Sierra Nevada | Lassen | Shasta | Trinity Alps | Redwood Coast | Bay 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 year-round, even in winter.
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]
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]
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 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]
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 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 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]
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]
The Devils Corral to Susanville section of the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail beckons day hikers, backpackers, bikers, and nature lovers to enjoy the exceptional beauty of the Susan River Canyon. Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, … [Continue reading]
The Clikapudi Trail offers vistas of the mountains surrounding Shasta Lake, opportunities to explore the the lake's Pit River arm, and the tranquil beauty of Clikapudi Creek and its valley. Ghosts from a time long past share the Clikapudi … [Continue reading]
Briones Regional Park's extensive network of hiking trails is capped by Briones Peak, which has expansive views of hills and mountains in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is Hike 97 in my book 100 Classic Hikes: Northern California, fourth … [Continue reading]
Writing a Northern California hiking guidebook for Mountaineers Books always involves lots of phone calls, emails, and visits with the trail supervisors, forest rangers, and visitor center staff who know the most about the trails in their … [Continue reading]
Remoteness and lush creek-side vegetation lure hikers to the Sugarloaf Creek trail near Shasta Lake. Sugarloaf Creek runs year-round, and originates a few miles northwest of the trailhead. The trail itself parallels the creek, and always stays on the … [Continue reading]
Hike to Smith Lake beside California's Russian Wilderness and enjoy the deep-blue waters and surrounding steep granite. Fishing is good, but campsites are basically nonexistent. Note: Smith Lake is actually just outside the Russian Wilderness on the … [Continue reading]
Check out the new fourth edition of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. Completely updated!
