January 1, 2025
Stockton Creek Preserve, Upper Trail, Mariposa County
Total distance walked: 4.11 miles

Happy New Year! Today my sister and I kicked off the year with a refreshing morning walk at Stockton Creek Trail. The air was crisp, and the sun shone brightly.

We navigated the winding dirt path and skillfully side-stepped around muddy puddles left from a recent winter rainstorm.

I felt a sense of happiness being out on the trail hopeful that this would set the tone for a year filled with more outdoor adventures.

Reflecting on my years of blogging—it’s been 13 years now!—I realized just how frequently I’ve ventured down these same paths. In fact, if you check out my newly updated Index of Hikes, you’ll see that I’ve already written about this area five times. What more is there to say? Well, nature is ever changing, and the trail looks different each season making each post unique.

This year I’ll bring different perspectives to the trails I revisit by continuing to capture their essence through photography, history, personal stories and more. Additionally, I will be exploring some new-to-me trails hoping to discover fresh experiences and insights. 2025 should be a great year!

Until next time, happy trails.