There are so many beautiful areas to explore — many in my own backyard. I feel so lucky to have a handful of open spaces to play in whether it be running or hiking. This picture was taken on a trail-less-traveled (by me) in my favorite open space. The trail offers a steep but rolling ascent, vast views of the valley below to the right, and pretty little wild flowers to the left. It’s wide dirt path proves to be a perfect place for a nice long hike.

So perfect, I returned a couple of days later for a repeat workout. Could it be that my old trail-less-traveled may be transforming into a trail-frequently-hiked? We’ll see.

I’ve less than 2 weeks ’till my escape into the backcountry. We’re heading out on the Rae Lakes Loop in King’s Canyon. If you’ve backpacked out there, please share a bit about your experience. I’d love to hear all about it.