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Welcome to my blog, Trail Dust Dirty Girl (TDDG)! It is filled with my personal adventure stories, recommendations of “Must See” places, delicious backpacking cuisine recipes, as well as tips and tools for surviving in the great outdoors.  Most of TDDG blog relates to backpacking, but does include other outdoor interests as well.  Be sure to visit “My Story” and my first “Blog” while here! WhooHoo!!!

This is a living document and a “work in progress”, please feel free to message me with any comments or suggestions that would help this page be even better. Please “follow” my blog, and I’d also love for you to follow me on Facebook (yolanda.nowicki) and Instagram (ynowicki) too.  

I hope that you will enjoy my blog and many Happy Trails to you! ~Solo Yolo

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Thousand Island Lake, Eastern Sierra

Recent Posts

To Solo, or not to Solo?!! That is the Question.

by Trail Dust Dirty Girl, posted in Discussion Forum

The question of “To solo, or not to Solo?”, has been a heated debate amongst sports, adventure, and exploration enthusiasts across the globe, and especially as it relates to the female species (*).  I am, by no means, an authority in this matter, but I do have a very strong opinion on this topic, being a female, an introvert, and a person who absolutely needs to escape from the craziness of society in order to recuperate and rejuvenate.  For me and many others, it’s important to experience some of life’s adventures…Alone.

A Learning Experience on San Bernardino Peak (10,649’/4650′ elev gain/16 mi)

by Trail Dust Dirty Girl, posted in Backpacking, California, Discussion Forum, Hiking, Limber Pines Bench, Mountaineering, San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino Peak, San Gorgonio Wilderness, SAR Rescue, SoCal Hikes, Winter Backpacking, Winter Hiking

What started as a beautiful weekend of hiking and climbing, almost turned into a deadly event.  I am being a little over-dramatic, but with good reason as you will soon see.

Big Pine Lakes via North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail (10.5 mi/10,059′ elev/3000′ elev gain)

by Trail Dust Dirty Girl, posted in Big Pine, Big Pine Creek, Big Pine Lakes, California, Eastern Sierra, Hiking, Lakes, Rivers, Sierra, Sierra Hikes

Put Big Pines Lakes on your “Must Hike List”!!! My usual hiking area is from the Mammoth northward, so this trail really surprised me with it’s grand scenery, gently flowing creek, and pristine alpine lakes. Similar to many trails in the Sierra, this is definitely one that shouldn’t be missed.

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