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J u p i t e r

@jupiterhikes

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Long Distance Hiker l Video Maker l Painter
- 19,000+ miles of thru hiking
- getting deeply into bikepacking
New Videos Here 🙂⬇️

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One of my favorite sections along the Baja Divide, starting from the Pacific Ocean climbing up into the mountains, and descending a long long way down to the Sea of Cortez for the first time.

Good riding the entire way, no people at all, and a serene camp at the top of the climb.

I loved how this route zig zagged across the mountains from ocean to sea. It always felt like there was something different to look forward to. Just wait a day or two and it's a new world #bajadivide by @jupiterhikes

The Valle de Los Cirios was a section I probably most looked forward to. Followed immediately by a 250km waterless stretch, which I think most look least forward to.

A type of cactus that only exists here in Baja, commonly referred to as Dr Seuss trees. They are wonderful and stretch far into the sky.

I started out with around 15L of water hodgepodged all over my bike. Strapped anywhere I could. My little backpack full of extra water. A bottle in one hand that had no other place. It turned out to be fine, despite by the end needing more like 20L, some fishermen and some off road people gave me more.

Some crashes, some mud, bike slips out from under me in that mud. Now mud is lodged in places on my bike you really wouldn't want it. Lots of small mechanical problems but it was a really good time along a very remote stretch of beach.

And all the better I met my first ever bikepacker of the trip around here so we got to experience the problems and fun together!

Marie being much more experienced than I with trips on two wheels I really can't thank her enough for the help and the laughs. #bajadivide by @jupiterhikes

I started the Baja Divide without much expectation. Having never done a bikepacking trip before I pretty much thought the possibility of me quitting within the first couple weeks due to a mechanical failure was quite high.

I made a huge effort in the months before to learn as much about a bike and how to fix it as I could. Still, my one goal was to go at least the first 200 miles, and from there I would feel more confident. Just one small goal that could lead to a bigger one.

I got a bit unlucky, with my first two weeks being full of rain and full of mud. Full of minor detours to avoid that mud. But hey, I was doing all I could to keep it moving. I was having fun despite the conditions, and I was looking ever forward to doing more and more. by @jupiterhikes

My hiking plans for the year weren't happening and something in me said... That I should buy a bike!

I found one used that seemed pretty good, and then just needed some bags to take it camping. Fortunately I really enjoy sewing, and given my lack of experience with bikepacking I didn't so much care how well they're done.

My original plan was to ride the great divide mountain bike route, but I quickly realized I was too late in the season for that. And so I thought, what is the most interesting thing I could do instead?

I settled on the Baja Divide, a 1,700mi route down the Baja peninsula of Mexico starting in San Diego. I first heard about it back in 2017 and it had kind of stuck with me. Rugged, desert, beaches and mountains. Sounded perfect.

Although I wasn't maybe the most prepared, I was motivated and my mindset was good. It's hard to ask for much more really. by @jupiterhikes

Oh hey! I took a break from the internet. Not really a break from doing stuff tho. Here's some pictures from the last 12 or so months :)

As it turns out riding a bike is pretty cool, and even cooler is camping while riding a bike! Who knew? I always thought maybe, and I'm glad I finally got into it.

I'll be posting videos from (most of) these trips soon, and starting today! New one is up on youtube now if you're keen. If not, I hope you're doing well out there regardless by @jupiterhikes

Sprocket has never been to Florida before and despite having just walked across the state we wanted to see some of the more typical Florida things!

We took a little road trip in search of manatees, crystal springs, wizards, rockets, good car camps, and a little disc golf

I hope now that we've both seen a bit more of the state, from the trail perspective and the tourist 🙂 by @jupiterhikes

The end of our journey, and the end of my third time thru hiking (thru skating?) the 1,100 mile Florida Trail.

We wound up hiking 780 miles, and skating 330 miles. Pretty much any paved bit, no matter how crappy that pavement was, we got out the boards. Even some dirt roads.

This all did leave me with some problems though! I ended the trail and wound up doing most of the trail injured. The skating gave me shin splints in just one leg, and a nasty fall on a dirt road I probably shouldn't have tried to skate gave me a sprained wrist. Around halfway I thought it was likely that I would have to quit. And that's just the beginning of it!

We persisted however and in the end really did have a lot of fun! With the Orlando bike path being our biggest highlights which is entirely due to the fun of the boards. I am still not exactly sure I'd recommend it, but I think if you're flexible and looking for something different this is certainly it.

Every night the owls would hoot to us. We went through a wild snow storm in North Florida. Saw many armadillo and alligator. Many new bird species, flowers, and freshly built bridges. Had a lot of really nice campsites. Meet some cool new people! And hopefully will both ride skateboards again sometime.

The Florida Trail is great, and I think you should do it #floridatrail #floridatrailthruhike #floridahikes #floridahiking #bigcypress #thruskate #thruhike by @jupiterhikes

Big Cypress, our final mile on the skateboard, and the last 30 miles of the trail. About as unique as it gets hundreds of thousands of dwarf Cypress trees, and hiking through water(and mud) up to our shins for two days straight.

Surprisingly this was actually quite dry compared to how it often is. At a time we had to stay off trail and deep into a cypress dome to try to find water that was drinkable. Otherwise we slip and slop through the water, and enjoy the final miles of this hike. #floridatrail #ftthruhike #floridahikes #floridahiking #hiking #backpacking #thruskate by @jupiterhikes

For a northbound Florida Trail hiker this would be a beginning, for us this is nearing the end.

I do love the sunsets along the lake, but I don't so much like headwinds and those are certainly prevalent here. Still the many alligators along the shore are fun, the raccoons in the evenings, the relatively easy miles. It's not my favorite stretch of trail to say the least, but it definitely has its upsides too.

To circle the whole lake it would be about 110 miles or so. I did that once many years ago, and I think this time I am more than happy enough to be just going down one side of it.

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, is an interesting and quirky little piece of our journey, and the skating definitely adds to that.

Less than 100 miles to go. #floridatrail #ftthruhike #floridahikes #thruskate #thruhike #lakeokeechobee #lakeokeechobeescenictrail by @jupiterhikes

Southern sections of the Florida Trail 🙂 Wild flowers blooming, owls perched on branches, golden light shining through Spanish moss. This would be through Three Lakes and the sloughs south of River Ranch. Temperatures for us southbound hikers skyrocket but big clouds provide the shade and occasional rain.

I want to say that these are my favorite sections of this trail, but I think I feel that way about most sections of this trail. The birds have such a great variety, raccoons, possum, armadillo, alligators, wild turkey, bears to the north, all manor of snakes. We share the woods

Florida Trail videos from our thru skate will begin Monday the 26th! #floridatrail #floridahikes #ftthruhike #hiking #backpacking #threelakeswma #threelakes by @jupiterhikes

I love the woods and trees and flowers. The tall grass blowing in the wind. The birds and blazes. The silence and clouds. My own footsteps over the roots and mud and rocks. I love being in these areas, camping and hiking, learning more about the plants and animals.

It's unfortunate however when a roadwalk is more ingrained in my mind than a section of woods and trail. I guess you remember the highest points but also the lowest. I do however enjoy a lot of roads as a time to take a break, but sometimes it's a bit much. A great barrier for any newer trail, private land and how to get around it.

Fortunately I see on maps and hear whispers of new reroutes coming! One up north, another down south, one near the halfway point. A memorable road (or three or four) to be replaced by trees and parks and nice pathways!

I think the future of this trail is very bright. The land is so incredible and unique, and then the less stellar roads all seem to have their days numbered. I'm sure it'll be many years, but I very much look forward to that eventual time. #floridatrail #ftthruhike #hiking #backpacking #thruhike #thruskate by @jupiterhikes

Making way south of Orlando into such a cool area! I love the density, the sunlight fighting it's way through the palms and oaks, surrounded by palmetto. Little air plants and lush green forest. This is typically what I think of when I imagine the Florida trail, though across the entire thing there is a lot of variety, I think I look most fondly back on these places.

Coming up on 800 miles in, with about 300 left to go. Temperatures are warming drastically but we still get a chilly day here or there. The mosquito are waking up and arrive promptly at our tent by 6pm to do their duties. Ground torn up by wild pigs, flowers starting to bloom. Summer is coming. #floridatrail #floridahikes #ftthruhike #floridahiking #hiking #backpacking #thruhike
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