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W-EMT at Whiskeytown, soccer coach, and adventurer - making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. Check out my blog at: theruggedtrail.wordpress.com. If you need a guide, email at: johnachau@gmail.com!
Activity 6 Saves 0 Stories 28 Adventures 244 Photos 19 Reviews
Although this adventure usually takes place in Gaansbai (due to the higher percentage of Great Whites in the water there), you typically will be picked up in Cape Town at a hotel or hostel by the tour operator (usually very, very early in the morning). Unfortunately, it's pretty rare to just show up in Gaansbai and jump on a shark diving boat. Instead, you'll need to book with a legit tour oper...
Hike to the top of Chapman's Peak
Starting from the trailhead on Chapman's Peak Drive (one of the most scenic drives in the world), simply follow the trail up as it gradually climbs up east toward a 4-junction. Take that first right at the junction and follow it as it heads south and then turns southwest. Stay on the trail as it climbs up to the summit of Chapman's Peak. There is a small scramble at the last 100 feet, but nothi...
The northernmost part of Noordhoek Beach that touches the jagged rocks of Chapman's Peak is the more scenic place to start exploring (see map location for directions to the north parking lot). Otherwise, one can park down at one of the beach-access culd-de-sacs in Kommetjie and walk from south-to-north along the beach.If you did in fact park in northern parking lot shadowed by Chapman's Peak, s...
After parking in the dirt parking lot, you can simply walk over to the lighthouse (if it's open) and talk to the kind staff there who might let you in for a peek (or a small fee).Otherwise, you can be content with walking around it and taking some photos as you head down the boardwalk trail nearby.This trail heads all the way back around to Kommetjie and offers stunning views of the ocean. Keep...
Backpack along Hurricane Creek
After arriving at the trailhead near the Shores Lake Campground (there is a $3 parking fee, so bring cash), head along the path and go west at the T-junction. Continue going west/northwest and you’ll cross over a forest road. Stay on the trail as it gradually descends, then veer off-trail to the left (toward Hurricane Creek). Hike (bushwack) alongside Hurricane Creek until you can come to a par...
Winter Summit Black Butte
5 mi / 2000 ft gain
Note: February through early March are great times to climb it for a winter ascent without snowshoes. If there is no snow seen from the south (e.g. on I-5 heading north to Mount Shasta City), don't be too worried. As long as there is snow on the surrounding peaks (e.g. Trinity Alps) around the same elevation (4,000+ feet), there should still be snow on the northern slopes of Black Butte.Most of th...
Visit the Cape Point Lighthouse
Cape Town, South Africa
This adventure starts at the Cape Point parking lot, from where one can also begin other adventures. After parking and locking your doors to prevent thieving baboons from breaking in, head up the path parallel to the funicular and follow its gradual slope up towards the various lookouts until you arrive at the old Cape Point Lighthouse.It's a fairly easy and straightforward path, and if confuse...
Watch the Sunset at Signal Hill
Cape Town, South Africa
This is a much easier and less adventurous sunset trip than hiking up Lions Head to watch the sunset, so it's better suited for families with small children or folks who aren't too keen on wild adventures.Find out what time sunset is and then head out to Signal Hill a bit beforehand.Follow Signal Hill Road up to the parking lot and park if you can find room (otherwise just park on the narrow s...
Table Mountain, Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
1.9 mi / 2300 ft gain
After parking at the lot near the Platteklip Gorge trailhead, start hiking south up the path. It soon will become extremely steep with large slabs of rock acting as some sort of giant stairs that us peons must crawl over until we eventually reach the summit. If you have long legs and are taller than average, you might find this hike to be a breeze, but it can be quite a strenuous hike for those...
Kayak the Illinois River
From Tulsa, head out east along US-412 until you reach US-82. Take Exit 6 and go right (south) along US-82 until you reach E Steely Hollow Rd. Turn left and follow E Steely Hollow Rd. until you reach the T-intersection with OK-10. Pull into a parking space at the Illinois River Store and buy a mandatory river permit for $1 per boat (canoe, raft, or kayak). The river permit goes on your wrist, a...
Hike to Diaz Beach
Cape Town, South Africa
0.5 mi / -450 ft gain
After parking at the Cape Point parking lot, simply take the small unpaved path that leads south towards the ocean. Head down the gravel steps and follow it as it bears west (right) along a wooden boardwalk. Stay on the boardwalk until it ends at several rocky slabs. Cross the slabs and you should easily find the trail again as it continues. Stay on it a few hundred feet until you reach a set o...
3.5 mi / 1100 ft gain
Head to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to park at the campground and hike the extra 1.1 miles to the trailhead.From the trailhead, you'll cross ...
Backpack Along Whitaker Creek
After arriving at the Whitaker Point/Hawksbill Crag trailhead, start going down the path for about 1/8th of a mile. You’ll cross a small stream, and here is where you’ll turn off the trail. Using Whitaker Creek as your guide, follow it like a handrail as it descends down into the confluence with the Buffalo River.After you have gone about a ½ of a mile, you’ll reach a large drop off where the L...
From Tulsa, head out east along US-412 until you reach HWY 103. Take a right (south) on HWY 103 and follow it toward Compton, Arkansas. Shortly before reaching Compton, take the dirt road on the right (before the road starts to head north), and follow the road south. Keep on it as it bends to the east, and follow it until you reach the Hideout Hollow Trailhead.From the trailhead, it’s a short 1...
Underground Urbexing in Tulsa
Park at the Blue Rose restaurant’s parking lot on Riverside Drive and head south along the trail until you reach the 23rd Street Bridge. Head down toward the river and you'll soon see the large entryway into the tunnel. Large amounts of graffiti will be present, and depending on the water level, the tunnel should have a decent enough walkway along the left.Follow the walkway (which consists of...
North Lake via Wyeth Trail
12.36 mi / 4505 ft gain
Park at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on and you will encounter four switchbacks before the trail begins to steeply climb. An old ancient wate...
Hike to Hideout Hollow
After parking at the trailhead, head down the well-trodden path and follow it the 0.85 miles downhill to the overlook. Once you are at the overlook, go left and follow the path as it loops around the top of the overhang. You’ll arrive at a small creek (which creates the waterfall that flows into the hollow).If you hike a few yards upstream, you’ll encounter a small oasis complete with a mini-wa...
Hike to Upper Palisades Lake
6.6 mi / 1200 ft gain
Park at the Sunrise Point parking lot and find the Palisades Trail at the northeast corner of the parking lot. If you bring along a pair of binoculars, you can stop at the first overlook on the left and scan the adjacent mountain slopes for the white dots of mountain goats. Continue down the trail as it descends about 300 feet to Sunrise Lake in the first 0.5 miles. A mile later you will reach ...
Camp at Nickel Creek
5 mi / 300 ft gain
First, check in at the Crescent City Ranger Information Center in Crescent City to pick up your free backcountry permit and get permission to park your car at the Crescent City Beach Education Center off of Enderts Beach Road. This is the safest place to park at due to numerous car break-ins at the Crescent City Beach Overlook parking lot since it is gated and operated by park rangers. This doe...
Snorkel at Elephant Beach
Assuming that you made the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island, the best way to reach the trailhead would be to either rent a bicycle ($2/day typically) or a scooter/motorcycle ($8/day) and pedal or drive to the small sheltered bus station at the foot of the jungle. Leave your bike there and start your trek to the beach. It's only about 1.5 miles to get there, but it can be a little sketch...
Hike up Devil's Peak
Cape Town, South Africa
4 mi / 2000 ft gain
Starting from the parking lot on Tafelberg Road, simply head south from the trailhead and follow the path as it meanders up multiple switchbacks. Stay on the main path at the 4-way junction and continue going straight up through the pine gully and eventually you'll reach the saddle. From here, follow the path as it turns to the east and head up along the now tree-less slope of Oppelskop Ridge (...
4.12 mi / 1870 ft gain
This trail is temporarily closed. Please visit the Forest Service website for updates to trails in the Columbia River Gorge. This hike starts at the Wahclella Falls trailhead, but does not use that trail. Instead, walk back towards the freeway and take a left onto the Columbia River Highway Trail. Go over the Tanner Creek bridge and take a left onto Trail #400. From here, follow Trail #400 u...
Hike to the top of South Fork Mountain
5 mi / 4181 ft gain
Starting from the Kanaka Peak Trailhead, follow the Kanaka Peak Trail all the way, continuing on past the Peltier Trail Junction and the Kanaka Cutoff Trail Junction until the trail begins to head east (about 2-2.5 miles from the trailhead) and there is a gently sloping hill on your right that is comprised mainly of pine trees and a carpet of pine needles. If you continue along the trail for an...
Backpack to the Natural Bridge
After you drive across the one-lane bridge and take the dirt road immediately after it, follow that dirt road until it begins to bend to the left. Park your vehicle in the turnoff on the right, and be sure to lock it and take (or hide) any valuables in it. Even though it’s relatively remote, random ATVs will occasionally whizz by (illegally), and since they’re already illegally driving around, ...