Category: 00-05 Miles

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Hike to Darwin Falls at Death Valley National Park

Darwin Falls is a spring-fed waterfall at Death Valley National Park.
Darwin Falls is a spring-fed waterfall at Death Valley National Park.

A waterfall at Death Valley National Park? Yep, there certainly is, and the hike to Darwin Falls is pretty easy for the most part.

The hike starts off from the parking lot and follows a Darwin Wash back to the waterfall. We didn’t start to notice water until about .7 miles from the trailhead that flowed from the waterfall in a stream. As we ventured further back, we went from a dry desert wash to trees, cattails and other greenery, including ferns, fed by the water.

Continue reading “Hike to Darwin Falls at Death Valley National Park”

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Hiking the Maze at Joshua Tree National Park

The desert landscape on the Maze hike is full of desert vegetation, trees, and land formations.
The desert landscape on the Maze hike is full of desert vegetation, trees, and land formations.

I’ve heard for years about The Maze at Joshua Tree National Park, and I finally got the opportunity to hike it. Maybe it was because of the hype I heard that I was expecting more than what it offered, but even with that said, I was in no way disappointed.

Continue reading “Hiking the Maze at Joshua Tree National Park”

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Hiking Skull Rock Nature Trail and Split Rock Trail at Joshua Tree National Park

The desert landscape at Joshua Tree National Park is striking, but pictures do not do it justice. It needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated.
The desert landscape at Joshua Tree National Park is striking, but pictures do not do it justice. It needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated.

This is the hike that made Joshua Tree National Park my favorite park. The Skull Rock Nature Trail/Split Rock Trail for me were over the top with scenery and ease. The video below and pictures do not do it justice. This hike needs to be experienced.

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Hiking Redbud Trail to Baton Flat

The Redbud Trail meanders through the oak laden hillsides of the Cache Creek Natural Area.
The Redbud Trail meanders through the oak laden hillsides of the Cache Creek Natural Area.

Originally posted June 8, 2018
Updated April 30, 2023

We hiked Redbud Trail in April 2023 after the California’s massive rainstorms earlier in the winter and spring.  What resulted were superblooms in locations. For as often as I have hiked the Redbud Trail, I have never seen the wildflowers on the trail I saw in late April. The wildflowers included Indian Paintbrush, Warrior Paintbrush, Common Fiddlestick, Western Wallflower, Diogene’s Lantern, and many other colorful wildflowers.

Hiking the Redbud Trail as it meanders along hillsides next to oak trees and descends down to Baton Flat and  Cache Creek is a pleasant hike through the foothills.

The trail starts off out of the parking lot on a service road and then to the right you’ll see a sign with Redbud Trail marked on it. Take the trail away from the road and hike along the edge of the foothills until you come to a creek bed that you have to cross. Continue reading “Hiking Redbud Trail to Baton Flat”

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Hiking Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park

A hiker enters a cave on the Moses Springs Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park.
A hiker enters a cave on the Moses Springs Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park.

The hike to Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park starts off on the High Peaks Trail as you hike under oak trees and ascend to the Moses Spring Trail junction.

As the trail ascends, you start to hike amongst rock formations that take you to the caves on the Moses Spring Trail. If you are not comfortable with caves, there is a bypass trail that will also take you to Bear Gulch Reservoir on up past the Moses Spring Trail junction that leads to the Rim Trail, but the caves are worth exploring. Continue reading “Hiking Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park”

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Hiking Sunset Trail, Mount Livermore and North Ridge Trail on Angel Island

The views from the top of Angel Island offer a 360 degree view of the San Francisco Bay.
The views from the top of Angel Island offer a 360 degree view of the San Francisco Bay.

The views from the top of Mount Livermore on Angel Island State Park of the San Francisco Bay are incredible on a clear day. You can see the San Francisco Skyline, the East Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and the hills of Marin County and much more.

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Hiking Vasquez Rocks Natural Park Area

The iconic Vasquez Rocks, made famous by Star Trek and other films and television are a fantastic place to hike.
The iconic Vasquez Rocks, made famous by Star Trek and other films and television are a fantastic place to hike.

See and stand where Captains Kirk and Picard once stood. If you’re a Star Trek fan, you’ll recognize the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park where several episodes and movies from the franchise have been filmed over the decades. But it’s also a really neat hiking place. Continue reading “Hiking Vasquez Rocks Natural Park Area”

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Hiking to Lake Margaret

Lake Margaret is surrounded by granite on most of its shores.
Lake Margaret is surrounded by granite on most of its shores.

Lake Margaret is a beautiful back country lake in the Eldorado National Forest just 2.5 miles from the trailhead.

But don’t let that short mileage fool you. While the hike is pleasant and moves through forested areas, next to small bodies of water, and during the right time of year it is very flowery and green. There are, however, some challenges to overcome. Continue reading “Hiking to Lake Margaret”

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Hiking the Steep Ravine Trail – Dipsea Trail Loop

The Steep Ravine Trail on Mount Tamalpias follows Webb Creek through a lush Redwood forest.
The Steep Ravine Trail on Mount Tamalpias follows Webb Creek through a lush Redwood forest.

If you like hiking under Redwood trees next to running water and waterfalls, then the Steep Raving Trail is the hike for you if you do it at the right time of the year. By that, it’s good to go during or after a good rain when the waterfalls will be flowing.

The trail is called Steep Ravine for a reason. You will descend 1,084 feet on a 9 percent grade slightly over 2 miles. For the most part, it’s gentle, but the beginning is steep. If the water is running, it’s worth it. Continue reading “Hiking the Steep Ravine Trail – Dipsea Trail Loop”

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Hiking to Bassi Falls

Bassi Falls is at its fullest strength in May from the snowmelt runoff. 
Bassi Falls is at its fullest strength in May from the snowmelt runoff.

Updated May 23, 2021

Bassi Falls is a spectacular show of natural force as it tumbles and crashes 109 feet off granite rocks before the water hits the bottom and flows away. To see the falls at their most powerful, it’s best to go before the end of May while the snowmelt is still good. After May, the flow slows and eventually becomes a trickle. Continue reading “Hiking to Bassi Falls”

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Hike Lovers Leap Trail

The view from the top of Lovers Leap is sweeping.
The view from the top of Lovers Leap is sweeping.

Though short, hiking up Lovers Leap trail is one tough climb. You start to feel the pull almost immediately once stepping onto the trail, and it doesn’t stop until you make it almost to the top as you hike under thick pine most of the way. Following the trail takes you to the top of the end point, which is the highlight of the trail. Continue reading “Hike Lovers Leap Trail”

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Hiking Valley Vista Trail

The view from Valley Vista Trail overlooks a northern portion of Capay Valley with Cache Creek running below it.
The view from Valley Vista Trail overlooks a northern portion of Capay Valley with Cache Creek running below it.

The hike up to Valley Vista Trail can be heart pounding in areas and seemingly level in others while you ascend the entire time. On a clear day while hiking, you can see the Sutter Buttes, portions of the north end of Capay Valley, the Sacramento Valley and the Sierras way out to the east. Continue reading “Hiking Valley Vista Trail”

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Hiking Annie’s Trail

The view from Annie's Rock is incredible in the spring when everything is green. On a clear day, Mt. Konocti and Snow Mountain can be seen.
The view from Annie’s Rock is incredible in the spring when everything is green. On a clear day, Mt. Konocti and Snow Mountain can be seen.

Hiking to the Annie’s Trail trailhead can be a feat within itself, as you have to hike the Homestead Trail and climb many steps up a 19 percent grade over 400 feet to get to it. By the time you reach the trailhead, you’ve already hiked about two miles overall. Once you’ve made it this far, you’ll find yourself at a junction. To take Annie’s Trail, hike straight ahead and follow the trail south along an ascending path. You’ll do some ducking under limbs, but it’s not bad. Continue reading “Hiking Annie’s Trail”

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Hiking Pleasants Ridge Trail

A view of the Sacramento Valley from Pleasants Ridge Trail.
From Pleasants Ridge Trail, you can look down into the Sacramento Valley.

This trail is now closed

Hiking up Pleasants Ridge Trail starts off easy enough, but the hike quickly becomes a heart-pounding, heavy-breathing workout. At the time of this writing, Alltrails.com rates this trail as moderate (recently re-rated as hard). It is not, and this short trail is no way for the inexperienced hiker by any means. With grades at nearly 46 percent in some sections, this trail can actually be dangerous on the descent. I’ve never used my “hiker safety” category on a trail summary before, but this one is an exception. Continue reading “Hiking Pleasants Ridge Trail”

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