Hi! I’m Melissa, and I'm passionate about discovering new places, hiking trails, and photographing nature. 

My first book, 75 Great Hikes Seattle, was published in 2017 by Moon Travel Guides. After relocating to the Bay Area in 2018, my work has been published in Modern Hiker, Weekend Sherpa, and The Mercury News. To better understand California’s natural wonders, I became a Certified California Naturalist in 2021. 

Now based in San Diego, I'm excited to explore the diverse landscapes and trails Southern California has to offer. When I’m not out hiking, you can find me studying maps and seasonal trends, mapping routes on CalTopo, and following weather patterns.

Beyond the trails, I love to get creative in the kitchen. Creating Italian and Turkish dishes, and sometimes a hybrid of the two, like Italian dolma, is a particular joy. On the sweeter side of things, as a devoted dark chocolate enthusiast, I also enjoy savoring and taste-testing different kinds, with a special appreciation for those that are 80% cacao or higher.