woman knows much better. I’ve been exploring Orange ...
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2024 (11)
- August 17 - A Salute to Bair Island Hiking and Birding
- February 3 - The Straight Dope on Hiking Mauna Kea in the Winter
- January 22 - The Thunderbird El Paso: Directions and Hike
- January 1 - Twin Peaks and Waterman Mountain Combo Hike
2023 (20)
- December 2 - Abajo Peak Hike/Bushwhack, Utah
- November 19 - Quandary Peak in October: Trip Report and Field Notes
- March 12 - Hualapai Peak Winter Snowshoeing, Arizona
- March 11 - Mt Wilson Arizona Hike & Scramble
- January 2 - Britton Hill Hike – the Highpoint of Florida
2022 (7)
- December 18 - She Devil Scramble/Hike, Idaho
- November 21 - Steens Mountain Hike and Guide, Eastern Oregon
- October 6 - Sacajawea Peak Hike, Eastern Oregon
- March 12 - Mt Taylor, New Mexico Winter Hike
- February 11 - Manzano Peak Winter Hike, New Mexico
2021 (12)
- November 13 - Virginia Peak Hike, Nevada
- November 6 - Mt Davidson, Nevada Hike
- October 25 - Granite Mountain, Humboldt County High Point, Nevada
- May 25 - Bay Area Nifty Ninety Peaks
- April 15 - Black Point Hike, Mt Diablo State Park
- January 7 - Best Hikes near Roseville, California
2020 (42)
- November 14 - Pilot Peak, Nevada Hike/Climb
- November 8 - Ibapah Peak, Utah; Hike and Scramble
- October 19 - Tin Mine Canyon Hike near Corona, CA
- September 27 - Snow Mountain – East Hike, Lake and Colusa Counties, CA
- September 20 - Pyramid Peak, Lake Tahoe Hike/Climb
- September 19 - Corral Hollow Hill/Ridge Hike, Calaveras County High Point
- September 12 - Hawkins Peak Hike near Lake Tahoe
- September 6 - Round Top Hike/Climb near Lake Tahoe
- August 30 - Thunder Mountain Amador County High Point Hike
- August 16 - Hiking Mt Jefferson, Nevada
- August 14 - Mt Ingalls Hike/Drive, Plumas County Highpoint
- July 26 - Eagle Peak Hike near Alturas, California
- July 19 - Thompson Peak, Trinity Alps Hike/Climb
- June 19 - Mt Sizer Hike, Henry Coe State Park, CA
- May 22 - El Sombroso Hike, Santa Clara County
- March 17 - Red Mountain Hike near Flagstaff, Arizona
- February 17 - Mt Pinal and Signal Peak Winter Hike near Globe, Arizona
- February 11 - Mount Wrightson Winter Hike of Old Baldy Trail
- February 10 - Leasburg Slot Canyon Hike near Las Cruces, New Mexico
- February 5 - Organ Needle Hike/Climb, Las Crucas, New Mexico
- January 13 - Scarper Peak Hike near Half Moon Bay, CA
2019 (47)
- December 31 - Margarita Peak Hike/Bushwhack, California
- December 27 - 2019 Peakbagging in Review
- December 26 - Carpenter Hill; Highest Point in Sacramento County
- December 16 - Bald Knob Hike Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve, CA
- December 8 - Willson Peak Hike near Morgan Hill, CA
- December 6 - Otay Mountain Hike and Drive, San Diego, CA
- December 1 - Mt Vaca Hike, Highest Mountain of Solono County
- November 23 - Hot Springs Mountain, San Diego Hike
- November 21 - Tecate Peak Hike/Drive, San Diego, CA
- November 11 - Mt Dana Hike, Yosemite National Park
- October 22 - Middle Palisade Climb, October 2019
- October 5 - Mount Jurupa Hike, Fontana, California
- September 30 - Zanja Peak Hike, Crafton Hills, Yucaipa, CA
- September 30 - Chocolate Peak and Lakes, California, Hike/Bushwhack
- September 16 - White Mountain Peak Hike, California
- September 14 - Star Peak Hike, Nevada
- September 9 - Mt Sunflower, Highest Point in Kansas
- August 17 - Black Mesa, Hiking Oklahoma’s Highest Point
- July 29 - Leprechaun Canyon Hike, Utah
- June 3 - Hiking Mt Konocti, California
- May 24 - Hiking Cox Peak, New Mexico
- April 23 - Best Hikes near Stanford and Palo Alto
- April 21 - Visiting the Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico
- February 16 - Hiking Kanab Dinosaur Tracks, Southern Utah
- February 9 - Hiking Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah
2018 (34)
- November 26 - Hikes near San Carlos: Pulgas Ridge Open Space
- November 12 - Long Fall Weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea
- October 9 - Hiking Glass Mountain, California
- October 5 - Hiking Bodie and Potato Peaks, California
- September 29 - Hike/Scramble of Highland Peak, California
- September 12 - Bay Area Backyard: Hiking Portola Valley Trails
- August 19 - Lamoille Canyon Hike, Nevada
- August 11 - Backpacking Kings Peak, Utah State High Point
- August 4 - Climbing Crazy Peak, Montana
- July 12 - Sightseeing Shoshone Falls, Idaho
- July 3 - Hiking North Schell Peak, Nevada
- June 24 - Hiking Arc Dome, Nevada
- June 4 - Raleigh Trip: Craft Breweries
- April 23 - Winter Hike of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico
- March 25 - Birding at Bosque del Apache Reserve
- March 24 - Hiking Lookout Mountain, New Mexico
- February 25 - New Mexico Road Trip: Hiking and Visiting Cloudcroft
- February 24 - New Mexico Road Trip: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- February 10 - Hiking Mt Cristo Rey, Sunland Park, New Mexico
- January 16 - Bay Area Backyard Hikes: Hayward Shoreline Trails
2017 (26)
- December 11 - Hiking Long Ridge at Purisima Creek Redwoods Park
- September 25 - Hiking/Mountaineering Sonora Peak, Alpine County High Point
- August 23 - Hiking Boundary Peak, Highpoint of Nevada
- April 17 - c, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
2016 (25)
- December 14 - Cozy Winter Weekend in Galena
- September 12 - Hiking Turkey Run State Park, Indiana
- September 6 - Hiking Cataract Falls State Park, Indiana
- September 5 - Hiking Clifty Falls State Park, Madison, Indiana
- September 4 - Hiking Hoosier Hill, High Point of Indiana
- August 14 - Hiking Winston Tunnel, Galena Illinois
- July 17 - Hiking Natural Bridge, Wisconsin
- July 13 - Hiking Charles Mound, Illinois Highpoint
- July 8 - Hiking Mt Chiricahua, Arizona
- July 6 - Hiking Miller Peak, Arizona
- June 8 - Hiking Faye Canyon, Sedona, Arizona
- February 27 - Hiking Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas
- January 2 - Gear Review: Asolo Fugitive GTX Hiking Boots
- January 1 - Florida Finish! Finally Visited All 50 States
2015 (21)
- December 31 - Unexpected Delights of Millennial Life in Chicago
- December 26 - Hiking Glacial Park, McHenry County, Illinois
- November 15 - Best Sunrise in Utah; Mt Nebo Hike via North Peak Trail
- October 25 - Hiking Mt Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail, Utah
- September 27 - Hiking Deseret Peak and Wilderness, Utah
- September 26 - Stand-up Paddleboarding the Galena River, Illinios
- July 12 - Kayaking Downtown on the Chicago River
- January 2 - The Pursuit of Life, 2014 Wrap-up
2014 (81)
- November 17 - Best of the East Coast according to a Californian
- October 17 - Hiking Mt Magazine, Arkansas State Highpoint
- September 30 - Mountain Biking Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama
- September 29 - Hiking and Sightseeing at Little River Canyon, Alabama
- September 29 - Hiking Ebright Azimuth, Delaware State High Point
- September 27 - Hiking Brasstown Bald, Georgia State Highpoint
- September 25 - Kayaking and Hiking Congaree National Park, South Carolina
- September 24 - Hiking Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina State High Point
- September 23 - Mountain Dupont State Forest and Brevard, North Carolina
- September 18 - Hiking High Knob, Virginia
- September 17 - Hiking Mt LeConte via Alum Cave Trail, Tennessee
- September 16 - Hiking Black Mountain, Kentucky: State Highpoint
- September 10 - Hiking Mt Davis, Pennsylvania, State Highpoint
- September 7 - Hiking Slide Mountain via Burroughs Trail, New York
- September 7 - Hiking High Point, New Jersey (State Highpoint)
- September 4 - Hiking Mt Marcy, High Peaks Region, Adirondacks
- August 28 - Best Hikes and Mountains in New England
- August 20 - Quebec Hike: Mt Gosford
- February 27 - Winter Hike of Cannon Mountain and Northeast Cannonball
2013 (52)
- December 30 - Winter Hike of North Moat Mountain, New Hampshire
- December 23 - Hiking Mt Cardigan, New Hampshire
- December 2 - Winter Weekend in the Wisconsin Dells
- November 4 - Maine’s Best Drive: “The Airline”, State Road 9
- October 29 - Hiking the Cutler Coast: Best Coast Hike in Maine
- September 3 - Solitude and Muscongus Bay on the Maine Island Trail
- August 28 - Prelude to the Maine Island Trail
- July 13 - Hiking Great Falls, New Brunswick
- June 11 - Urban Kayaking in Chicago, Illinois
- June 10 - Best 10 Mountain Hikes in Vermont
- January 19 - Winter Hike of Mt Hale; New Hampshire 4,000-Footers
- January 2 - Hiking Mt Chocorua, New Hampshire in the Winter
2012 (41)
- December 22 - Whiskeytown Falls, California
- November 21 - Hiking Big Moose Mountain, Maine
- November 20 - Hiking Moxie Falls, Maine
- November 19 - Kayaking Moosehead Lake and Maine Public Reserve Land
- October 29 - Hiking the Salton Sea: Strangest Place I’ve Been
- September 28 - Hiking Ripley and Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire
- September 21 - The Pursuit of Life: 2 Years of Blogging!
- September 8 - Hiking Pinnacles National Monument, California
- July 27 - Backpacking the Pemi Loop, New Hampshire
- May 22 - Absence of Light Photography
- March 15 - Ice Climbing Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire
- February 22 - Short Winter Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
- February 22 - How to Buy Mountaineering Boots
- January 19 - New Stuff!
- January 12 - Hiking Bryce Canyon in the Winter: Navajo Loop
2011 (83)
- December 27 - Winter Climbing on Wheeler Peak, Nevada
- December 23 - Most Underrated Adventure Travel Destinations in America
- December 10 - Most Overrated Adventure Travel Destinations in America
- November 7 - The Pursuit of Life: Winter Blog News
- October 23 - 50 Greatest Adventures in America : Part VI
- October 19 - The Northeast Kingdom: A Vermont Vacation
- October 6 - Best Outdoor Adventures in America: Part V
- September 25 - Best Outdoor Adventures in America: Part IV
- September 24 - Best Outdoor Adventures in America: Part III
- September 22 - Top Outdoor Adventures in America: Part II
- September 21 - Best Outdoor Adventures in America: Part I
- September 7 - Best Outdoor Adventures in Bend, Oregon Part I
- September 1 - Mt Shasta: Avalanche Gulch Fall Trip Report
- August 28 - Mt Hood Trip Report, Hogsback Route
- August 16 - Capitol Reef National Park: Hiking the Narrows
- August 13 - Gear Review: Aurora Bivy by Outdoor Research
- June 13 - Keeping a 10 Year Journal
- April 25 - Taking a Break in Denver, Colorado
- April 21 - Hiking Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- April 21 - Hiking Monument Valley, Arizona
- April 18 - Climbing Humphreys Peak, Flagstaff Arizona
- April 18 - California to Maine; 5,000 Mile Road Trip
- February 23 - Winter Ascent of Mt Baldy via Maker Creek Route
- February 21 - Hiking the Slot Canyon of Anza Borrego State Park
- February 18 - Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Calfornia
- February 17 - Cape Alava, Washington, America’s Last Sunset
- February 13 - West Quoddy Head, Maine: America’s First Sunrise
- January 26 - Exploring the Lava Beds of Northern California
- January 20 - Remembering Nevada’s Mighty Shoe Tree
- January 19 - Crater Lake National Park in the Winter
- January 13 - Mountain Biking Orange County
2010 (24)
- December 25 - Point Reyes: The Cape Cod of California
- December 20 - Rubio Canyon Canyoneering, Los Angeles
- December 12 - Mt Katahdin and the Heart of Maine’s Wilderness
- November 28 - The Loneliest Highway in America: Highway 50
- November 23 - The Grand Canyon Grand Backpacking Trip
- November 11 - “127 Hours” and other Strangely Ironic Tales of Success
- November 3 - Geologic Wonder of the World: John Day Fossil Beds
- October 21 - Mountain Biking Mecca: Downieville, California
- October 15 - Mountain Biking the Famous Flume Trail
- September 29 - #1 Adventure of California… and nobody knows about it
- September 28 - #2 Mt Whitney: Top 10 California Adventures
- September 27 - #3 Catalina Island: Top 10 California Adventures
- September 27 - #4 Mt Shasta: Top 10 California Adventures
- September 26 - #5 Mojave National Preserve: Top 10 California Adventures
- September 25 - #7 Lake Tahoe – Top 10 California Adventures
- September 24 - #8 Redwood National Park: Top 10 California Adventures
- September 24 - #9 San Francisco- Top 10 California Adventures
