Only the fiercest blizzards close Carson Pass, which crosses the Sierra Nevada crest about 30 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe. The trailhead is next to a parking lot on California Highway 88,...

The High Sierra Trail runs approximately 70 miles from its western end at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. The trail passes through...

This is the first of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

This is the second of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

Henry Coe State Park is the wildest Bay Area backpacking locale, and the one place where backpackers can choose their own campsites without a reservation.

There is a trade-off: Henry Coe is all...

This is the third of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

This is the fourth of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

This is the fifth of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

This is the sixth of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the...

This is the last of a series of Guides to the High Sierra Trail, an approximately 70 mile trail that runs from Crescent Meadow on the western side of the Sierra Nevada to Whitney Portal on the eastern...

Welcome to the beginning of what is bound to be an epic adventure! The John Muir Trail begins in what could be called the Disneyland of National Parks - Yosemite Valley. If you are hiking this at the...

So, you started off on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite Valley a few days ago and have spent some time replenishing your calories at the Tuolumne Grill, your supplies via the Store and your resupply...

This is Henry Coe the hard way: 15 miles with over 4,000 feet of ascent and a chance to test your legs on the "Short Cut" -- consensus pick as the San Francisco Bay Area's toughest trail.

Henry W....

You will be hiking the section of the Pacific Crest Trail between Echo Summit and Carson Pass. It works best with two groups of hikers each starting at the distant parking lots. Your groups will meet...

The Hagen Trail at Red Rock Canyon State Park travels past red-stained sandstone curtains, rock windows, and desert cliffs. Well over 100 movies have been filmed in Red Rock Canyon State Park,...

The Red Cliffs Trail at Red Rock Canyon State Park travels past reddish cliffs comprising sandstone, mudstone, and some volcanic rocks. Evidence of slumping, or possibly faulting, is seen in this...

Red Rock Canyon State Park contains over 30 miles of 4WD back roads traversing the scenic desert terrain. A good map is needed and the visitor center gives out free rough maps showing the trails,...

Because much of the hike is pretty high elevation you have to wait until the summer to allow the snow to melt.

There are a few sidetracks along the way if, such as Anderson Peak, and Ticker's Knob....

Nightmare Gulch in Rock Canyon State Park attracts many
raptors. In order to protect the raptor nesting sites, the gulch is closed to hikers and vehicle travel yearly from February 1 to July 1.

The...

Henry Coe State Park south of San Jose is one of the best places see the Bay Area's spring wildflowers bloom. The park is all rugged countryside: hills, ridges, canyons -- genuine wilderness barely an...

This hike provides a great tour of some of the best features of desolation wilderness. It is great for a 2-day, 1-night backpacking trip on a weekend or for a long day hike. All lakes along this hike...

General Creek Trail is a wide, level trail that starts off just behind the General Creek Campground at Sugar Pine State Park. The trail initially follows the historical 1960 Olympics Cross Country...

Henry Coe State Park is all peaks, ridges and valleys, and its reputation for arduous treks is well deserved. Frog Lake Loop is the one shining exception.

While the hike starts with a 400-foot...

China Hole is one of the most popular destinations at Henry Coe State Park. Spring rains create a picturesque swimming hole at the confluence of two creeks, making the nearby backcountry campsite a...

This hike through the south grove at Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of the most popular areas of the park (the other being the north grove near the park entrance). This guide will take you...

The massive Henry Coe State Park has many adventures, but "beginners beware!" Easy hikes are available from both Hunting Hollow parking lots and the Park HQ on Dunne Road. This particular loop, from...

Ample lakes and trails surrounding Wrights Lake make for nearly endless outdoor activities. Trail hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and star gazing are some of the most popular. Day hikes can...

Humboldt Redwoods State Park encompasses 53,000 acres of forests, meadows, and watersheds and about 100 miles of hiking, biking, and riding trails. Approximately 17,000 acres consists of old-growth...

In 1924, Laura Mahan, President of the local Save-the-Redwoods League and James Mahan, a prominent Eureka attorney, took a personal stand when they learned the forest around you was about to be...

Monument Peak is about 4.2 miles long and located near Milpitas, California. This hike is from Sandy Wool Lake in Ed Levin park to Monument Peak summit via the Monument Peak Trail and is great for...

This is one of the lesser known drives through a coastal Redwoods Forest as it is far up the north coast of California away from population centers and the road through it (Howland Hill Road) is not...

Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park is a small, unassuming park with a pair of trails through preserved Juniper and Joshua tree desert forest. This short trail is 0.3 miles long and set up as...

A hike to a 12,000 foot high Sierra pass, covering the gamut from lush green meadows to pristine blue lakes, from calming babbling creeks to dry, desolate moonscapes. Mono Pass is a moderate hike at...

This is one of the best moderate hikes at Butano State Park. It can start out from the park entrance or from the campground.

Highlight of the loop is the Año Nuevo Trail, which make a rugged ascent...

This is an excellent moderate hike through the second-growth redwood forest at Portola Redwoods State Park. It ends at Slate Creek Trail Camp, a popular overnight camping destination.

The park is in...

Lower Russian River Paddle

The Santa Cruz Mountains illustrate why the Bay Area is hiker heaven: redwoods old and new fill hillsides facing the Pacific Ocean, which is visible from many high ridges on a clear day.

...

This easy to moderate hike begins at Woodchuck Basin parking area (elev. ~7800ft.) and climbs ~900ft. to the top of the divide between the Stanislaus and Mokulemne River basins. Total one-way distance...

Bay Area Ridge Trail: Mt. Madonna Loop is about 9.3 miles long and located near Interlaken, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes a full day

Little lakes valley hike is a beautiful day hike in the eastern sierra that takes you through scenic lakes formed by snow melt.

It is a moderately strenuous hike, not due of the elevation gain, but...

You might forget you came for the wine when you gaze upon the stunning panorama at the 4,342 summit of Mount St. Helena in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park.

The peak north of Calistoga looms large...

This bundle represents the perennial favorites of hikers who trek the wild hills of Henry Coe State Park. Included in this bundle:

Frog Lake Loop (easy/moderate)

Coyote Creek Loop...

Great Valley Grasslands is one of the less known, out of the way places in the State Park system. It's been barely developed beyond parking, a restroom, boat ramp, and partial trail along the San...

IMPORTANT NOTICE: My son visited the area on July 21, 2012. He found a ranger posted at the trailhead informing him that the trail was closed. Don't know if this is temporary or permanent. Suggest...

Alpine Pond is one of the prettiest places in the string of open-space preserves along Highway 35, also known as Skyline Boulevard.

That's saying something, given the abundant beauty in this stretch...

: A premier hard-core trail. First-time users should consider driving this trail during the annual Sierra Trek event sponsored by the California Association of 4WD Clubs in early August. At that time,...

The nearby town of Healdsburg acts as a sophisticated jumping-off point for this rural paradise, whose remote location and sleepy vibe are tempered by the buzz surrounding its wines. This is a...

Rinconada Trail - Los Padres National Forest is about 4.7 miles long and located near Pippin Corner, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours.

The Rinconada Trail...