Author: Drew Robinson

I'm Drew, creator of Trail to Peak. Trail to Peak brings content to life on the web through breath-taking photography and captivating video. I launched Trail to Peak in 2014 with a goal to inspire readers to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. I have traveled to 19 countries, walked Camino de Santiago, hiked the John Muir Trail, trekked through the Andes of Peru, and am constantly seeking new adventures in my home state of California. Joining me on my weekly adventures is my partner, Julia, our son, Owen, and our two goldendoodles, Isla and Lilly.
Big Pine Lakes Hike Hiking North Fork Trail Temple Crag
by Drew Robinson July 9, 2017 3
Sierra Nevada Hikes

Hiking To Big Pine Lakes via The North Fork Trail

The hike to Big Pine Lakes via the North Fork Trail is a great way to see the beauty on display in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Starting at the Big Pine Creek Campground, this trail passes by Mt. Alice, before entering the John Muir Trail Wilderness of Inyo National Forest. There are 7 Big Pine Lakes numbered sequentially. For this hike, we only visited the first three, as snow and ice were blocking the trail for lakes 4-7.  The first three lakes are known to be the most scenic, as they sit with the majestic Temple Crag in the background. 

La Sportiva Bushido Gear Review Shoe Trail Running Hiking Backpacking
by Drew Robinson July 4, 2017 2
Footwear Reviews

Gear Review: La Sportiva Bushido

The La Sportiva Bushido is an aggressively built shoe that’s equipped to handle the toughest of trails. The low-volume upper allows for very precise foot placement with zero slop or movement. The 6mm drop midsole is stable and handles very well with a heavy pack. The FriXion Red outsole provides phenomenal traction on a wide variety of surfaces, and although the outsole pattern isn’t the most aggressive, it provides more than adequate grip when things get sloppy.  

Hiking Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon Trail
by Drew Robinson June 29, 2017 Number of comments0
San Bernardino County Hikes

Hiking Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon Trail

Cucamonga Peak via the Icehouse Canyon Trail is a 12 mile out-and-back hike that gains 4,339ft with a max elevation of 8,858ft. Located in the Cucamonga Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest, Cucamonga Peak sits in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. Although Mt. Baldy is the most well known peak in the San Gabriels, Cucamonga Peak is known for commanding the best views.

Gear review Nike Wildhorse 4
by Drew Robinson June 28, 2017 15
Footwear Reviews

Gear Review: The Nike Wildhorse 4, Is It Better Than The Wildhorse 3?

The Wildhorse 4 is a trail shoe from Nike offering loads of comfort, protection, and performance. At just over 13oz (12.5 US), the Wildhorse 4 manages to stay light for the amount of trail protection it offers. Built on an 8mm drop platform and having a last with a wide toebox, this shoe has a stable ride, and is one of the only non-zero drop offerings with enough splay room upfront. For the Wildhorse 4, my standard size 12.5 fit true to size.

Gear Review Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35 and 45 Backpacking Hiking
by Drew Robinson June 14, 2017 12
Tent, Backpack, and Sleep System Reviews

Gear Review: Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35 and 45

A few years ago, Ultimate Direction changed that by combining running vest comfort with backpacking capacity for their Fastpack 20 and 30. Ultimate Direction is best know for their running vests and hydration products that are used by some of the world’s elite ultra runners.  This year, Ultimate Direction has released a revamped lineup of packs they’re calling the Trail Collection. This includes the Fastpack 15, 25, 35, and 45. For this review, I’ll be taking a look at the 35 and 45.

Gear Review Salomon Sense Pro Max Hiking Trail Running
by Drew Robinson June 10, 2017 Number of comments0
Footwear Reviews

Gear Review: Salomon Sense Pro Max

The Salomon Sense Pro Max is a max-cushion trail shoe from Salomon that comes in at 12.8oz (12.5) and has a 6mm drop. With 33mm of midsole stack height in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot, the Sense Pro Max provides a lot of underfoot protection. Unlike the softer max-cushion offerings from Hoka and Altra, the Sense Pro Max feels pretty firm and responsive on the trail.

by Drew Robinson June 8, 2017 1
Camera and Electronics Reviews

Gear Review: Neewer (Meike) 35mm f/1.7 Manual Focus Prime Lens

At around $130, the Neewer 35mm is a tempting alternative to Sony’s $450 35mm offering. The two key features that account for the $300+ price difference is a lack of auto-focus and image stabilization on the Neewer 35mm. The Neewer 35mm is a lens that punches well above it’s weight though, providing impressive build quality, optics, and performance at the $130 price point.