Hike and Backpack

Mount Diablo Knobcone Point Road

2010-03-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Summary: This is a beautiful ridge hike about 3 miles total in and out on Knobcone Point Road with amazing views. This was a beautiful day, and we even saw a coyote near the Rock City parking lot.

Map: Go to the Mount Diablo State Park website for the location and driving directions. There is a trail map in the park brochure.

Pictures: (To see bigger pics at your own pace, and to read the captions, just click on the slideshow once it's playing. The Picasa album will open in a new tab/window)

Story: It was a beautiful Spring day, and we wanted to get out of the house. Mount Diablo is an easy choice for us, because it is huge and beautiful. This time of year, the hikes are cool, the hills are green, and there are wildflowers. We saw Indian Paintbrush and Baby Blue Eyes.

There is a $10 per car entrance fee, and it includes a brochure with the map. If you want to visit the park without paying, you can park outside of the entrance, and hike in. Just get the trail map from the web. We entered the park via the South Gate, and the best place to park for this hike is at Curry Point (see the link to the brochure under maps above). We parked at Rock City because we didn't know any better. But I'm glad we did because that's where we say a coyote as we were leaving.

The reason for choosing this hike was because we were in the mood for a short hike, without a lot of hills, and the attraction of Balancing Rock. We decided it should be renamed, Rock Outcrop. It is a non-event, and if it weren't signposted you'd never recognize it. But it is a beautiful hike, with amazing views.

A couple of times mountain bikers blasted by us way to fast, and one skidding nearly out of control. It's a consideration. They are allowed on this trail, and none of the mountain bikers we saw observed any courtesies such as calling out their presence, or slowing down as they pass hikers. Keep an eye on your little ones. You can hear the bikes coming. They sound like a car.

Samuel P Taylor - Devil's Gulch Hike

2010-03-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

Summary: This is a nice hike with lots of gorgeous scenery in Marin's Samuel P. Taylor State Park, and we saw a bobcat.

Map: (Click on the map to interact with it.)

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Story: This hike was organized by a friend and I'm grateful to have been turned on to a new place. In the first mile of the hike, there were calls from the front of the pack that they spotted a mountain lion. Halfway up the hill from us, there appeared to be a crouching cat. I've never seen a mountain lion in the wild, and I was pretty excited. It appeared to me that it might be a log, but someone in our group said that they saw it move, so... I took a few steps closer to it to get a look, still more than 100 feet away, while my friends told me I was on my own. I could clearly make out the eye markings of a bobcat. Without disturbing the cat, I returned to the fire road. After I reported my findings, it was not a log, not a mountain lion, but a bobcat, a bicyclist ran up the hill at the cat, and chased it off. Our group was very critical of the cyclist. His motive might have been to protect his small children who were with him.

We reached the end of Devils Gulch Road which ends in a barbed wire fence. Someone said the property owner is known for shooting trespassers with Rock Salt. That's good enough for me. :) For a trail map, click on the park link in the summary, then click on brochure. The trail map is in the brochure (pdf).

We took a parallel trail back to the bridge, and crossed the river. After a short way, Bill's trail branches to the falls. Half our group headed for the falls, and the rest of us headed uphill to Barnabe's Peak. This is a very nice trail with views of the hills through the trees, nice mushrooms and fungus this time of year (Winter), and mossy switchbacks. Please don't cut trails, it is not cool.

At the top of Bill's Trail is Barnabe Road. This is where our gang stopped for lunch. I hoofed it alone up the road to Barnabe Peak where there is an old fire lookout tower. It's a nice view over the other side toward Kent Lake.

We hiked on down, and back to the cars, with lots of nice views and fresh air. I would definitely recommend this easy hike.

Pictures: (To see bigger pics at your own pace, and to read the captions, just click on the slideshow once it's playing. The Picasa album will open in a new tab/window)

Black Diamond Mines Winter Hike

2010-02-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

Summary: A friend of mine arranged this hike to Black Diamond Mines and several of us parked at the second lot, climbed the Stewartville Trail and headed via Corcoran Mine Trail to the Prospect Tunnel. You can go into the tunnel for 200 feet, and it gets very dark. We returned via the Stewartville Trail, making a partial loop. It was a beautiful day. We took a lot of pictures.

Map: (Click on the map to interact with it.)

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Pictures: (To see bigger pics at your own pace, and to read the captions, just click on the slideshow once it's playing. The Picasa album will open in a new tab/window)

The Story: This was a beautiful crisp Winter day after weeks of rain. The hills were green and lush. We know in a couple of months, we will come back for the wildflowers. We plan to do a mine tour at the same time as that next visit. You should be warned that if you come soon after a rain, you should expect lots of mud to slog through. Cattle graze freely in this park and they are no trouble, but they trample the trails when they're muddy, and it becomes quite messy.

We hiked up Stewartville Trail, to the Ridge Trail. Along the Ridge Trail there are rocks that stick up out of the grass, and make a great place to take pictures and have lunch. That's where we had our lunch. Then we hiked down Corcoran Mine Trail and made a left at the bottom where it meets up again with the Stewartville Trail.

To get to the Prospect Tunnel, keep your eye out for a small trail that branches to the left after a rock quarry. It's a short distance to the tunnel. I was expecting it to be cold in there, but it felt very warm in the tunnel. It is dark in there, and there is a low ceiling. If you bring a flashlight, you will be able to see the crystals that grow from the ceiling in the tunnel.

Then we took the Stewartville Trail, which takes us all the way back to the start. At the parking lot, there was a ranger showing people a gopher snake. The kids were allowed to hold it, and it was a great learning experience.

There's a lot to see in this park, and all I can say is check out the pictures then plan your own hike out there.

Anthony Chabot Regional Park - MacDonald Trail

2009-09-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

Summary: This hike is 6.6 miles with minor elevation gain, and many gorgeous views from a wide dog friendly trail. There is no fee to pay, and plenty of shade on a sunny day. It will make you want to explore the rest of the park, and those adjacent.

Pictures: (Once the slideshow is playing, click on it again to go to the Picasa album for higher quality pictures and more control.)

Details: You access this hike by Redwood Road from Oakland. I downloaded the PDF map from the park's website, and with a good navigator, it was easy to find the MacDonald Staging Area. We headed southeast on the MacDonald trail and took the Brittleleaf offshoot for a short one way hike to a great view. There are plenty of views from the trail, but the lookout at the end of Brittleleaf is a little special. There is a rocky outcrop there, and a bench. We retraced our steps back to MacDonald Trail, and continued to the end at Bort Meadow Staging Area. We then turned around and returned to the car. This makes a total of 6.6 miles. There is an extensive network of trails here. So, I know I will be back. I'm especially interested in hiking around Lake Chabot now that I have the brochure map in my hands.

How did I find this hike? I was looking for a dog friendly hike in the Bay Area, so I found this website that listed a few. I chose Anthony Chabot Regional Park, not just because it's first on the list, but because it is near the San Leandro Reservoir. Turns out this hike doesn't afford hoped for views of the reservoir, but it was rewarding in other ways. It's a great hike for vistas, and seeing other people with dogs. It's very accessible by road, and it isn't exactly getting away from it all. There are always homes within view on the parallel Skyline Drive. There are also quite a few Mountain Bikers, but the trail is wide and it wasn't a problem. The trail is partly shaded, so it was nice on a very sunny day.

Another reason I want to return is to try the hike recommended on the dog friendly trail guide. Apparently, we started at the wrong staging area. We wanted the Bort Meadow Staging Area, which I figured out after reading the hike description. There is a lot to see here, and it has the advantage of being close to home.

Mitchell Canyon Nature Trail

2009-09-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Summary: This is a hot hike in the Summer, but the Nature Trail is well shaded, and if you bring water you will be fine. There are signposted points of interest, and a guide available from the Visitor Center (and a wooden box at the trailhead) to educate yourself along the way. The trail is a wide fire road, and is easy until you get to the climb that starts after the Nature Trail, but we were tempted up the hill by the views and tolerable grade. It's 4 miles in and out, but you can make it longer.

Details: We were in the mood for a short hike in a new place, and it was cool in Vallejo. So, we dressed for cool. It's always a good idea to check the weather where you're going on the internet. I found it by searching Google for: "mount diablo hikes". That turned up a list of 7 popular Mt. Diablo hikes. We hit the trail head at 3pm, and it was a scorcher. Luckily, there is plenty of shade along the way from the Oaks that surround the trail/fire road.

Location: We partly chose this hike because we like going to Walnut Creek's beautiful downtown area either before or after our hike. This time we went to Pomegranate for a lunch out on the sidewalk. Actually, we often go there because the food is excellent, and so is the service. The hike begins at the end of Mitchell Canyon Rd. There are restrooms, water and a staffed visitor center where you can pick up maps, and advice. There is a $6 parking fee.

Pictures:
The Nature Trail meanders right up the floor of the valley between two rocky ridges that afford beautiful rocky views.

At the end of the Nature Trail, there isn't a sign, but you can tell when the fire road starts to switchback up the end of the canyon. If you do go up about halfway, you will be rewarded with beautiful views. This looks back toward the beginning of the trail.

The pictures on the right gives you a good idea of how big the trail is. You don't have to worry about poison oak, unless you go off of the fire road. We did see a fair number of Mountain Bikers, and it looked like they were having a good time, at least on the downhill part. The trail is wide enough that there's plenty of room for everyone.

Finally, some other vistas from the trail.

Sunset Beach in Point Reyes in August

2009-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Summary: This is an amazing hike to the estuaries of Point Reyes National Seashore. We caught it on a cold foggy day, but it was hot at home. If you go, be prepared to find it cold. Only four miles in, and an easy hike. Very rewarding in views. It's great to see the changes in tide.

Pictures:
Once the slideshow is playing, click on it again to go to the Picasa album for higher quality pictures and more control.

Black Diamond Mines in Late July

2009-07-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Summary: This East Bay hike is hot in July, but the mines provide natural air conditioning, and many of the trails are shaded in parts by Oak, Pine, and Manzanita. There is a lot of history here, and signs placed throughout the park to help you enjoy it. There is an intricate web of interesting trails to explore covering a variety of fascinating topography. Don't miss the cemetery, and take the time to read some of the touching inscriptions. You will have to hunt for them.

We chose Black Diamond Mines because it's only about 35 minutes from Vallejo, and though we've been once before, we wanted to go back because there is more than you can see in one visit. Much more. I first discovered this East Bay Regional Preserve using Google Maps. I just put it in Map mode and searched for my home town of Vallejo, then zoomed out far enough to see the green patches around us that represent parks. When I saw the large green patch south of Antioch I zoomed in and discovered Black Diamond Mines. There is a reasonable $5 fee, and a map is provided.

This time, we headed up the Nortonville trail to Rose Hill Cemetary pictured above. We read a very moving inscription on the headstone of a man who died at the age of 42 on July 25, the same day as our visit.

We did see at least one determined mountain biker here, and I'd recommend biking earlier in the day. We were there around 1pm. A couple of notes for bicyclists. Wear a helmet, and slow down when passing pedestrians.

From the cemetery we continued on the Nortonville Trail, then took a left on the Black Diamond Mine Trail. The rocky outcrops in the picture show the kind of views you will see. There are also spectacular views of the hills, and off into the distance to the north and you can see all the way to the bay. Then we took another left down the Manhatten Canyon Trail. We crossed the footbridge to the Chaparral Trail, then you guessed it, another left that led us to the Eureka Slope.

This is a tunnel that bores down into the ground at a 45 degree angle. This is a cool spot to hang out. There is a wind blowing up out of the tunnel, and it is like standing in the open door of a refrigerator. On a hot day, this is just the thing. We then headed down the steps to the visitor center, which is closed until sometime in 2011 (when we hope it will reopen). The visitor center is down a mine shaft! You can stand in front of the gated entrance, and enjoy the cool breezes that blast out of the mine shaft opening. We enjoyed standing in the sun in the cool wind from the mine. It was air conditioning for the outdoors.

Two Hour Hike at Henry Coe State Park

2009-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Summary: We had a great 4 mile loop hike at Henry Coe State Park. It is 13 miles east of Morgan Hill, and well worth the visit. Lots of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Great vistas on the drive up, and vistas from the trail. Just check out the pictures.

There is a very reasonable day use fee of $5. I'd pay more. We started at the park headquarters, and the rangers gave us great tips on how to get the most out of four hours we had before a social event in Morgan Hill. The advice we received was to take the Corral Trail to the Springs Trail for 2 miles. Then return on the Forest Trail on the other side of the ridge. This was a spectacular hike, mostly because the day was just so perfect. The day was supposed to be cold and cloudy, and we ended up having alternating heat and shade from clouds with cool breezes. It was actually perfect hiking weather. It would have been quite hot without the clouds. At this time of the year, it was quite dry. There was plenty of poison oak to watch out for, but it was not directly on or next to the trail.

Along the Forest Trail there were a few Manzanita's and perhaps these are even Madrone's because this is quite a large tree. The sun was catching the peeling bark, and I was enjoying all of the colors in the tree's skin. The nice thing about this trail is that it is not especially wide, but it is flat and not rocky. There is not a lot of up and down. You're basically staying at the same elevation most of the time, so you're never winded. There are plenty of wildflowers to enjoy. Actually, the Forest Trail has about 27 items of interest numbered along the trail. You can take a trail guide and read about the numbered items of interest along the way. There are boxes at either end of the trail to pick up or drop off your trail guide. This is a nice way to educate yourself about the plants you see along the way.

Here's a picture of me at the end of the hike. The park is quite large, with many more miles of trails to explore, and it was worth the two hour drive from Vallejo. We will definitely be back, especially since we can also visit our wonderful friends in Morgan Hill after the hike. If you have any questions about Henry Coe State Park, feel free to comment on the blog entry, and I'll get back to you with a reply comment. Also, I have numerous photos of this hike, and I will post them if asked via the blog's comments.

Del Valle Regional Park Day Hike

2009-05-02T08:35:00.001-07:00

Summary: This hike is just about an hour from our house in Vallejo, and five minutes from Livermore. There is a lake for boating, fishing, swimming with a beautiful recreation area for BBQ, fields for soccer, kite flying, and throwing the frisbee. Yet you can hike out of this along the full length of the lake, or up into the hills where we did where there are no crowds, and you may even see a bobcat like we did.

The Map:

View Del Valle Regional Park in a larger map

The Pictures:
Click on the slideshow to play, once it's playing click on it again to go to the Picasa album for higher quality pictures and more control.

The Story:

This was a discovery for us. We were headed to do a completely different hike, to Murietta falls, but when we got to the park, the ranger told us the area we wanted was closed. I would arrive earlier in the day to do the Ohlone Trail to Murietta Falls anyway. That hike is a 1700 ft climb and 6 miles each way. So, we left that for another day. We grabbed a map and set out for a wander.

Check out the Del Valle Regional Park website for all the basic info. It was $6 to get in, and the map is included. You can stay close to the car, and have tons of fun, or you can hike or canoe into a lakeside campsite. This is one fun place.

We hiked along the lakefront where picnickers, fisherman, and kids playing swarm. It is very multicultural, and great people watching. We hiked past the last parking lot, and you can hike the entire length of the lake. At the point where the trail turns uphill to get around Badger Cove, we turned around, and decided to make our way back in the hills to get some views. I'm so glad we did that. For one thing, this gives you incredible views, but we also left people behind us for the most part. We encountered only one other couple, and after them, we saw a bobcat.

We saw him at Hidden Canyon, and he was just walking up the trail towards us. We stopped, and he continued to walk torwards us a little bit, then he cut off the trail. There is one picture where he can faintly be made out in the trail, but my camera is better on big scenes than on zooming in on moving wildlife. This is only the second time that I've seen a bobcat on my hikes, and it was a real thrill. He looked like a really muscular big housecat, but he had the bob tail, and the tufted ears with black tips. I've done some research since, and to me he looked more like a Canadian Lynx, which are threatened in the lower 48, but I don't know if that's possible. Here's the blurry pick. Decide for yourself.

We'll definitely be back to Del Valle Regional Park for kayaking, and more hiking.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Godspeed Trail

2009-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Summary: This is a beautiful hike to do in the Spring due to the wildflowers in bloom, and the amazing views. The elevation gain is moderate, but challenging. There are lots of nice people on this trail. You may see Turkeys. You will see lizards, ravens, and turkey vultures.

(To read my comments, click on the slideshow, and browse at your leisure.)

What a great day in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. You can do this hike without paying the day use fee. The parking is on the left side of the road before you enter the paid use area.

Be sure to take water with you. The hike crosses streams that were flowing in late March 2009, but they may be dry by Summer. We will have to go back in Summer and start it early in the day, or late in the afternoon. It was hot on a nice Spring day, so it will bake in Summer. We heard turkey's calling, but didn't see them this time. Last time we did this hike we say their footprints in the mud. They are distinctive three toed prints, and surprisingly large. Kevin spotted a tiny little ringneck snake on the trail, and we saw many varieties of lizard. The wildflowers were in bloom, and they were very nice. You have to see them in the Spring!

Also, don't miss Gunsight Rock, where the real views are. Mount Hood doesn't have big views, but it is not far from the junction where you can turn off to see Gunsight Rock.

Jack London State Park

2009-01-30T22:07:00.000-08:00

Summary: This is a place to explore, to linger and to savor. Yet you can walk for miles and miles. There is much to see, and vistas at the summit that will thrill you. This is a place with a history, and if you explore the stories of this place, you will know the tragedy of Jack London's life. There are picnic tables, barbeques, and water available.

Pictures from the hike: (click slideshow to see bigger and with captions)

Jack London State Park is just a mile west from Old Glen Ellen. There is a $6 fee per car to enter the park which closes the gates at 5pm. You'll want to have time so get there early enough to cover the ground you plan to hike. The trail map is part of the brochure available at the previously linked site.

Your first time to this park, you'll want to explore slowly the ruins and read the plaques. Jack London is the author of Call of the Wild and White Fang, both favorites of mine. In one direction you'll find Jack London's grave and Wolf House. In the other direction you'll find the ruined winery, the cottage, the silos, the pig palace, and further afield London Lake, and even further Sonoma Mountain.

Saw a Bear Hiking Near Auburn and the North Fork of the American River

2008-09-30T22:55:00.000-07:00

Auburn State Recreation Area

Just outside of Auburn, take 49 South in the direction of Cool and Placerville. Park your car as soon as you cross the North Fork of the American River on the right side of the road. You'll see a road sized trail heading off to the south west toward an old bridge. That is No Hands bridge, and it is a great place from which to take pictures. On the East side of the bridge, opposite from Auburn side, is the trail to Cool. Take that trail up into the woods. The whole area is very well signposted, but the signs are very confusing if you're trying to find the Western States Trail. So, my advice is don't. I recommend the route I took. Take the Training Hill Trail until you see the sign for the Quarry Trail. Take it until you see the sign for the Short Cut Trail. This will take you back to Highway 49 and you can walk back down to your car. This loop is about 6 miles, and it is mostly shaded. It is steep at first, but it is well worth it. Just look at the pictures.

Guide Book Critique

This hike is number 19 in my book, 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. Though I like this book for finding hikes, it is not so good in staying on the recommended trail route. One major complaint that I have about this book are the maps. The maps only show the trails that the author intends for you to take, and other trails are indicated with stubs that end in an arrow. So, should you want to extend your trip, or if you wonder where any of these trails go to, or if you become lost, you will need another map that shows all the trails. On this hike, I seemed to miss my turnoff to stay on the route recommended by the book, but it doesn't matter. I still had a great hike.

Signs Don't Make Sense

When you take your turn onto the Quarry Trail, you'll see the sign says, “Western States Tr. 2.3 M.” The very next sign says, “Western States Tr. 1.6 M.” back the way you came! So, trust me, don't trust the signs. This section of the trail is just to the side of Highway 49 by about 50 yards, and you hear the traffic. So, this is not the hike for those who want to feel completely removed from civilization. In fact, this hike is surrounded on three sides by the highway, though most of the time you don't hear it, or see it. There are also power lines and signs indicated buried cables throughout this hike, so take that into consideration if you are really trying to get away from the touch of humans.

Saw A Bear

As I was making my way down the Short Cut Trail, I looked across the valley and saw a big black bear on the other side of the valley. He was in the middle of a grassy area, and I could see him clearly through the branches on my hillside opposite him. He didn't hear or see me, and was just slowly making his way up the hill. It was 4PM and this was the best bear sighting I've ever had in broad daylight. I stood still and watched him walk up the hill until he disappeared into the manzanita. After that the trail switched back and passed just beneath the grassy place that the bear had been. I kept my eye out for him, but didn't see him again.

Great Swim

At the end of my hike, I was quite warm and dusty. I wasn't sweaty anymore, though I had broken a sweat on the first steep uphill part. I took a swim in the American River north of the bridge that I drove over to get to the trail. There are signs warning of currents, so be careful and know your limits. Make sure it is deep enough before you jump or dive in. I took three swims and lay out on the sunny rocks enjoying the warm breeze. This was definitely one of the better days.

Fine Day in Desolation Wilderness

2008-09-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Just two and a half hours drive from Vallejo, I found myself at Wrights Lake, starting a hike that I will not soon forget. Thanks to my guide book, "100 Classic Hikes in Northern California" I found hike 8 on page 28, to Grouse, Hemlock and Smith Lakes. This amazing hike is just 2.8 miles to the end at Smith Lake, but at the destination, you will find yourself completely removed from everything. It is such a remote feeling and inspiring, beautiful place. My hike was on a Thursday, and I was the only person at Smith Lake, where I lingered for an hour or so, without interruption.

Between Kyburz and Strawberry on Highway 50, Wrights Rd travels North for about 8 miles. Follow the signs to Twin Lakes trail head. Fill out a tag to let the rangers know who is on the trail, and off you go. There is no part of this trail that is not photo worthy. I filled my memory card with pictures, because I couldn't stop taking pictures. I've chosen the best for sharing.

The trail is well signposted, and most of it is sheltered by trees. Where the trail passes over granite, look for cairns. The guide book calls them rock ducks, but I've never heard that term before. The wonderful thing about this hike is that there is always a gorgeous view. If you bring a camera, bring plenty of film/memory.

Grouse Lake, which is as beautiful a lake as I have ever seen, is just 2 miles in. You could stop here and make a day of it exploring around the shores, swimming, and snoozing in the sun. I had lunch here, and took plenty of pictures. There were two other groups of people here at the time, but they didn't go further, so the rest of the time I was on my own.

The guide book says to look over your shoulder at 2.2 miles, and you can see a view back to Wrights Lake. Then Hemlock Lake is at 2.4 miles. This is a small lake, and compared to Grouse Lake, it seemed very small. But the rocky hillsides around it are amazing. Just after passing Hemlock Lake, you're still alongside it in fact, there is the most serene little meadow. I took several photos of it.

Then you scale a rocky mountainside up to Smith Lake. I had it all to myself, and I lingered for over an hour. First I explored around the rock wall that I assume is a dam. The water level wasn't up to it, and I'd like to see it in the Spring. I'll bet there are plenty of wildflowers early in the season, because I saw many here in late Summer. Then I explored up around the tree line on the Northwest side. The book says that there are views to the North, but the views are actually to the West. Smith Lake is surrounded by mountains to the North, East and South. If I had more time, I would love to have hiked to the top of this rim to see the views beyond. But I left that for another time. As I was exploring the South shore, I noticed beautifully colored fish in the water. I took some poor pictures, but noted the orange fins with a black stripe, and white on the leading edge. This identifies them as brook trout. It is very hard to find a good picture of one, most show them after they've been caught by anglers, and they look much happier in the water. These were very small, maybe five inches.

On this hike, I saw chipmunks, blue jays, robins, woodpeckers, brook trout and a marmot. Though this is bear country, I didn't see any bears or signs of them. I kept my eye out for Mountain Lions, too, but didn't see any.

This is a beautiful area, and there is so much reward for hiking such a short distance. There are also many other hikes in the area to explore, and I know I'll be back.

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

2008-05-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a hike very close to home in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. If you live in the Bay Area and haven't been here, you have to get out there to experience the amazing views. They are very easy to get to, but you can take a full day's hike if you want. Here is a Google map.

It can be a little confusing to find the trail head, so a little advice is in order. Drive up McBryde Ave. in the left lane. There will be a sign that says, for Wildcat Canyon stay in the left lane. Go straight, then look for a left turn into the staging area. There's free parking, porta potties, and a notice board with excellent free maps.

I recommend the route I took for excellent landscape and wildlife viewing opportunities, but it was a long hike. I added up the mileage when I arrived at home, and it came to 9.28 miles. There are two other options for shorter loops.

Longest Loop (9.28 miles) - Take Wildcat Creek Trail to Conlon Trail to Nimitz Way to San Pablo Ridge Trail to Belgum Trail, then back down Wildcat Creek Trail to the trail head.

Shortest Loop (5.88 miles) - Take Wildcat Creek Trail to Mezue Trail to San Pablo Ridge Trail to Belgum Trail, then back down Wildcat Creek Trail to the trail head.

Medium Loop (7.04 miles) - Take Wildcat Creek Trail to Havey Canyon Trail to Nimitz Way to San Pablo Ridge Trail to Belgum Trail, then back down Wildcat Creek Trail to the trail head.

I prefer loops, but if you prefer shorter mileage, you can simply walk in to any halfway point, then turn around and retrace your steps back to the beginning. Even a one mile hike in this park is rewarding! I saw bicycles, joggers, even women pushing trail strollers. I started my hike in the early afternoon, and it was a hot day. I recommend starting earlier in the morning, or in the evening if it is going to be a hot day. The park is open 5am to 10pm, but I saw a sign on the entrance to the staging area parking lot that made me think they closed the lot at 6pm, so that's when I planned to get out of there. It would be possible to park on city streets closeby to avoid getting locked up in the lot.

There is drinking water available at the junction of Wildcat Creek Trail and Mezue Trails. I filled up my water bottle here, but make sure to carry enough water and snacks to keep your hike enjoyable.

A Visit to John Muir National Historic Site

2008-04-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Since I live within 16 miles of John Muir's home in Martinez, California, I decided to pay it a visit on his birthday. I could have driven, but in the spirit of preserving the Earth, I rode a bike. It wasn't an easy ride. It was a beautiful sunny day, though windy, but the best bike available to me is heavy with no low end gears. That's it in the picture. Easy on the eyes, not on the hills. Not the kind of bike that you want to ride up steep hills that lie between my home in Vallejo and Martinez. There was some walking of the bike up some hills. On my way, I imagined that I would be welcomed to an ongoing party in John Muir's honor. I imagined lectures about John Muir's achievements, tours of his home and orchards, inspirational talks about the importance of protecting our public lands from exploitation and destruction. Maybe there would be cake?

When I arrived at John Muir National Historic Site I took the picture below:

Very nice scene, isn't it? The California Poppies are in bloom on the landscaping planted with natives. It is a beautiful sunny day with just a few clouds in the sky. The air is cool and the breeze is perfect for a hike in John Muir's own backyard. But wait.

Do you see that little sign on the left of the path? Let me zoom in on it for you.

Yes, that's right. The park was closed on John Muir's birthday. :)

There is irony in the fact that Highway 4, named the John Muir Parkway, now speeds past within feet of his home (see it on the map). The good news is that John Muir's legacy lives in the National Park system.

Soon, I will show you a backpacking trip to Kings Canyon, and you will be inspired to get yourselves out there to a National Park, but before you do... Be sure to check the hours.

Happy Birthday John Muir

2008-04-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

Today is John Muir's birthday, and what better day to begin the blog about hiking and backpacking that I've planned for so long? My goal is to share my love of the outdoors that I experience through hiking and backpacking. I starting backpacking when I was ten years old and joined the Boy Scouts. Our troop wasn't much on uniforms, merit badges, and attaining ranks (at least at first), but our troop leaders planned and took us on the most amazing backpacking trips. We hiked to San Jacinto, Arroyo Seco, and once a year the highlight of my year, the 9 day Sierra Trek. The Sierra Trek was a voyage into John Muir's wilderness. Every year was different, but we always backpacked about fifty miles beginning in the High Sierra, and usually ending up in Yosemite Valley. These were the best days of my life, and imprinted me with a love for the unspoiled wilderness, which I would like to share with you.

John Muir wrote, "You may be a little cold some nights, on mountain tops above the timber-line, but you will see the stars, and by and by you can sleep enough in your town bed, or at least in your grave." I agree with him completely, but with the equipment available today, it is possible to enjoy the great outdoors and remain mostly comfortable. :)

I will use this blog to write about and share pictures of my experiences, but also to share knowledge about how to plan and prepare for a trip. I will tell you what equipment you need, and recommend books that you can read to prepare and inspire you. I hope that you find this blog so interesting and useful that you bookmark it, and come back often.

In January, I quit my job. :) Boy did that feel great! I have always "worked" for a living, but I have heard it time and again, do what you love, and the money will come. I love hiking and backpacking, so I'm going to try to blog about it, and see if they money does come. To help it along, here and there, you will see ads. They should be relevant to what I'm writing about, so hopefully, you'll be curious, and click on them to support my sponsors. I will also recommend books and equipment, the purchase of which will earn me a small percentage. I will only recommend books and equipment that are excellent, and you need a good sleeping bag, tent and stove to go backpacking. If enough people find it convenient to buy these things through the product links on my blog, then I may get to keep doing this.

I also love sea kayaking, and I have a blog called Dipping and Tipping (get it?). Sea kayaking is another great way, like hiking and backpacking, to see the natural world. It is even more amazing in that the trail vanishes behind you, and you don't leave a trace. Sea kayak touring is like backpacking except that your camping equipment goes into the holds of your kayak. You can travel with a lot more, but the skills you need and the risks you take are greater. Backpacking is easier to get started, but it is not without risks. The unprepared still risk getting lost and succumbing to hypothermia, so prepare.

I will leave you with the a quote from the man of the hour. From it you may get an idea of the reason why you should try backpacking. Now, backpacking is just hiking where you stay one or more nights out in the land, but only by backpacking can you get in far enough to achieve the truly transcendent experience. When I was boy, I did not enjoy the first couple of days of a backpacking trip, mostly because my body was soft, and it was hard work to carry that heavy pack down the trail. But by the time the trip was over, I didn't want to go back! Perhaps you can relate to the similar effect experienced when you go on vacation. It takes a few days before you start to unwind.

"Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain-passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action. Even the sick should try these so-called dangerous passes, because for every unfortunate they kill, they cure a thousand."

John Muir