Category: National Parks

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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 Meadow Trail to Mt. Wittenberg Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore

While the grasses and some of the undergrowth along the trails in the Meadow Trail/Mt. Wittenberg Trail area at Point Reyes National Seashore are green, many of the trees are burned out from a 2020 fire that swept through the area.
While the grasses and some of the undergrowth along the trails in the Meadow Trail/Mt. Wittenberg Trail area at Point Reyes National Seashore are green, many of the trees are burned out from a 2020 fire that swept through the area.

Meadow Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore up to Sky Trail is a tough climb, but sometimes the rewards are great if you like wildlife. Both times I hiked the trail I was treated to seeing Black Tail Deer once in a meadow and once running in the forest.

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Hiking Fern Canyon/James Irvine Trail in Northern California

The ancestry of the ferns in Fern Canyon at Prairie Redwoods State Park can be traced back 325 million years.
The ancestry of the ferns in Fern Canyon at Prairie Redwoods State Park can be traced back 325 million years.

Fern Canyon on the Northern California Coast is a very green must do hike. The 50-foot high walls are covered with ferns that include lady fern, wood fern, five-finger fern, deer fern, leather leaf fern, and sword fern, and their lineage can be traced back 325 million years. Fern Canyon is beautiful, and as well as the James Irvin Trail.

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Hiking Sky Trail to Sculptured Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore

Sky Trail is a beautiful hike meanders along greenery and under pine trees.
Sky Trail is a beautiful hike meanders along greenery and under pine trees.

Sky Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore is an awesome hike, and at the right time of the year when the wildflowers are in bloom, it’s a feast for the eyes.  For the most part, the hike is not too difficult and is actually relaxing as you hike under the pine forests next to ferns and greenery.

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Hiking Bear Valley to Kelham Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore

Sandy Kelham Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore is backed by a cliff wall along its expanse.
Sandy Kelham Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore is backed by a cliff wall along its expanse.

Bear Valley Trail is probably the most popular trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and I’ve hiked it countless times. This family-friendly trail is wide and follows the Bear Valley Creek under lush canopy almost all the way where it intersects with the Coast Trail.

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Hiking Juniper Lake to Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake is peacefully serene in the morning. Stop and take it in.
Horseshoe Lake is peacefully serene in the morning. Stop and take it in.

Horseshoe Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park offers an awesome view, and is what makes this hike worth it. I got to experience the lake early in the morning before I saw any other hikers. It was beautiful, and even though I consider the entire hike the destination, just looking at Horseshoe Lake is a destination. Continue reading “Hiking Juniper Lake to Horseshoe Lake”

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Hiking Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mt. Lassen through a smokey haze from Prospect Peak.
Mt. Lassen through a smokey haze from Prospect Peak.

What makes the hike up to Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park worth the effort are the views from the 8340-foot summit. First, I have to admit, the views would have been spectacular when I was there, but there were several wildfires burning at the time. The Carr Fire near Redding and the Whaleback Fire near Susanville along with others in the state made for very hazy views when the wind blew in the smoke. Continue reading “Hiking Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park”

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