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Welcome to Northern California Hiking Trails!

I’m John Soares, a long-time writer of hiking guidebooks published by Mountaineers Books. Click the pics below to get details about each of my books — and visit my blog for hundreds of articles about hiking trails and other hiking info.

John’s Recent Articles

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  New Mount Shasta Regional Trail Map: Hikers, Bikers, and More
  by John Soares
  May 14, 2025
  There’s a new trail map for the greater Mount Shasta region: Mount Shasta, Castle Crags State Park, Trinity Divide, Castle and Heart Lakes, and much more. I and other members… Read more: New Mount Shasta Regional Trail Map: Hikers, Bikers, and More
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  Piety Hill Loop Trail Hike: Perfect in Spring!
  by John Soares
  April 13, 2025
  Early spring is the perfect time to explore the Piety Hill Loop Trail system above Clear Creek west of Redding. I hiked there in the second week of April 2025… Read more: Piety Hill Loop Trail Hike: Perfect in Spring!
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  New Trinity Alps Map: Hiking Trails and More
  by John Soares
  April 4, 2025
  There’s a new trail map for the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the nearby Russian Wilderness. I and other members of the Green Trails Maps team recently hiked many of the… Read more: New Trinity Alps Map: Hiking Trails and More
• 
  2025 Free Entrance Days at Northern California National Parks and Monuments
  by John Soares
  January 18, 2025
  There are six free-entrance days  in 2025 for national parks and national monuments in Northern California. Hike your favorite trails, picnic, explore, and enjoy nature with your friends and family.… Read more: 2025 Free Entrance Days at Northern California National Parks and Monuments
• 
  Give the Gift of Hiking and Camping Books This Year!
  by John Soares
  November 17, 2024
  Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the outdoorsy people on your list, or the people you want to encourage to be outdoorsy? Then I humbly suggest buying your friends… Read more: Give the Gift of Hiking and Camping Books This Year!
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  Burney Falls January 2025 Hiking Trails Closure Details
  by John Soares
  February 17, 2024
  Popular Burney Falls Hiking Trail Reopens for 2025 and Beyond The Falls Loop Trail, the most popular hiking trail around and to the base of Burney Falls, is now open… Read more: Burney Falls January 2025 Hiking Trails Closure Details
• 
  2024 Free Entrance Days at Northern California National Parks and Monuments
  by John Soares
  January 8, 2024
  There are six free-entrance days  in 2024 for national parks and national monuments in Northern California. Hike your favorite trails, picnic, explore, and enjoy nature with your friends and family.… Read more: 2024 Free Entrance Days at Northern California National Parks and Monuments
• 
  2025 Dispersed Camping/Boondocking Changes: Updates to my Camp for Free Book
  by John Soares
  November 20, 2023
  2025 will continue to see more rule changes for and restrictions on dispersed camping/boondocking in the United States. These changes and restrictions accelerated since 2020 as more and more people… Read more: 2025 Dispersed Camping/Boondocking Changes: Updates to my Camp for Free Book
• 
  Dispersed Camping versus Boondocking: How They Differ…
  by John Soares
  May 31, 2023
  What exactly is dispersed camping? What exactly is boondocking? How are they similar and how are they different? Well, I’m the author of Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking… Read more: Dispersed Camping versus Boondocking: How They Differ…
• 
  10 Night Sky Observation Tips for Backpackers and Boondockers
  by John Soares
  May 11, 2023
  Observing the stars and planets in the night sky when backpacking and boondocking is one of life’s great pleasures. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of… Read more: 10 Night Sky Observation Tips for Backpackers and Boondockers
• 
  Pebble Beach Drive, Crescent City: Beach Walks, Ocean Vistas!
  by John Soares
  May 5, 2023
  Crescent City’s Pebble Beach Drive takes you along spectacular coastline with beach walking/hiking opportunities and beautiful vistas of rocky islands in the Pacific Ocean. Read on to find out how… Read more: Pebble Beach Drive, Crescent City: Beach Walks, Ocean Vistas!
• 
  Can Dogs Help You Get Unlost When Hiking?
  by John Soares
  April 10, 2023
  If you get lost hiking, can your dog help you get unlost? Maybe! Depends on the dog, depends on the situation. Here are two contrasting stories of me getting lost… Read more: Can Dogs Help You Get Unlost When Hiking?

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