Mount Shasta Area | Lassen Area | Trinity Alps | Shasta-Trinity NF | Klamath NF | Redwood Coast | Wine Country | Bay Area | Sierra Nevada | Hiking Advice
Regular readers of the Northern California Hiking Trails blog know that I regularly take my olden golden retriever Molly with me on my walks and hikes. I've just discovered that Outside, the premier mag for outdoors adventures, is starting a new dog … [Continue reading]
Avalanches are common on Mount Shasta and they are a substantial threat to climbers. Recently a climber died in a fall on Mount Shasta's Avalanche Gulch climbing route, likely of major head injuries. She was not wearing a helmet. Mount Shasta … [Continue reading]
Early last month I wrote about how much I've enjoyed exploring Whiskeytown National Recreation Area hiking trails over the course of my life, and how this summer's fires resulted in the closure of many of those trails due to concerns of slides and … [Continue reading]
OK, I'm finally joining the long parade of local bloggers who have posted pictures of Mount Shasta with snow. This past winter and spring were so dry that our beloved mountain's southern slopes were devoid of the white stuff, which usually sticks … [Continue reading]
The Montara area, north of Half Moon Bay and south of Pacifica, has long had special significance for me. My oldest brother Eric Soares lived there from about 1996 until this summer, and I have spent many, many days in that beautiful area. We would … [Continue reading]
The Mount Shasta Trail Association recently did some important maintenance on local trails: the Box Canyon Trail near Lake Siskiyou and the town of Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County, and the Castle Crags State Park Nature Trail in Shasta County. Here's … [Continue reading]
Ever since my first visit in the 1980s, Heart Lake has been one of my top wilderness spots in Northern California. It's an easy hike up from Castle Lake and the shallow waters offer a perfect reflection of Mount Shasta. I live in the area, and it's … [Continue reading]
Over the last few days the California Department of Fish and Game has been required to stop stocking non-native fish in many lakes in Northern California, including a lot of those high mountain lakes in the Sierra Nevada, Trinity Alps, Trinity … [Continue reading]
Sweetheart Stephanie and I headed up to Castle Lake just outside of Mount Shasta last Friday to see the glacial lake and its cirque with the last touches of autumn color and before the big winter snows bury the landscape white.In summer, the … [Continue reading]
I've recently blogged about the effects of climate change on California coastal hiking trails, and how climate change is affecting animals in the Sierra Nevada and glaciers in Yosemite National Park.I just found an article about the findings of … [Continue reading]
Last night was a big event in the town of Mount Shasta in southern Siskiyou County, with most businesses staying open late and offering goodies and specials to entice visitors. That's why I was at Village Books, Mount Shasta's premier bookstore, … [Continue reading]
The Mount Shasta Herald has an article summarizing the wildfires that hit Siskiyou County in 2008. Much of the Klamath National Forest and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest lies within Siskiyou County's boundaries, and Siskiyou County holds many of … [Continue reading]
High school students from the regions surrounding Lassen Volcanic National Park will be helping out the NASA Astrobiology Institute with some research by hiking and snowshoeing into the hydrothermal areas of the park to gather data.From a NASA … [Continue reading]
I wrote last month about climate change in the Sierra Nevada. Now Tom Knudson of the Sierra Summit blog has put together a very interesting podcast about global warming in the Sierras, specifically the high mountains in the Yosemite National Park … [Continue reading]
I was interviewed last Thursday on Siskiyou County's 101.7 FM/102.3 FM about my books, blog, and local hikes. Several people asked if they could listen to the interview, so I put it on the Northern California Hiking Trails main site on the Hike of … [Continue reading]
I've hiked around cows my entire life, and there's been several times when cattle have been aggressive toward me. Cows attack hikers? It definitely happens, as you'll read below and especially in the comments. Many of the stories are from trails … [Continue reading]
Little Smokey is a bear who was rescued from the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Shasta-Trinity National Forest last summer. He's improving and plans are underway for his release back into the wilderness: Lil’ Smokey was found by a … [Continue reading]
Here they are, Backpacker Magazine's 10 most dangerous hikes in the United States (and one of them is in California). I've been on two of them: The Maze in Utah's Canyonlands, and the Kalalau Trail on Kauai. The list:The Maze, UT Bright Angel … [Continue reading]
For those of you who don't know, the manipulation and use of Klamath River water in southern Oregon and far Northern California has been very contentious in recent years, and has involved several groups, including farmers, Native American tribes, … [Continue reading]
I taped an interview yesterday with Cindy Summers at KSYC radio. It's the initial entry of an on-going series on outdoor adventures that will run every Thursday just after noon on 102.3 in south Siskiyou County and 101.7 in north Siskiyou … [Continue reading]
I didn't go, but I sure wish I had.Head over to Calipiddler's Sierra Nevada hiking and photography blog to read about her recent excursion in and around the Yosemite Valley, and make sure you click on the links to her excellent photo … [Continue reading]
Does the state of the economy affect how often you hit the hiking trails? Perhaps it does, at least in Norway. State of the Economy and Hiking Frequency I got this from the besthike.com blog. Rick found an article in Norway's Aftenbladet newspaper … [Continue reading]
The Tahoe National Forest is also finalizing its off-highway vehicle/OHV/road plan, with November 26th of 2008 the final day for comments.The Top 100 Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips in Northern California The all-color fourth edition features … [Continue reading]
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use of Klamath National Forest roads has been controversial, as it has been in other national forests. Hikers and OHV users don't always get along.My Sunday Post about Ken Decamp's Redding Record-Searchlight opinion … [Continue reading]
Like most states, California has suffered major budget woes caused in large part by the economic downturn, which means hiking trails could be off-limits if California State Parks are closed. So Governor Schwarzenegger targeted 48 state parks for … [Continue reading]
Hike peaceful redwood groves and rugged coastline: more info.
All my favorite hikes in my home territory! Details here.
Check out the new fourth edition of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. Completely updated!
