Category: Forests

Posted on

Backpacking to Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness

Lake Aloha sits behind pine trees with mountains behind it.
Lake Aloha on the Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail is a gorgeous site to see with the forest in front of it and the mountains behind it.

The hike from Echo Lake to Lake Aloha is a beautiful Type 2 Fun hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail/Pacific Crest Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. We backpacked into Desolation Wilderness and were there for two nights.

Continue reading “Backpacking to Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness”

Posted on

Backpacking to Buck Island Lake in Eldorado National Forest

Buck Island Lake with forest and mountain ridges in the background.
Buck Island Lake is offers crystal blue waters in a picturesque setting in the Eldorado National Forest.

We backpacked out to Buck Island Lake over the summer which is in the El Dorado National Forest near Loon Lake but just short of going into Desolation Wilderness. The lake itself was beautiful where we and other backpackers were. But behold, the other side of the lake where the Jeepers are left the experience something to be desired.

Continue reading “Backpacking to Buck Island Lake in Eldorado National Forest”

Posted on

Hiking the Arnold Rim Trail to the “Top of the World”

The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range can be seen from the "Top of the World" on the Arnold Rim trail with snow caps in the distance.
The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range can be seen from the “Top of the World” on the Arnold Rim trail with snow caps in the distance.

The Arnold Rim Trail is a hike through a part of the Stanislaus National Forest that leads to a fantastic point dubbed the “The Top of the World” where the view is incredible. From the Sierras, you can see over to the Coastal Range and Mount Diablo nearly 90 miles away on a clear day.

Continue reading “Hiking the Arnold Rim Trail to the “Top of the World””

Posted on

Hiking Crags Trail to Castle Dome at Castle Crags State Park

A pair of crags tower over the end of the Crags Trail at Castle Crags State Park.
A pair of crags tower over the end of the Crags Trail at Castle Crags State Park.

Iwon’t sugar coat this. The hike to Castle Dome at Castle Crags State Park is not easy… especially on a hot day.

The hike starts off easy enough on the wide Root Creek Trail under forested canopy, but then you come to a junction about .3 miles in where you make a left turn, and then the climbing begins. Roughly after 500 feet, you will intersect with and cross over the Pacific Crest Trail.

Continue reading “Hiking Crags Trail to Castle Dome at Castle Crags State Park”

Posted on

Hiking Silver Lake to Spanish Peak in the Bucks Lake Wilderness

The view from the top of Spanish Peak is vast and sweeping with Mt. Lassen vaguely visible in the distance.
The view from the top of Spanish Peak is vast and sweeping with Mt. Lassen vaguely visible in the distance.

In 2021,  the Dixie Fire burned much of the area, so the landscape may be different now than when we were there about a month or so before the fire occurred.

Hiking to Spanish Peak from Silver Lake in the Plumas National Forest is not easy, but the views are a spectacular payoff. The terrain is diverse. You start off in the forested area at Silver Lake, then you hike exposed over granite as you climb, and then you hike through forested areas again.

Continue reading “Hiking Silver Lake to Spanish Peak in the Bucks Lake Wilderness”

Posted on

Trash in the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest

Trash left behind by backpackers and hikers in the Snow Mountain Wilderness.
Trash left behind by backpackers and hikers in the Snow Mountain Wilderness.

We went backpacking at Snow Mountain in late March, but this is not a trail summary. It’s more of a gripe similar to what I wrote in 2019 about garbage people left behind near the Fleming Trail System in the Eldorado National Forest.

Continue reading “Trash in the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest”

Posted on

Hiking Snow Mountain East Peak

The view from Snow Mountain East Peak into the Sacramento Valley.
The view from Snow Mountain East Peak into the Sacramento Valley.

As when I wrote about my hike to the West Peak of Snow Mountain, the same two words apply: “peaceful desolation,” but the scenery has drastically changed since 2018 when I was there last.

A little less than a month after I hiked to the West Peak, the Ranch Fire broke out, and the area was closed for nearly two years for restoration. Then it was opened it up, but then the August Fire broke out in 2020, and the forest closed back down for a few months.

Continue reading “Hiking Snow Mountain East Peak”

Posted on

River Canyon Trail at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

"This

River Canyon Trail at Calaveras Big Trees State Park is the poorest maintained trail I’ve ever hiked. Parts of the trail should be closed as a safety hazard due to the poor upkeep of it. If the trail were maintained, this could be a really nice hike through the forest down to the North Fork of the Stanislaus River. Instead, I should have worn my heavier off-trail boots for parts of this trail.

I hate to start the hiking season off with a downer summary, but I want to get the word out before anybody might consider going to this state park.

Continue reading “River Canyon Trail at Calaveras Big Trees State Park”

Posted on

Donner Peak, Mount Judah Hike

Donner Lake from Donner Peak.
Donner Lake from Donner Peak.

Hiking to Donner Peak is easy to moderate, and Donner Peak is the high-point of this hike – no question about it. Donner Peak overlooks Donner Lake, and once you make it there, you can take in the views and then head back the way you came. While there’s more, I won’t lie; I’d head back the way I came if I were to do this hike again.

Continue reading “Donner Peak, Mount Judah Hike”

Proudly powered by WordPress