Discovering the Rarely Seen Backcountry at Reimer's Ranch

Known for climbing hotspots like Sex Cave, lots of people know how good Milton Reimer’s Ranch is for its rock formations. Mountain bikers and hikers also know it well for its 20 miles of trails (and growing), including everything from beginner-friendly strolls to pro-level, Triple Black Diamond singletrack. It’s even a great destination for horseback riding, as it features several equestrian-only trails. With its access to the Pedernales River, Reimer’s Ranch also offers a great relief for swimmers seeking an alternative when they get turned away from the easily crowded Hamilton Pool, just down the road. And at only about a half-hour from Downtown Austin, it’s an easy day trip for anyone wanting to get out of the city and into Hill Country nature. Reimers Pool in the fall Dave Brown First opened in 2005, Reimer’s Ranch is a relatively new Travis County park that has a lot to offer. They’ve recently added new facilities and continue to improve their offerings—including a new observatory that will begin providing star-gazing sessions in 2015. But since its opening, beyond its regular attractions, hardly anyone has seen all the rugged backcountry and adjacent tracts of native land that surround the park. When the summer crowds thin out, however, the park offers guided tours of its sacred backcountry, which includes walks on unnamed, undeveloped trails—many of which aren’t as much trails as they are just paths of least resistance. As you walk, park guides will tell you the natural history of the place and point out some of the native flora and fauna that have inhabited the land for thousands of years. Reimer's Ranch guide Nathan Kaplan points out ferns in a creek-side cliff in the park's rarely seen backcountry. Dave Brown They’ll also tell you about its more recent history as ranchland. Things like how the Reimer family used it for grazing goats until the goat industry bottomed-out, when they shifted to sheep grazing. And how Mr. Reimer bought it from Mr. Hamilton, who owned it in the 1800s and grazed cattle there. You will see evidence of its ranching past in things like partially hidden, really old homestead and ranch equipment: remnants of an old wood burning stove in a bunch of bluestem grass over here, or an old horse-drawn plow laying permanently at rest in a cactus patch over there. You’ll also learn how before its days as a true Texas ranch, native tribes called the land home, including the Apache, Comanche, and other tribes. If you look closely where the soil has been disturbed, there’s even a chance you just might find an arrowhead, or at least a chert rock that was worked by an Apache perhaps 300 years ago. As evidence of how little known these tours are, I was the only guest on this guided hike. I had basically a private tour, led by two guides who showed me around their backyard—a very big backyard. They took me past the boundary gates, and into the Pogue and Hogue tracts, the rugged stretches of land between Reimer’s Ranch and Hamilton Pool Preserve. There, they brought me to Pogue Creek and down to Pogue Pool, which, even though it remains technically unnamed, that’s what they called it, “because, well, it just makes sense.” I saw the seeps from which the creek originates, and the clear, deep water which is populated by perch and bass; I saw cypress trees that are probably 500 years old; and sycamores stretching their roots into the cool waters; and at least three different species of ferns clinging to the cliffs that wall the creek. There was also a large snake skin, either from a rattler or a cottonmouth, and lots of other wildlife. This is the rarely seen backcountry at Reimer’s Ranch, where you can get a real experience of old land, where not everything is named or landscaped or paved or made easily accessible. Where hardly anything is controlled. Where almost everything is wild. If you want to enjoy rugged, Texas Hill Country land in its true natural state, you must make a visit. Backcountry tours are included in the $10 park entrance fee and run fall through spring, October through May, Saturdays only, at 10:00 am. The gathering point is in the mountain biking trailhead’s parking lot. Just pay your park entrance fee to the ranger at the main entrance booth, and they’ll tell you where to go. The tour lasts between one to two hours, depending on your group’s pace. The guides are pretty casual about it. Just be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes – no heels or flip-flops – because you will be walking off-trail, surrounded by things that can poke and bite. Enjoy!

Southern California is a hotbed of geothermal activity and plate tectonics, which can have the effect of creating an ever-creeping dread of the inevitable earthquake. But instead of living in perpetual fear of the “Big One”, outdoor-loving types in SoCal can take advantage of the plus side of an active geothermal region—proximity to an abundance of hot springs. And—bonus for backpackers—several of these magical spots are only accessible via hardy hikes, which is a great way to weed out hordes of tourists, not to mention beckon a worthy reward for miles on the trail and the resulting achy muscles. So, for a resplendent escape from the sprawl and bustle of the Los Angeles area, grab your backpack and bathing suit and hit the trail to explore these four incredible hot springs in Southern California—Mother Nature’s best day spas. 1. Sespe Hot Springs Just two hours from Los Angeles, the Sespe Hot Springs feel worlds away. Kara Kieffer Located just two hours from Los Angeles, north of the vineyard town of Ojai, Sespe Hot Springs are tucked deep into the Sespe Wilderness. Despite their proximity to a major metropolitan area, these hot springs feel indefinitely wild. The Sespe Wilderness area features soaring white sandstone cliffs, long bare bluffs, and Sespe Creek cutting through the center. This area is also home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and some of the last remaining condors in California. The springs themselves bubble from the rock face at several points along the valley floor. The farther you walk up valley, the hotter the springs will be—until you reach the top spring, which boasts some of the hottest water in California. (It’s been measured at 194 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to dip in a toe beforehand to avoid a serious scalding.) The tubs at Sespe are built into the creek with natural stones that form small pools. Find your ideal soaking spot by scouting down creek until the temperature is just right. Set up camp along the sandy valley floor near the water. Getting into Sespe Hot Springs provides its own fun challenge. The most straightforward way is to hike 19.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca trailhead on the western side of the wilderness. This route passes by the disappointing Willet Hot Spring—a rubber cistern in the ground that’s filled with algae—as it follows the Sespe Creek. While this route is by far the longest, it has minimal elevation gain and access to water almost constantly. An alternate (and more fun) route is to follow the Johnson Ridge Trail from the northern trailhead. This route follows an exposed ridge 9.5 miles down to the hot springs, giving hikers a commanding view of the Sepse area, a downhill approach to the springs, and nearly half the distance. However, the Johnson Ridge Trailhead must be reached by the unpaved Grade Road, which may cause some sedans to struggle (an SUV or all-wheel-drive vehicle is a better choice.). Plan your visit during the fall through spring, as the summer months can be brutally hot. 2. Iva Bell Hot Springs A moderate hike will lead you to six pools of the Iva Belle Hot Springs, located near Mammoth Lakes. Kara Kieffer Sprinkled outside of Mammoth Lakes, these are perhaps some of the most well-developed backcountry hot springs, with everything needed for a great weekend retreat. Six pools are scattered around numerous flat camping areas complete with their own fire pits; a year-round creek tumbles through camp, too. The Iva Bell springs are delightfully free of any eggy sulfuric smell, with clear water, and temperatures in the low 100s. The springs cascade down a hill in disjointed pods with the upper springs the smallest and least developed but hottes. The three lower pools are large enough to fit eight people each, with water that comes to about mid-thigh. Plan your trip for the summer months as the road the Red’s Meadow is closed during the winter. Remember that permits are required, but there are also a handful of walkup day permits you can snag at the Mammoth Visitors Center. From Mammoth Lakes, take the $7 Red’s Meadow shuttle and get off at the last (#10) stop at Red’s Meadow. Leaving Red’s, you will follow the Carter Creek Trail 11 miles as it first winds its way along granite hills, before dropping almost 1,000 feet into deep forest as you descend toward Fish Creek Valley. Once you’ve reached the creek, follow the trail left up the valley to reach the springs after another three miles. These springs are accessible year round, though they are easiest to access during the spring through early fall months. 3. Jordan Hot Springs Jordan Hot Springs is serene nowadays, despite being a developed resort prior to 1990. Kara Kieffer Jordan Hot Springs stands unique among its backpacker-only brethren for being the only hot spring on this list that was once a developed resort. Prior to 1990 and the creation of the Golden Trout Wilderness, visitors could pay to have themselves and their stuff shuttled down to the hot springs via horseback. But now the only way in is hiking. To access Jordan Hot Springs, start at the Black Rock ranger station on the southern end of the Golden Trout Wilderness. From the ranger station, follow signs six miles and 3,000 feet down, through pine forest that meanders along a creek. Once the trail begins to mellow you’ll come out into a clearing that has a large fire pit and several dilapidated buildings from the time the spring was a commercial venture. From the campground, the springs are just a few hundred feet down the trail. They are made up of a seven-person pool, a warmer single-person pool, and a trough that’s perfect for washing your feet in. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, with a small crowd likely on busy weekends. 4. Kern River Hot Spring The Kern River Hot Spring is an outdoor paradise: a single spring flowing into three pools along the shores of the Kern River, below massive towering cliffs surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees, with waters ranging from 100-115 degrees, situated along the shores of the Kern River. But it also requires some serious effort to get to. Furthermore, in researching these springs online you’ll find many people pointing to the Remington Hot Springs, which—aside from being the wrong springs—are often crowded, situated right along a road, and can attract some less-than-savory characters. The most popular way to get to the Kern River Hot Springs is by hiking the High Sierra Trail hitting the springs along the halfway point of your trek around mile 36. However, if doing a 72-mile thru hike of the HST isn’t feasible, there is another way to approach the springs. The shortest means of getting into the Kern River Hot Springs is via a 20-mile hike—with close to 6,00 feet of gain—departing from Mineral King Ranger station, heading over Franklyn Pass, and then descending along Rattlesnake Creek toward the Kern River and following the river to the hot springs. While getting to the Kern River Hot Springs is by no means an easy feat, the scenery alone, especially around Mineral King, is an enticing way to explore some of the lesser explored sections of Sequoia National Park. This hike requires a permit, which can be reserved online through the National Park Service, or can be obtained as a walk-up permit. The best window for attempting this hike is late spring through early fall, when you can take advantage of the warmer temperatures and the snow-free trail. Written by Kara Kieffer for RootsRated.

In the midst of February in the Pacific Northwest, summer can feel like a vague and distant memory. But keep your head up, and you'll notice the days are getting longer and the forecast sunnier. Which means it’s time to start thinking ahead for how to make the most of Seattle’s best season, so you can hit the ground running once it arrives. The importance of planning ahead is especially true for some of the most popular summer adventures in the state. Backcountry permits have just opened for The Enchantments and climbing Mount St. Helens, and will soon open for backpacking in Mount Rainier National Park. Here, our tips for how to apply and how to increase your odds of actually snagging some of the most popular Washington backcountry permits. Because, really, summer is just around the corner—and these are epic adventures you won’t want to miss. The Enchantments With scenery like this, it's easy to see why visiting The Enchantments is so popular. Nate B With dazzling alpine lakes and impressive granite peaks,The Enchantments is one of the most iconic wilderness areas in Washington. It’s also one of the most notoriously difficult places to get a summer backpacking permit for. This year, the U.S. Forest Service extended the timeframe for which a permit to camp in The Enchantments is required by six weeks, so you now need one if you plan to camp there anytime between May 15 and October 31. Seventy-five percent of the permits are divvied out via a lottery system, which opened this year on February 15 and closes on March 2. When you log on to the site, you’ll need to set up an account and pay a non-refundable $6 application fee (if you win a permit, it costs an additional $5 per person per day for up to eight people). You will also be asked to choose which zone area you would like a permit for: Snow Zone, Colchuck Zone, Core Enchantment Zone, Stuart Zone, or the Eightmile/Caroline Zone. The most popular zones to apply for are the Core Enchantments, Snow Lakes, and Colchuck Lakes Zones—so if you want to increase your odds of winning the lotto, try for one of the others. You’ll also have a better chance if you have the flexibility to apply for weekdays instead of weekend trips. If you’re not one of the lucky ones to win a permit, take heart: Day hikes do not require a permit, and 25 percent of the overnight permits are given out in-person at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Mount St. Helens Summiting Mount St. Helens is a once in a lifetime kind of adventure. gfpeck The 8,328-foot Mount St. Helens is famous for having blown its top in 1980, but those who dare to visit today find it is a spectacular peak. And if you're keen to climb Washington's volcanoes, hiking to St. Helens' summit crater is a great one to start with as; unlike Mount Rainier or Baker, it's not a technical climb. But it is still a big day: a 10-mile round-trip trek that ascends 4,500 feet, over which you may have to navigate ice, pumice boulder fields, and scree. And during the high season a permit is still required to tackle it. Permits to climb between April 1 and October 31 went on sale on the Mount St. Helens Institute website on February 1—and they’re going fast. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $22 per person. To increase your odds, look for weekdays in June or September (July and August are the most popular months to go). If your preferred dates are already sold out, check out the options on purmit.com (this is also the best place to sell your permit if you bought one you later realize you won’t be able to use). Mount Rainier Wilderness Mount Rainier National Park's Wonderland Trail is one of the best backpacking trips in the state. Loren Kerns Mount Rainier National Park is another sublime spot for a summer backpacking trip, and a similarly competitive place for getting a permit. 70 percent of the permits can be reserved ahead of time. Your best bet is to put in a request between March 15 and March 31: all requests received during this window will start to be processed on April 1, with any leftover permits awarded in the order requests are received. To make a reservation request, you will need to fax or mail a form printed from this page, or visit the Longmire Wilderness Information Center in person (it may seem old school, but they don’t take online requests or phone calls). There is a $20 reservation fee per party of up to 12 people. While the popular Wonderland Trail, the beautiful 93-mile trail circling Mount Rainier, might be a top choice, you’ll increase your chances of getting a permit if you are flexible about where in the park you want to camp and preferred dates (the wider range of start dates you can provide, the better). As August is the park's busiest month, June, July, or September can offer better odds. After you’ve put in your request, hang tight: it can take up to six weeks for the rangers to process all the applications. If you are awarded a reservation remember to actually pick it up from a ranger station. They will give your permit away if you don’t show up by 10am on the first day of your trip! If you aren’t awarded a reservation, similar to The Enchantments, you still have a good shot at getting one of the day-of permits that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Show up early, be prepared—and may the odds be ever in your favor! Written by Samantha Larson for RootsRated.