I wrote last month about a marijuana bust and clean up on Lassen National Forest. I've also examined what you should do if you stumble upon a marijuana growing operation while hiking.Now more news in the same vein. Six Rivers National Forest just … [Continue reading]
Hike to Heart Lake and Castle Spire in Castle Crags with the Mount Shasta Trail Association on Saturday, September 11
Yep, I'm on the board of directors of the Mount Shasta Trail Association. Nope, I won't be on this one because I'll be hiking in the southern Sierra Nevada with my partner Stephanie.But here's the scoop for you: The Mt Shasta Trail Association … [Continue reading]
Backpacking Russian Wilderness Trails with Thom Gabrukiewicz
Backpacking the trails of the Russian Wilderness is one of my favorite activities. Thom Gabrukiewicz agrees, because he just spent a week at Paynes Lake and environs.Thom Gabrukiewicz is well-known in far northern California from his many years … [Continue reading]
North Fork American River Hiking Trails and Swimming Holes
The North Fork American River has many hiking trails that lead to some of the best swimming holes in the Sierra Nevada foothills.Best Hiking Trails in and near Sacramento!My compact, all-color guidebook features the best trails: … [Continue reading]
Trinity Alps Backpacking: Caribou Lake, Sawtooth Ridge, Emerald Lake, Morris Meadows
I recently took a kick-ass backpacking trip to Caribou Lake, Sawtooth Ridge, Emerald Lake , and Morris Meadows, all top Trinity Alps trails I haven't trod in years. The journey traced one of the most difficult journeys in my guidebook 100 Classic … [Continue reading]
Hiking to Horse Camp on Mount Shasta
The trail from Bunny Flat to Horse Camp is the most common route for folks climbing to the summit of Mount Shasta via Avalanche Gulch. It also makes an excellent short day hike, which is what Stephanie and I did late Thursday afternoon after a … [Continue reading]
Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Conference in South Lake Tahoe August 27-28, 2010
Most northern California hikers love to spend high-quality hiking time backpacking or day hiking Sierra Nevada trails. We also want the region to thrive and stay healthy, and to that end you should consider attending the Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual … [Continue reading]
Columbine Lake, Sawtooth Peak, and Sawtooth Pass in the Sierra Nevada — Calipidder’s Video
Here's an enticing video that Calipidder shot and posted to Youtube. She does a 360-degree with narrative of Columbine Lake, Sawtooth Peak, Sawtooth Pass, and other high Sierra scenery. It's all above timberline and it's stunning -- well worth your … [Continue reading]
East Bay Regional Park District Reception Living Landscape Book Signing
Living Landscape has just been published. The book details the first 75 years of the East Bay Regional Park District, including the development of many of its trails. East Bay Regional Park District Trails History I'm a big fan of the East Bay … [Continue reading]
Yosemite National Park Ecological Restoration Projects
Yosemite National Park has been active over the last few years to restore damaged parts of the park, including many that we hikers visit when day hiking or backpacking our favorite trails.Here is info a recent press release from the park with … [Continue reading]
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaking…
August is the best month for watching meteors. Get outside, preferably all night in your sleeping bag, and just look up. You'll see meteors from many showers, but especially the Perseids, which peak on the nights of August 11 and especially the … [Continue reading]
Free Entrance to National Parks August 14-15, 2010
Yes, it's time again to hit the hiking trails in your favorite national park for free this Saturday and Sunday.Here's a list of all the national parks in California: Cabrillo National Monument Death Valley National Park John Muir National … [Continue reading]
In Remembrance of My Golden Retriever Molly, 1996-2010
My sweet golden retriever Molly passed away recently at the age of 14 after a brief decline. I really miss her.Molly was born on the north shore of Kauai in 1996 and spent her first two years there. I taught her to swim in the Kilauea River, … [Continue reading]
Hiking Gray Rock Lakes Trails West of Mount Shasta
The Gray Rock Lakes lie in the Trinity Divide Mountains just west of Mount Shasta. A moderately easy trail leads to Lower Gray Rock Lake, Upper Gray Rock Lake, and Timber Lake, which all see few hikers while offering good swimming and camping … [Continue reading]
Sword Lake — Hiking and Camping in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness through Calipidder’s Eyes
Sword Lake in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is a favorite destination for Sierra Nevada backpackers. You can day hike the trail, or you can backpack in and camp. Sword Lake in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness I love the Calipidder blog. Rebecca … [Continue reading]
Black Butte Photos from My Recent Hike
Black Butte would be far more prominent if it weren't dwarfed by Mount Shasta hulking two miles to the east. I still love it and climb it once a year, and last week the snow finally melted off the north side.Last year I wrote a post with an … [Continue reading]
Lake Siskiyou Summer Swimming
One of my favorite pleasures of living in Siskiyou County is swimming in Lake Siskiyou.And yesterday was perfect. I arrived around 6:30 with the air temperature at 88 degrees, and calm winds meant the surface waters were fairly warm.I swam … [Continue reading]
Main Lassen Volcanic National Park Road Now Open
I wrote recently about how the deep snows have closed many Lassen Volcanic National Park roads and trails, but now some good news:The main Lassen Volcanic National Park road is open!However, many of the trails in the park are still under a … [Continue reading]
Dublin Hills Regional Park is the Latest East Bay Regional Park Addition
I spent many a pleasant afternoon hiking the trails and hillsides of the East Bay when I lived in Alameda from 1983 to 1985. I also did a few of the Bay Area hikes for 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California, but my co-author and brother Marc Soares … [Continue reading]
Pacific Crest Trail Film by The National Geographic Channel Airs Today
I do a lot of hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail near Mount Shasta.I also wrote a few weeks ago about the premier of a film about the Pacific Crest Trail from the National Geographic Channel. Now you have the chance to watch the same excellent … [Continue reading]
Fourth of July in My Corner of northern California
Doin' the Fourth of July Walk in Mount Shasta and spending the day with all my Mount Shasta friends and neighbors.Have a great Fourth everyone, and get outside! … [Continue reading]
Trinity Alps Wilderness Backpacking and Hiking Trails Update, July 2010
Note: Get the latest information on Trinity Alps trail conditions and trailhead access here.Like much of the rest of northern California, the Trinity Alps received an overabundance of snow this winter and spring. There's still a lot of snow at … [Continue reading]
Many Lassen Volcanic National Park Trails and Roads Closed by Snow
It will be a while before you or I hike the trails of Lassen Volcanic National Park this summer of 2010. Those major winter and spring snow storms dumped a lot of snow, and the entire park is still under several feet of it, so most of the roads and … [Continue reading]
Spring Hill Trail Construction Opportunity in Mount Shasta
The Mount Shasta Trail Association needs you to volunteer to finish the construction of the Spring Hill Trail on the north side of town. The MSTA needs two crews of five people to work 3-4 hours between June 28 and July 2, 2010. Contact MSTA … [Continue reading]
Bald Rock Trail on the Feather River Ranger District: Clean-Up This Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Bald Rock Trail near the Feather River has a special place in my heart. I first hiked the trail there when I was writing my first hiking guide, Best Short Hikes in and around the North Sacramento Valley (finally out of print after a great 16-year … [Continue reading]
