OK fellow hikers, all of northern California got buried under monster snowpack this winter and spring, including the Trinity Alps. As some of you may know, I started my backpacking career in the Trinity Alps, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself when I … [Continue reading]
Black Butte Hike and Mount Shasta Area Snow Conditions, June 22, 2011
Did an early evening hike to the summit of Black Butte near Mount Shasta yesterday, my first major hike at elevation this year. As regular readers know, we've had way above-normal snow pack in northern California, and I've been advocating that … [Continue reading]
Brooks-Range Cirro Jacket Review
The good folks at Brooks-Range sent me their new Cirro jacket to review, so I took it on my recent hiking trip to southern Utah.Now I'm not an expert on clothing and gear, just a hiker who's very interested in having quality stuff that will help … [Continue reading]
State Park Advocates Rally at Capitol on June 21, 2011 Against Planned Park Closures
I've written many posts about the budget threats in recent years to California State Parks and their hiking trails. I've also told you about my support of the California State Parks Foundation, which works tirelessly to keep parks open and accessible … [Continue reading]
Spring Middle-Elevation Hikes in Northern California…
Middle and low elevation day hikes and backpacking trips beckon Northern California hikers in spring, and also in early summer during high-snowfall years.So Stephanie and I are back from a fantastic trip to southern Utah. Yes, the same weather … [Continue reading]
On Listening to Birds at Dawn
With the longer days of late spring, I've been taking dawn walks down to the shore of Lake Shastina with my morning coffee. Recently, as I stood watching the lake, the birds, and the mountains, I was struck by all the different wildlife I could hear … [Continue reading]
Need Your Suggestions for Best Day Hikes in Southern Utah
Stephanie and I will spend roughly two weeks hiking and camping in Utah in the Southwest. We plan to focus on southern Utah and environs, roughly in the area that includes:San Rafael Swell Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park … [Continue reading]
Snow Pack Survey Results for Northern California — May 2011
Things are looking real BAD for high-mountain hiking and backpacking this summer in northern California, at least if the latest snow survey results on the Klamath National Forest and all of northern California are any indication. I wrote when we can … [Continue reading]
Marijuana Growers Threaten Private Lands in California
I've written several posts about the problems of marijuana growing on California national forests, and I've also directed you to the safety guidelines for marijuana gardens.Fellow hiking blogger Gambolin' Man shared an excellent article on … [Continue reading]
Presentation by Photographer Rick Braveheart at Turtle Bay on April 28, 2011
Photographer Rick Braveheart presents his photos of Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area, and other regions of the country, at Turtle Bay Museum.Rick and I have exchanged a couple of e-mails and he seems like a really great guy. I've also … [Continue reading]
Free Entrance to National Parks During National Park Week, April 16-24, 2011
Hey hikers -- take advantage of National Park Week to get free entrance to national parks and most other federally administered recreation lands.Here's the press release from Lassen Volcanic National Park, but other parks are holding similar … [Continue reading]
Any Changes for Reprint of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California?
Just heard from The Mountaineers Books, the publisher of my two hiking guidebooks. We're doing a reprint of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California, third edition.I'll go through the book and check the URLs, etc, but I'm also asking … [Continue reading]
Exploring Tilden Regional Park Hiking Trails with Gambolin’ Man
I've always loved Tilden Regional Park. I hiked its winding trails several times back in the 1980s when I lived in nearby Alameda.Gambolin' Man has created yet another photo-philosophical essay about Tilden, which is very close to home for him, … [Continue reading]
California State Parks Foundation Holds Ninth Annual Park Advocacy Day in Sacramento on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
California Park Advocacy Day, sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation, is coming soon.Just got this press release from the California State Parks Foundation. They do great work to help protect our state parks, including protecting … [Continue reading]
Feather Falls Trail Closed
I give a full description of the Feather Falls hike here, and spring and early summer are the most popular times to walk the trail to the stunning waterfall.However, the trail is now closed. Here are the details from a press release: Feather … [Continue reading]
Draft Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Interpretive Plan — Give Your Input
The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a great idea for educating people about the natural and human history of the Cascade Range. It covers a huge chunk of my home territory: it begins at Lake Almanor just south of Lassen Volcanic National Park, … [Continue reading]
Backpacker Magazine: Latest Issue Has 400-Plus Gear Recommendations
I'm finally updating my backpacking and day-hiking gear. To that end, I was very happy to see the latest issue of Backpacker Magazine in my mail box. It has over 400 reviews of the latest equipment and gear.I'll be writing soon about ultralight … [Continue reading]
When Can You First Hike in the Mount Shasta and Lassen Park Areas this Spring?
When can you first hike the trails Mount Shasta trails and Lassen Volcanic National Park trails this spring?Answer: it depends. Hiking Trails and Snow Levels I received an e-mail today from a gentleman living in the upper Midwest who is … [Continue reading]
Snowpack Survey Results for Klamath National Forest — March 2011
There's definite improvement in the Klamath National Forest snowpack given the several weeks of sun and above normal temps we had for much of January and early February; however overall results are bit below normal, although the data set is … [Continue reading]
Sutter Buttes Photos Wanted for Middle Mountain Foundation 2012 Calendar
The Middle Mountain Foundations wants to see your photos of the Sutter Buttes. The best ones will be chosen for the new calendar. The Sutter Buttes Mystique... I've been fascinated by the Sutter Buttes ever since I was a little kid and I'd drive … [Continue reading]
Mountain Lions Together — Cougar Meetup
This trail cam photo of eight mountain lions -- also called cougars or pumas -- gathered in the night comes courtesy of Randy, a hunter in Douglas County, Washington, who had set up the camera on private land with permission of the owner.Two or … [Continue reading]
California State Parks Foundation Sponsors Senate Bill 580
I've long hiked the trails of California's state parks, and I've been a strong advocate of keeping state parks open and accessible to hikers, picnickers, swimmers, boaters, and nature lovers.I'm also a member of the California State Parks … [Continue reading]
Saving California State Parks — New Report from California State Parks Foundation and Save the Redwoods League
I'm a big fan of California state parks, and I've been a strong advocate of keeping all the parks open and especially maintaining access to all the California State Parks hiking trails.The California State Parks Foundation and the Save the … [Continue reading]
Winter Hiking to Bear Basin Butte in the Siskiyou Wilderness
Michael Kauffmann writes an excellent blog that focuses on Klamath flora: Field Notes from Plant Explorations. He loves to get explore the high country, and he did that recently by hiking to Bear Basin Butte in the Siskiyou Wilderness with some … [Continue reading]
On Seeing A Fireball in the Predawn Winter Sky of Northern California
This morning I saw a very bright fireball in the predawn sky at my home in Northern California, by far the brightest meteor I have ever seen. What a treat! Here are the details...Most winter mornings I'm up around 5. I make a strong cup of French … [Continue reading]
