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 … [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]
Subway Cave and the Hat Creek Trail are on opposite sides of Highway 89 in Lassen National Forest near Cave Campground. And their opposites in another sense: Subway Cave takes you deep underground in a dark, cool, and still lava tube, while the Hat … [Continue reading]
Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoorsy people on your list, or the people you want to encourage to be outdoorsy? Then I humbly suggest buying your friends and family members one or both of my hiking guidebooks. Where to Buy in … [Continue reading]
Sims Flat along the upper Sacramento River has a hiking trail around the campground perimeter, and you can hike the west river bank in either direction to great swimming holes. There's also good fishing! Sims Flat makes a great place to … [Continue reading]
The Darlingtonia Trail in the Smith River National Recreation Area of Six Rivers National Forest is on the north side of Highway 199. You've likely seen the sign for "Botanical Trail" when traveling Highway 199 to and from Jedediah Smith Redwoods … [Continue reading]
The Sugar Lake Trail takes you into the beautiful glacial granite of the Russian Wilderness. It's a great option for day hikers and backpackers who want solitude along with stunning scenery. Sugar Lake "Miracle Mile" Conifer Diversity The … [Continue reading]
Autumn is a great season for hiking the mountain trails of Northern California, especially at the peak of fall color. Here are the pros and cons of autumn hiking, along with some advice. (Some of this advice also applies to spring backpacking in … [Continue reading]
Hike peaceful redwood groves and rugged coastline: more info.
Check out the new fourth edition of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. Completely updated!
