Northern California Hiking Trails

Potem Falls Trail: Easy Hike to a Stunning Waterfall!

May 9, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Potem Creek tumbles 70 feet over Potem Falls to crash into a beautiful, rock-rimmed swimming hole, all yours for a short trail hike.

Potem Falls, near the Pit River in the Shasta Lake National Recreation Area of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in northern part of Northern California. Unlike Burney Falls and the three waterfalls of the McCloud River near Highway 89, Potem Falls is a bit off the beaten track, which means you’ll share it with relatively few people.

Potem Falls on Potem Creek, which is near the Pit River shortly before it enters Shasta Lake in Shasta Lake National Recreation Area. — Potem Falls on Potem Creek. (rcrundwell via Creative Commons license)

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Castle Crags State Park Hiking Trails, Camping, and History

April 24, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Castle Dome from the Castle Dome Trail, Castle Crags Wilderness uphill from the state park. Difficult to climb: you need rock-climbing skills!

Love to hike? Castle Crags State Park hosts a range of hiking trails for every ability, plus an excellent campground. This post gives all you all your hiking options, plus camping details, and includes discussion of the geology, plant and animal … [Continue reading]

Pre-Order Hike the Parks: Redwood National and State Parks

April 18, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Hike the Parks: Redwood National and State Parks guidebook. Best hiking trails in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, plus coast/beach trails.

I loved writing Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks, my new all-color guidebook coming out June 1 from my long-time publisher Mountaineers Books. I lived in Crescent City and rural Del Norte County from 2000-2005, so I know the area … [Continue reading]

Exploring Angel Island’s Best Hiking Trails

April 15, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Angel Island's North Ridge Trail has great views of San Francisco Bay.

Why walk Angel Island hiking trails? Primarily for the gorgeous vistas of San Francisco Bay, including San Francisco itself, along with the Golden Gate, plus the surrounding hills and mountains stretching off into the far distance. This hike guides … [Continue reading]

2019 Free Entrance Days to Northern California National Parks and Monuments

April 4, 2019 By John Soares 2 Comments

Free Entrance to Northern California National Parks: Vernal Falls, Yosemite. Martin Luther King birthday, first day of National Park Week, birthday of National Park Service, National Public Lands Day, Veterans Day.

There are five free-entrance days (no fee!) in 2019 for national parks and national monuments in Northern California. Hike your favorite trails, picnic, explore, and enjoy nature with your friends and family. 2019 Free Entrance Days to Northern … [Continue reading]

My 2019 Presentations: Northern California Hiking Trails

March 31, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Burney Falls, fed by a huge underground reservoir, drops 100 million gallons of water daily down 129 feet to crash into a sapphire-blue pool.

I have several 2019 presentations coming up in Redding, the Sacramento area, and other cities about day hiking and backpacking the beautiful trails of Northern California, from the Sierra Nevada to Lassen Volcanic National Park to Mount Shasta to the … [Continue reading]

Hiking Antelope Creek Trail in Lassen National Forest: Spring Delight

March 18, 2019 By John Soares 2 Comments

Antelope Creek canyon from Hogsback Road, below Lassen National Forest and near the Tehama Wildlife Area.

The Antelope Creek Trail leaves the McClure Trailhead to travel through the Sierra volcanic canyon country of Lassen National Forest. Backpack or day hike past wildflowers and meadows and along the tumbling clear water of North Fork Antelope Creek. … [Continue reading]

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail Through Castle Crags State Park and Wilderness

March 10, 2019 By John Soares 2 Comments

Castle Crags' steep granite peaks viewed from the Pacific Crest Trail in Castle Crags Wilderness, just outside the state park.

The steep granite slopes of Castle Crags tower above this Pacific Crest Trail hike through Castle Crags State Park, Castle Crags Wilderness, and Shasta-Trinity National Forest. You gain a lot of beauty for a modest effort, and you'll likely also have … [Continue reading]

The Best San Francisco Hiking Trails…

March 3, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

San Francisco's Lands End Trail, part of the California Coastal Trail, passes this cool labyrinth with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County.

San Francisco hosts a variety of exceptional hiking trails. Guidebook author Alexandra Kenin shares her favorite hikes at ocean beaches and parks throughout the city, along with the best hikes and walks for children and dogs. Alexandra Kenin … [Continue reading]

Hikers Need a Lands Pass for Many California Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves

February 24, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Hikers and visitors need a lands pass for California Department of Fish and Wildlife trails, like Shasta Valley Wildlife Area's Trout Lake.

Hikers now must buy a lands pass to hike many wildlife areas and ecological reserves managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This post explains which visitors need to buy a lands pass, how to buy it, and which wildlife areas and … [Continue reading]

Exploring Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park Hiking Trails

February 18, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park hosts hiking trails, spatter cones, and lava tubes. Accessible by boat from Rat Farm.

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park has many miles of hiking trails, fascinating human history, and an abundance of wildlife, fascinating volcanic geology, and Cascade volcano views. You'll have to boat to the park, but that adds to the adventure and … [Continue reading]

Hiking Big Lake, Horr Pond, and the Tule River Levee Trails in Fall River Valley

February 17, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Horr Pond in the Fall River Valley. A hiking trail runs along the levee and leads to Little Tule River.

Hiking the levee trails along Big Lake, Horr Pond, and the Tule River in the Fall River Valley near McArthur rewards you with views of Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta, plus an abundance of wildlife. Hiking Big Lake, Horr Pond, and Tule River … [Continue reading]

The Best Northern California Spring Backpacking Trips

February 5, 2019 By John Soares 2 Comments

Backpacking the Lost Coast Trail. Backpackers explore the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline in Northern California's Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and King Range National Conservation Area.

Northern California is a great place for a spring backpacking trip! Here are the best low/middle elevation trails in the Bay Area, Northern Sierra Nevada, Lassen National Forest, Klamath Mountains, redwoods, and North Coast. You can hike many of them … [Continue reading]

Big Bald Rock Trail: Sierra Granite Views!

January 28, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

The Big Bald Rock Trail, Plumas National Forest, Feather River Ranger District: extensive granite, with large boulders.

The Big Bald Rock Trail takes you atop a broad granite dome in Plumas National Forest where you have wide-ranging views across the Northern Sierra Nevada. It's an easy hike with a big payoff! Big Bald Rock Trail Key Data Distance: up to 2.0 … [Continue reading]

Hike North Peak Montara Mountain: Stunning Bay Area Vista!

January 23, 2019 By John Soares Leave a Comment

Vista of North Peak Montara Mountain from the North Peak Access Road trail. One of the San Francisco Bay Area's more challenging hiking trails accessible from Highway 1.

360-degree view! Hike to the summit of North Peak Montara Mountain via North Peak Access Road from Montara State Beach through McNee Ranch State Park and you'll win a superb panorama of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Ocean, including the … [Continue reading]