Kaiser Wilderness
John Muir Wilderness
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
John Muir Wilderness
Sequoia National Forest
Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park
Appendix 2: Selected Sources and Recommended Reading
Preface
WELCOME TO THE total Northern California outdoor experience. Every aspect of the region’s incredible natural diversity is found within these 101 hikes—the jagged granite of the High Sierra, the crashing surf of the Pacific Coast, the volcanic landscape of the Modoc Plateau, the rich diversity of the Klamath Mountains, the magnificent redwoods of the North Coast, the spectacular views of the Bay Area. Lakes, peaks, rivers, creeks, volcanoes, waterfalls, valleys, beaches, forests, meadows, wildlife, wildflowers, lighthouses … all can be found within these pages.
This book describes a greater area than most Northern California guidebooks. Stretching north from Sequoia National Park through the Modoc Plateau of northeast California, it includes virtually all of the Sierra Nevada. Sweeping north along the coast, from Big Sur to the Oregon border, it contains the Coast Ranges, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Klamath Mountains. In total, this book covers the entire northern two-thirds of the state. And now this third edition opens up several new realms, with 18 entirely new trips and expanded coverage of the Sierra Nevada and North Coast regions.
The hikes were selected using three basic criteria, with each adventure including some combination of the following:
Isolation: Wilderness is freedom, an escape from the trappings of society. The fewer people you encounter, the deeper your experience.
Scenic beauty: Sweeping 360-degree vistas, exquisite works of nature, and the splendor of Northern California.
Unique destinations: Redwood forests, giant sequoias, granite domes, marble mountains, thundering waterfalls—places unlike anywhere else on Earth.
While all of these hikes can be completed in a single day, more than half can also be done as overnight backpacking trips. Each hike includes summary information outlining the basics of the trip, detailed driving directions, an in-depth trail description, and the location of the nearest visitor center and campground. Backpacking information is provided for appropriate hikes. The hikes are broadly distributed across Northern California—no matter where you are, an adventure awaits nearby. Enjoy!
Using This Book
TO PREPARE FOR the total Northern California outdoors experience, first carefully read “Safety, Gear, and the Wilderness Ethic”. Because selecting a hike can be an absorbing process, those unfamiliar with the state or unsure about where to visit should consult “Where Should I Go Hiking?”. Those looking for a specific feature should consult the chart or “Hikes by Theme”. Otherwise, just flip through the pages to your desired area and evaluate each hike based on the information provided.
Beginning along the Pacific shore with the Big Sur region, the hikes are organized clockwise around the state: north through the Bay Area, Coast Ranges, and Pacific Coast to the Klamath Mountains; then inland east across the Modoc Plateau; and finally south through the Sierra Nevada to end in southern Sequoia National Park.
Each hike is organized into a standard, easily understood template and includes at-a-glance summary information, detailed driving directions, a detailed hike description, and some additional information about nearby facilities:
Summary Information
Title The specific destination or location visited by the hike.
Highlights The most exciting features of a particular hike.
Distance The total mileage of the hike as described. For point-to-point hikes, the one-way distance is listed.
The distinctive flower of skunk cabbage
Total Elevation Gain/Loss The total amount of climbing and descending on the hike. This can be significantly greater than the difference between the hike’s lowest and highest points.
Hiking Time The total amount of time required for the hike, including time for brief rest stops and
