Category Archives: outdoors

Snow Mo the Sierra

March 18, 2022 danamite

Snow Mobile in the Sierra Nevada

snow Hidden well above Fresno deep in the Sierra National Forest, in between Yosemite & Kings Canyon, is the area of Lakeshore, also known as Huntington Lake. Secluded, remote & largely undeveloped wilderness offers much to the sport of cross country skiing or snow-mobiling. With hundreds of miles of groomed back country snow trails, it easy to get away from it all.

WILDFIRE NOTE:
CREEK FIRE 2020 destroyed a large portion of this forest

Rancheria Enterprises is a short walk from Lakeshore Resort & rents snowmobiles by the day or half day. Most machines are tandem, so you can ride 2 people & split the cost. NOTE: Maximum weight per machine = 300lbs.

Rancheria Enterprises
Lake Huntington, CA
Western Sierra / E of Fresno
at the end of Hwy. 168
559-893-3234

100+ miles of groomed trails

snowmo Moderate driving distance from Bay Area or Los Angeles & fairly easy to get to, depending on weather (of course). Saloon and mountain dinner restaurant at the old lodge, newer lake view condos up on the hill and Sierra Summit Ski Resort. Not bad for the middle of nowhere in the Sierras.

Central Sierra Nevada Mountains get a fair amount of deep snow most winters. Since there is a ski resort locate back here, HWY 168 is open year round; with very limited access to the backcountry. NFS Mono Hot Springs Resort may be open, but double check before you plan your trip. Lakes Edison & Florence are usually inaccessible for more than half the year.

LOCATED SOUTH OF YOSEMITE
Sierra National Forest

sierra snow mobiling — Meadow is a Play Zone

California snowmobile rentals Winter wonderland overnight stays in this area

Lakeshore, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake

Huntington Lake, Lakeshore, California

Cabin Rentals, Condo Rentals, Restaurant & Saloon

Shaver Lake, California

Bed & Breakfast, Lodging, Ski Rentals, Restaurants & Shops

lake cabins

The historic and rustic Lakeshore Resort offers small rental cabins set in pine forest. Kitchenettes or full kitchens available in all the cabins; No fireplaces or wood burning stoves. Super basic, yet older cabins. Affordable.

If you want your campfire indoors and all the ambience it brings, choose a more expensive lake view condo – on the hill, overlooking the lake. These high end units can usually sleep 6 or more w/ fold out sofas and extra bedrooms. Very spacious rentals w/ lake views and balcony.

condo

Winter recreation on the Western Sierra:

sledding

Snow Mobiling
Hiking
Snow Shoeing
Snow Skiing – XC & Downhill
Ice Fishing
Sledding
Cross Country Skiing
Hot Springs
Off-Roading

Muddy Roads Trio

Sierra Travel Options:

Drive partially (at night) and stay overnight in Visalia or one of many other country towns that dot the rolling hills of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

After the snow-mo adventure: On the return trip, make sure to take a slight detour on to Tollhouse Road which runs parallell to Hwy. 168 and rejoins it on the way back down the mountain. Spectacular rolling hills with meadows full of wildflowers and oak trees in mid to late Spring.

snowtrees

camp, outdoors

Winter Camping

March 6, 2022 danamite

winter camping

Camping isn’t only a summer time thing. In California, it can be enjoyed all year long – if you have the right gear to enjoy yourself. The deserts alone are prime destinations for your winter vacation OUT of DOORS. Star gazing is great & Back Road exploration is a great way to use that SUV.

Most meteor showers occur during the colder part of the year, so winter camping is a great way to experience the full sky & not miss any of these special shooting star shows. Desert locations well away from the city are the “best dark sky” choices. Less crowds, cooler temps and maybe more clouds.

KELBAKER ROAD is perfect place for stargazing, rock climbing, bon fires and free overnight camping.

weather:

We are not talking about making igloo camps in the highcountry. No snow shoes, nor cross country skiing chalets. Not even much snow camping. This page is just the basics on how to tolerate chilly temps in the milder climates for California’s dry destinations.

Make sure to check road conditions & check the closest town’s forecast before you head out on your road trip.

Bring enough clothing for a variety of temperatures. LAYERS, is the best advice for clothing. You may go from shorts to winter jacket all in 10 hours.

rain & wind:

California gets most all it’s precipitation from DECEMBER to APRIL, and a lot of winds along with each storm system. So be prepared for some weather.

Big wind event – can blow old trees down, across the road – trapping you on way back in there, so be prepared for a hike out. Super strong winds (40mph+) are also big factors in these outta control wildfires, as we’ve seen in recent years with the West Redding & Paradise fires.

camping in winter months:

Great desert locations & destinations:


More helpful links:

sleeping outdoors:

A good zero degree sleeping bag is well worth the cash you will spend on it and it will make those chilly Sierra nights bearable even in the early season. Where fold-up cots will circulate the cold air underneath you, Inflatable air mattresses can be total luxury!

Don’t throw out that old sleeping bag. Make is useful! Try placing a blanket under your air mattress & another on top for cushion & warmth…and to protect you from the cold ground temperatures that can creep up.

snow camping:
California Wilderness
National Forests
National Park
Rather book a Cabin?

camp comforts!

tent heaters
zero degree bags
good clothing
lotsa firewood

metal fire ring

Anza Borrego State Park allows you to camp along nearly any dirt back road, but requires that you use a metal fire ring to protect the soils & sandy washes from unsightly black ashes & coals.

A metal bucket like this can be found at your local hardware store. Old washing machine tubs work well too.

real heat:

Firewood Dealers all over California can sell you a way better deal than those grocery store bundles.

Make sure to bring more firewood than you think you may need. It’s better to have more than enough than to be wishing you had more.

Tent Heaters are the latest great idea to keep you super toasty even inside your tent. Not intended for overnight use. Shut it off before you go to sleep.

inspiration, outdoors, travel

Recreate

March 6, 2022 danamite

Recreation, Re-create what?
REAL LIFE

Let’s face it! Human beings were not designed to spend long hours in front of a television or computer. It’s no surprise that 50% of Americans are overweight, with all the lounging we do. The wifi is making my brain ache & too much screen time brings on tension. This cannot be natural, nor healthy.

While computer time is crucial to working & managing a busy schedule, learning a sense of balance in your daily life is of key importance too.

recreate your reality, one trail at a time

Years ago, while living in Los Angeles, I noticed I craved to be outside as much as possible. Whether it be walking in the local park, skating on the strand, lying on the beach or watching the sunset from a mountain top, it was a calling I had to follow. My enjoyment outdoors, be it leisure or recreational, became a very important part of my lifestyle (and thus was born the dream of Total Escape).

The more we go outside & exercise, the better we feel – overall. Enjoying wilderness & walks outdoors gives us peace of mind, naturally. The stillness we seek, in order to slow our minds & listen to our soul, is a primal one. But overall, we have learned to ignore it.

explore bodie — Bodie State Historical Park

Modern technology should give us more freedom in our lives, but instead, many find themselves strapped to devices, gadgets & insane time schedules. The more we remove ourselves from the natural earth, the less conscious of our own lives we become. Societal influences, daily doses of entertainment, video games, plus the “always online mentality” and smartphone addiction has given us a new reality (always indoors), an invasion of privacy and a sometimes, a false sense of security.

Technology is here to work with us, not against us. Set the boundaries, listen to your body & set yourself free each week. No matter if you are an avid gamer, a couch potato or a hi-tech corporate workaholic, we can all benefit from more time outdoors.

You’re not more productive;
You’re more distracted.

Learn to take more breaks, more often, away from the television & computers, for health sake. Total Escape is here to show you a way. Giving you ideas & destinations, to help you create good habits & make visits to nature a part of your weekly routine. The goal is to inspire you to explore & make your dreams of travel happen with a beautiful & easy to use web site, with as minimal obnoxious banners as possible.

dayhikeforest

California Travel this Season:

visit a historic ghost town
discover the wildflower fields
pack a picnic for a day outdoors
watch a million geese, in their natural habitat
bond with forest land, and collect firewood
seek out the deep snow – with snow shoes
stargaze, well away from city lights
soak your worries away, in the hot springs

recreate your life
recreate yourself
recreate your weekend

wildflowerwalks

Find a way to let go of stress in your life on a weekly basis. If the dieting & gym routine never worked, try something else. Keep trying. Tensions of the week will dissipate as you near the county line on that open rural highway. 3pm office day dreams will be brighter as you look forward to your next day off.

outdoors

Avoid the Crowds

June 11, 2021 danamite

How to Avoid Tourist Crowds when Traveling California

We are sure you’ll agree: Too much of life is spent sitting in traffic jams and waiting in line. Check out the traffic page. This page is created as a warning – CALIFORNIA IS CROWDED.

bus loads

“Hell is other people.” – Jean-Paul Sartre

Bus loads of senior citizens travel in luxury motor-coaches to casinos; Airport shuttles bring sightseers to local attractions on full day excursions; Mountain bikers head to the trailheads by way of a personal automobile, a sport utility or pickup truck; 4x4s caravan to their meeting spot, in route to the trail destination. People on their daily commute to and from work, school, play. California has loads of traffic, tourism and terrain, with a massive freeway system, plus some awesome state highways. Popular destinations tend to get crowded at certain times of the year.

California Road Trips & Peak Travel Seasons

California population may be ever growing, but they’re not building any more Yosemite Parks. The migratory path westward started w/ the historic gold rush – the trend has literally lasted over 200 years!

Make sure you plan your trip & book your lodging or campgrounds well in advance. In this west coast world of tourism, 3-6 months is not unheard of. The more popular the locale, the more people want that perfect weather month and the further in advance you should reserve. Remember a good portion of these mountains destinations are closed half the year for winter snow.

There’s nothing worse than planning a trip, only to fight traffic on your way outta town, stand in long lines & see way too many tourists running about. Enjoying nature shouldn’t have to include thousands of other people. Try these helpful tips for avoiding the crowds. Get more solitude & relaxation out of your vacation. Check our Fairs, Festivals, & Events list to know when certain towns & areas will be busiest.

With California population near 40 million people it’s a wonder we don’t kill each other faster. Slow down on the freeways and enjoy the back roads with Total Escape. Statistics show: One outta 8 Americans lives in California!

This staggering large population is ever growing and expanding. College students, retirees, world-travelers and young families flock here, bring relatives and friends to migrate west… ever since the gold mining boom of 1849.

Still we are cranking out babies and building more communities in California. Add a huge tourism industry that brings in millions of outta state folks for conventions & outdoor vacations.

Although Cali is a huge regional paradise to explore, it is amazing that locals can find any secret refuge for weekends or week-long fishing trips. With vast deserts, mountains and countryside, half the golden state land could be easily considered public land, park, wildlife refuge or neighborhood open space preserve. Total Escape has this back roads thing covered. Getting you out in the boonies to relax, in nature, is exactly what this site is for.

more nature, less people

Try out new areas! If you’ve never heard of it, chances are most people haven’t either. Go ahead, explore a little. California is a really big state.

California’s Busy Season

Summer is definitely the tourist season in California. All the out-of-staters coming in to see the amazing Golden State: the recreation & the sights it has to offer. Summertime is the busiest time to visit the well-known areas such as:

National Parks
State Parks & Beaches
National Forests
Coastal Towns
Mountain Regions
Lakes in California

Best time to plan trips to avoid summer crowds is –

Before Memorial Day (last weekend in May)
After Labor Day (first weekend in Sept.)

Plan your trip to overnight in the National Forest lands adjacent to a National Park . You can still enjoy nature and scenic attractions without having to sleep with the masses in the expensive campgrounds, which take camping reservations a year in advance.

Plenty of secluded primitive camping & small campgrounds are available in the NFS. California State Parks are very abundant too, often less crowded during the week days and non holiday weekends.

Winter can be the busiest time to visit these areas:

desert towns (with spa resorts)
mountain resorts (with skiing)

Off Seasons

Catalina Island
Off Season = November and April

Grand Canyon
Off season = November and April

North Rim Grand Cyn
Closes for winter. October – April

South Rim Grand Cyn
Open all year. Off season = November and March

Sierra Nevada Mountains
Off season = November – March

Sequoia NP – Open all year long
Kings Canyon NP – Open all year long

West side Sierra foothills
Hwy 168 – Shaver Lake
Hwy 108 – Sonora Pass
Hwy 4 – Ebbets Pass
Off season = November – March

Gold Country – Hwy 49
Off season = January – March

Eastern Sierra
US Hwy 395 – Mammoth
Off season = November – April

best time yosemite

Yosemite NP
Yosemite Valley – Open all year long. Parking limited.
Off season = November and March

Christmas in Yosemite Valley via Amtrak train is spectacular way to see the park in its full winter wonderland bliss.

High-country / Tuolumne Meadows
Hwy 120 – Tioga Pass
Closes in the winter months: November – May

traffictown

Better Book It – Below is a list of some super popular California destinations that have pretty limited accommodations. Tight quarters, limited capacity. Total Escape recommends you book early if you wanna spot at one of these prime places, especially in summer or winter months.

Big Bear Lake
Big Sur Coast
Cambria
Carmel
Catalina Island
Gold Country
Joshua Tree
Kings Canyon NP
La Jolla, San Diego
Lake Tahoe
Mammoth Lakes
Monterey
Mill Valley, Mount Tamalpais
Palm Springs
Point Reyes
San Francisco
Sequoia NP
Yosemite Valley

rivercamps — Mokelumne River, Central Sierra

We all have things that annoy us. Campers Beware

Total Escape Journey