Category: Winter Hiking

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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.

Continue reading “Hiking Bear Valley to Kelham Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore”

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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 Polomarin Trailhead to Wildcat Camp (Coast Trail)

The Coast Trail offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
The Coast Trail offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Hiking the Coast Trail from the Polomarin trailhead to Wildcamp Camp is like hiking Highway 1. It’s extraordinary with its views of the ocean on one side and forests on the other.

Most take this trail to hike to Alamere Falls, where the trail offshoot is at nearly four miles in. At the time I took this trail, the Alamere Falls cutoff was mostly overgrown and difficult to ascertain. It seemed like it wasn’t being well-maintained. Some say there is a sign there, but I did not see one when I hiked by, but someone made an arrow marker on the ground (not permanent) marking the intersection. Part of the overgrowth was poison oak, but nonetheless that doesn’t deter people from hiking to the falls. But if you go on, there’s more to see. Continue reading “Hiking Polomarin Trailhead to Wildcat Camp (Coast Trail)”

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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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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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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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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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