Category: 05-10 Miles

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Hiking Blue Ridge Trail to Fiske Peak

The view from the Blue Ridge Trail is sweeping as it looks into the Mendocino National Forest in the distance with Cache Creek in the foreground.
The view from the Blue Ridge Trail is sweeping as it looks into the Mendocino National Forest in the distance with Cache Creek in the foreground.

I love this hike! Hiking the Blue Ridge Trail to Fiske Peak in Northern California starts with a mild climb through an oak forest. It’s the only canopy you’ll be under during the hike. As the trail meanders up the open hillside, you’ll hike into a clear view of Glascock Mountain across the highway. Once you get to this point, the real ascension quickly begins. Continue reading “Hiking Blue Ridge Trail to Fiske Peak”

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Upper Bidwell Park: North Rim Trail to Middle Trail

The North Rim Trail in Upper Bidwell Park comes alive with color in the springtime.
The North Rim Trail in Upper Bidwell Park comes alive with color in the springtime.

It isn’t often that I hike a city park and let alone write about it, but Upper Bidwell Park in Chico is laden with hiking trails in the hills is an exception. Over the years I’ve heard so much about the hiking trails in Upper Bidwell Park, I finally decided to check it out in the spring. I hiked the North Rim Trail and Middle Trail Loop. Continue reading “Upper Bidwell Park: North Rim Trail to Middle Trail”

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Hiking Thunder Mountain

The views to the south of Thunder Mountain can be spectacular if the climatic conditions are right and there is at least some snow on the mountaintops in the distance.
The views to the south of Thunder Mountain can be spectacular if the climatic conditions are right and there is at least some snow on the mountaintops in the distance.

This sometimes heavy breather of a hike to Thunder Mountain has outstanding views of mountaintops and ranges and overlooks vast swaths of trees and granite, meadows and forested hiking. At slightly over three miles in, and after some of the heaviest climbing on the trail, you come to the vista that can make you stop hiking and just gaze at the landscape. As you look to the south, you can see mountain peaks in the distance – probably in the Stanislaus National Forest – some with snow on them. If there are clouds in the over them, it’s an even more powerful view. Continue reading “Hiking Thunder Mountain”

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Hiking High Bridge Trail

The views of the summer foothills from High Bridge Trail can be staggering at times.
The views of the summer foothills from High Bridge Trail can be staggering at times.

The High Bridge Trail hike starts off on a brief service road going down to Bear Creek. Follow the trail signs, and they will point you to where the crossing should be, and you can see where the trail picks up on the other side of the creek. However, depending on what the water level is like, you may not be able to safely cross, and you may have to improvise your own way. If the water is running, you will have to use your own best judgment as to if crossing is wise, or if you should try it at another time. Continue reading “Hiking High Bridge Trail”

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Billy’s Hill and Glascock Mountain

The north end of Capay Valley from Glascock Mountain where some of the farms can be seen.
The north end of Capay Valley from Glascock Mountain where some of the farms can be seen.

The hike up Billy’s Hill and then over to Glascock Mountain can be a butt kicker, but it is worth it. This land is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, so you can hike on it. Once you climb over the green gate, you will see there is no trail up Billy’s Hill, so the best way, albeit steep, is to hike a game trail. You may have to stop and rest on the up, which took me a little more than an hour to climb the 19 percent one-mile grade. The 980 foot ascent takes you from a starting elevation of 798 feet to 1778 feet. Continue reading “Billy’s Hill and Glascock Mountain”

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Hiking Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore

Tomales Point looks north into Bodega Bay.
Tomales Point looks north into Bodega Bay.

Ihave hiked the Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore several times, and depending on the time of year you go, you may or may not actually see the ocean as you move along the cliffed peninsula with the Pacific Ocean below you on the west side, Tomales Bay on the east side and Bodega Bay to the north. Continue reading “Hiking Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore”

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Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail

The Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail offers scenic views of Caples Lake and the surrounding mountains.
The Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail offers scenic views of Caples Lake and the surrounding mountains.

The Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail is not too often hiked but is a walk with history. As you hike it, it’s difficult to imagine how thousands of people in covered wagons made it along this terrain, and this trail isn’t anywhere near other difficult terrain they encountered on their way up Covered Wagon Peak. You won’t go that far if you turn around where I did, but you can. Continue reading “Carson Emigrant National Recreation Trail”

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Round Top Lake to Winnemucca Lake

Round Top Lake sits below the Sisters, which tower over the lake at 9,000 feet in elevation.
Round Top Lake sits below the Sisters, which tower over the lake at 9,000 feet in elevation.

Normally, I wouldn’t rate a hiking trail like Round Top Lake to Winnemucca Lake with a 🟠. It’s not a difficult hike, but the altitude might slow you down as you approach the 9000-foot mark. Even if it makes you huff and puff, it’s well worth it.

This hike has fantastic views as you approach Round Top Lake and look behind you to the north down on Caples Lake and the mountains beyond. Leaving the small parking lot, you’ll cross over Woods Creek on a bridge and then shortly after you’ll leave the pavement to your right and start hiking the trail. Continue reading “Round Top Lake to Winnemucca Lake”

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Hiking Big Meadow Trail to Round Lake

Big Meadow is vast and the trail cuts through it on the way to Round Lake.
Big Meadow is vast and the trail cuts through it on the way to Round Lake.

If you like hiking through meadows like I do, then this hike through Big Meadow is absolutely for you.

The hike starts off at the Big Meadow trailhead parking lot just off Highway 89 on Luther Pass, which is part of the larger Tahoe Rim Trail. You hike a pleasant .1 a mile before you come upon Highway 89 and have to cross it. Listen for traffic, as you should be able to hear it before you can see it coming around the corners. Continue reading “Hiking Big Meadow Trail to Round Lake”

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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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Stebbins Cold Canyon Loop Hike

The Blue Ridge Trail offers sweeping views of the foothills and surrounding area from about 1600 feet.
The Blue Ridge Trail offers sweeping views of the foothills and surrounding area from about 1600 feet.

Exploring the Stebbins Cold Canyon Loop, (also called the Homestead-Blue Ridge Loop or the Homestead Blue Ridge Trail), starts off easy as you hike through the canyon, but it becomes a workout as you ascend to the great views of Lake Berryessa. I have hiked this trail more times than I can count, and I will continue to hike it. I love it for its views and its challenge.

The way to the trail starts off from the parking lot is where you hike under Highway 128 by going through a drainage tunnel that runs under it. Continue reading “Stebbins Cold Canyon Loop Hike”

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Stevens Trail Along the American River

The American River Canyon from the Stevens Trail.
The American River Canyon from the Stevens Trail.

The Stevens Trail just outside of Colfax starts off pleasantly as you hike amongst lush greenery on both sides of the trail under the shade from oak tree canopy. The 1400 foot 3.7 mile descent to the American River is gentle, and the traffic sounds of the traffic on Interstate 80 fade into the distance as you venture away from the trailhead. Continue reading “Stevens Trail Along the American River”

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Hiking Around Loon Lake

Loon Lake from the trail.
Loon Lake from the trail.

There’s nothing difficult about hiking this scenic trail along Loon Lake on the Rubicon Trail, which offers picturesque images of the lake if you venture off the forested trail a little bit for the views. Along the way you will hike past granite rocks and hills as the trail is a gateway to Desolation Wilderness. This hike is purely about the scenery and not much of a challenge, as the trail is nicely maintained. Continue reading “Hiking Around Loon Lake”

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