The hike to Upper Ritchey Canyon at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is challenging, but along the way you can see a forest that is in recovery from a fire that burned through parts of it in 2020.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an incredible sight to see and hike along in Yellowstone National Park. From different vantage points, you can marvel at Lower Yellowstone Falls. The forest along the hike was tranquil and mediative, and once we left the crowds, we probably saw a little more than a dozen people.
Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park is a beautiful hike that is pretty easy and hikes through forests and next to big granite rocks. Upper and Lower Mirror Lake live up to their name where the reflections in the water of the landscape around them can be gorgeous.
There are several places you can start the hike from, and we jumped on the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail off of Ahwahnee Drive about .34 miles short of the Ahwahnee Hotel. The Mirror Lake hike itself is about a 2.4 mile loop, but we wanted to make a longer hike out of it, so we ended up hiking 7.2 miles.
The hike from Yosemite Valley up to Vernal Falls and then over to Nevada Falls is incredible, and one of many of many spectacular attractions of Yosemite National Park. But even hiking through the beauty of the forests, it does take work to make it to the top of either waterfall.
This is a very pleasant trail in the Napa Foothills where you eventually end up looking over Lake Hennessey from Conn Peak, especially in the springtime when the hills and trees are all green and the wildflowers are popping.
The Steep Ravine Trail at Mount Tamalpais State Park is a beautiful trail to hike, and I’ve written about it previously. I combined this trail with the Matt Davis Trail to make a loop on the west side of Mount Tamalpais.
If the weather is right, the views from the Coast Trail on Mount Tamalpais of the Pacific Ocean can be striking. During the right time of the year, the hills are beautifully green with a beautiful blue ocean background to the west, or sweeping green hills as you look north and south.
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.
Parts of the hike to First Burroughs Mountain from the Sunrise Visitor Center are fairy-tale spectacular where you see vibrant wildflowers, green meadows surrounded by thick forested trees, and stunning views of Mount Rainier.
The hike to Carter Falls is a climb for sure, but it offers a nice view of the falls, and then on up a little further, there’s Madcap Falls is just ahead.
We were pleasantly surprised by this trail on the Oregon Coast. When looking for trails to hike with some distance to them on the Oregon Coast, there weren’t too many choices showing, but this turned out to be a jewel of a hike.
Boy Scout Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a beautiful hike amongst the ferns and redwood trees. The trail leads to a massive redwood tree, called “Boy Scout Tree” and then a waterfall.
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.
Andrew Molera State Park at Big Sur offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby mountains. While the hike to see some of the views is challenging in places, it is worth it.
The hike to the Historic Orchard at Jack London State Historic Park is mild. The one-time 100 acre orchard once produced apples, apricots, pears, plums, and prunes. The orchard is a casual hike, but getting there is a hike up and down hills and through forests.
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.
Jack London State Historic Park is becoming one of my favorite places to hike. It has redwoods, oak forests, foothills, ridges and very scenic views. The hike up Mountain Trail to High Point is worth the effort and is spectacular.
The hike starts off on the Lake Trail to London Lake from the Upper Parking Lot. As you begin, you hike past a picnic area, winery ruins and the distillery and turn and hike past a vineyard. Follow Mountain Trail which is a service road next to the wooded area. We stayed on Mountain Road as we passed an intersection where another trail leads to London Lake.
The views from Cinder Cone over the Painted Dunes at Lassen Volcanic National Park offer an incredibly “artistic” view of the landscape. But if you want to see this incredible view, you will have to work for it.
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.
Up on the Northern California Coast just south of Fort Bragg in the Van Damme State Park is Fern Canyon. The deeper you go into the canyon, the better it gets. You will hike among the redwoods and lush ferns.
The trail up to Lassen Peak is loaded with switchbacks and is nothing but a climb, but the trail itself is very nicely maintained and views get better and better the higher you go. Once you reach the top, you should feel a real sense of accomplishment.
Virginia Lakes in the Eastern Sierra’s is a feast for the eyes but a workout on the lungs. The peak on this trail reaches approximately 11,120 feet give or take, with a starting elevation of 9,846 feet.
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.
The views from Ralston Peak are some of the most spectacular I’ve seen. You’re looking out at Lake Tahoe, Lake of the Woods, Lake Aloha, Ralston Lake, Upper Echo Lake, Mt. Tallac, Pyramid Peak, Mt. Rose and so much more from 9239 feet.
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.
The Caples Creek Trail follows the cascades of Caples Creek through the forest, and during June and July there are usually wildflowers along the way. The trail starts off on an incline that continues for a little more than 3.5 miles, but overall it isn’t a bad slope as you hike through the forest.
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.
At the right time of the year, this is another “blow your mind” hike where wildflowers abound on the Schneider Camp Trail before you start the serious ascent to the junction that goes on to Showers Lake.
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.
From the trailhead, the hike to Meiss Meadow follows the Pacific Crest Trail to the Upper Truckee River you’ll have to cross and proceed up to the Showers Lake.
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”
As I wrote in the Big Meadow to Round Lake summary, if you like hiking through meadows like I do, then this hike through Big Meadow is absolutely for you.
If you hike the trail to Scott’s Lake in the fall when the aspens are turning color, it will knock your socks off.
The hike starts off at the 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 two corners. Continue reading “Hiking to Scott’s Lake is full of Fall Color”
Lake Sylvia is a beautiful lake at 8050 feet in the Sierra Nevadas at the base of Pyramid Peak. The lake is small and beautiful, and the water is clear. It’s also idyllic and lined by pine trees on all but the northeast end, where you can look up at Pyramid Peak.
The only words I spoke to myself on this solo hike as I looked south to the mountain tops from the edge of Elephants Back were, “F*cking spectacular.” The pictures in this trail summary don’t do the view justice – it has to be experienced. Continue reading “Hiking Carson Pass to Elephants Back”
If you’re in the frame of mind for this type of trail, the Fleming Meadow Loop rocks. There are no sweeping vistas, not an abundance of wildflowers or much running water – just a hike among the trees in some areas with very dense forest. My experience was awesome for contemplation and meditation.
The Fleming Meadow Loop in the Eldorado National Forest is one of the best marked and maintained trails I’ve come across in a national forest. When you hike Trail 8, you will come across many junctions with roads and other trails, but Trail 8 is marked so it is easy to follow. This trail is taken advantage of by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrian riders and the locals who know its secret. Continue reading “Hiking Fleming Trail Loop in Eldorado National Forest”
How can you be a hiker in Northern California and not hike to Feather Falls? The falls are an awesome to sight to behold, and the hike isn’t so bad either – depending on when you go and the condition of the trail. At about .4 miles from the trailhead, you’ll have decision to make when you come to fork.
If you want to make a loop out of this hike, it might be best to go to the left, as the trail will head downhill. Coming back up this way could be strenuous. If you do decide to come back up this way, there are a series of benches along the trail for resting. This way is shorter taking about 3.3 miles to get to the overlook. Continue reading “Hiking to Feather Falls”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Ihave written about hiking to Round Top Lake and Winnemucca Lake in a previous post, but I want to revisit the hike from a different way. If you like summer wildflowers, this is absolutely the hike for you.
Instead of starting out at Woods Lake, on this hike you start from Carson Pass, just a few more miles up on Highway 88.
The wildflower display on the trail to Winnemucca Lake, I’m told, is “world renowned.” I don’t know if that’s true, but I can attest to the beauty along the trail to the lake like I’ve never encountered on in the wild before. There is lupine, Indian Paintbrush, and a host of flowers I don’t know the names of, but are blue, purple, yellow and white. It’s an explosion of color, and in all the times I’ve hiked this trail, I’ve seen not only hikers, but photographers out on the trail too. About 1.5 miles in, you get into the wildflower burst. There is some uphill, but it’s not bad to this point, so it’s more than worth going just for this. If you were to just go to Winnemucca Lake and turn back, the wildflowers alone would make it a five-star day and the lake a bonus. Continue reading “Carson Pass to Fourth of July Peak”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”