The hike on the Judge Davis Trail down to Cache Creek was a son of a b*tch and should not be done as an out and back day hike but rather as a point to point backpacking trek.
A waterfall at Death Valley National Park? Yep, there certainly is, and the hike to Darwin Falls is pretty easy for the most part.
The hike starts off from the parking lot and follows a Darwin Wash back to the waterfall. We didn’t start to notice water until about .7 miles from the trailhead that flowed from the waterfall in a stream. As we ventured further back, we went from a dry desert wash to trees, cattails and other greenery, including ferns, fed by the water.
If you love dirt and sand, Desolation Canyon at Death Valley National Park is for you. If you don’t, the view at the end and colors in the canyon walls is may be worth the hike, but getting there can be a chore.
At the right time of the year, backpacking to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park can be beautiful with wildflowers all around, Wapama Falls with its powerful gushing water, and almost the constant views of the blue waters of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
While the jewel hike at Jack London State Historic Park is the Mountain Trail to its highest point, another good hike is the Sonoma Mountain Ridge Hike.
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 the London Lake.
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.
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.
Hiking the Carbon River Trail in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier is pretty easy-going. You will hike next to old-growth Douglas-fir trees while hiking through a densely green rainforest.
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.
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.
In 2021, the Dixie Fireburned 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.
This hike up Burma Road, the Burma Blast, at Mount Diablo State Park is a son of a b*tch. So a friend really wanted to this hike because it was labeled the “the toughest hike in the Bay Area.” I don’t know if it’s the toughest, but it was a challenge. And the views over the Bay Area, to the north, east and south were worth 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.
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.
This is a continuation of the Redbud Trail summary I wrote about in 2018. The total length of Redbud Trail (one way) is about 7.5 miles to Wilson Valley where it meets the Judge Davis Trail at Cache Creek. To read about the first 2.5 miles of the hike, see my Redbud Trail to Baton Flat summary. We pick up here at Baton Flat.
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.
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.
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.
Deafy Glade Trail is a butt kicker. After about a mile in and a creek crossing, it’s 3.5 miles of climbing that pulls on your calves, hamstrings and other lower body muscles. If you want buns of steel, this trail can make it happen for you. The view from the top where the Deafy Glade Trail meets the Summit Springs Trail offers views down into the Sacramento Valley and even the Sutter Buttes on a clear day.
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.
This short hike is an ass kicker, hence the name Cardiac Trail. After years of saying I’d never hike this trail because of everything I heard about it, a friend conned me into taking it on.
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.
The hike on the Smittle Creek Trail is an easy rolling hill hike along the shores of Lake Berryessa, but it really isn’t that impressive. I hiked it in the fall, but it may come alive in the spring when the hills are green and wildflowers are in bloom. I’m told this trail is popular with birdwatchers. I’m not knocking this trail… it has its place, and viewed in context, it makes for a pleasant Sunday stroll with a picnic by the lake. Continue reading “Hiking Smittle Creek Trail”
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”
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”
Bassi Falls is a spectacular show of natural force as it tumbles and crashes 109 feet off granite rocks before the water hits the bottom and flows away. To see the falls at their most powerful, it’s best to go before the end of May while the snowmelt is still good. After May, the flow slows and eventually becomes a trickle. Continue reading “Hiking to Bassi Falls”
Note: This portion of the forest was severely burned in 2018 shortly after I hiked it, and most the trees are now burned out. See my Snow Mountain East Peak summary for an update.
Peaceful desolation. That’s what the hike up Snow Mountain in the Snow Mountain Wilderness is. The trails are defined, the wildflowers are in bloom in the summer and people are scarce. The trails in this Northern California area are a hidden gem, as they are under-hiked and seemingly unknown to most.
Though not recommended to hike in the summer as the heat can be brutal, I happened to catch the mountain on an unseasonably cool July day with overcast and a smattering of rain. The wildflowers were in bloom from red to purple, yellow, blue and orange. The hike starts out exposed and meanders for a little more than a mile before you start to get under the cover of the tall pine trees as you climb.
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Hiking up Mount Konocti to Wright Peak is about a six-mile round-trip hike from the Upper Parking Lot near the access gate on Konocti Road. You will climb approximately 1,600 feet, and along the way, you hike past past walnut and apple orchards, through an amazing Canyon Oak grove to the Mary Downen cabin, which was built in 1903 and preserved. The trail continues up to Wright Peak to the no longer used CalFire lookout tower. You can also hike to Buckingham Peak and Howard Peak, which would make the entire mountain nearly a 9-mile hike. Continue reading “Hiking The Mount Konocti Trail”