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Armstrong Woods in Sonoma County is also fantastic and often less crowded than Muir woods. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/armstrong-redwoods-state-reserve

It's also close to Pomo Canyon trail, which is right on the coast. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pomo-canyon-red-hill-trail

The Sutter Buttes have great views. Lassen is not far away. Lots in the hills above Chico: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/us/california/chico

I was going to suggest Loch Leven Lakes but the elevation is 10,748′... probably still pretty snowy. Here are some recent reviews: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/loch-leven-lakes-trail

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It might get pretty warm, but you could always do Henry W. Coe State Park. Lots of backpacking there and definitely no snow.

If you can't find a camp option, my recommendation would be to do a full day loop. Check out this incredible loop from Stinson Beach to Mt Tam. FWIW there's water available at Pantoll Campground. The campgrounds themselves are closed but you can park there (or at Stinson Beach).

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/stinson-beach-to-mount-tamalpais

The area north of Lake Spaulding has a ton of lakes and trails. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sand-ridge-and-the-five-lakes-basin

Elevation is relatively low so it’ll probably be mostly snow free by now. Anyone know for sure?

Skyline to The Sea Trail near Santa Cruz. You can do it in 3 days backpacking from Castle Rock—>Waterman’s Gap—>Big Basin/Jay—> Waddell Beach. It’s a through hike but it’s possible to do it through public transportation and two short uber/taxi rides from SF if you want. It’s not quite as majestic as Lost Coast (doesn’t have water views until the end) but sticks to ridges most of the way with great vistas, tons of redwoods, waterfalls, etc. Solid camping with water in small 6 site backpacker only campgrounds. Privacy is pretty good in most. Hiking is pretty easy, flat or up and down with 8-10 miles/day. You do need reservations to camp everywhere but Castle Rock but they’re generally not too booked. I just did it this weekend, feel free to PM if you have questions.

We did 3D 2N from Lightning TR down Rattlesnake and ended up just going back up Kinsey once it started raining. We saw a group of 4 and two solos. Temps were great and the weather the fist 2 days was fantastic. Ended up hiking 17 miles out in the rain.

Hike out

I always see the Asa Bean trail but I stick to Traveller's home trail which has some nice camp spots along the way tot the river. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/travelers-home-trail

My wife and I hiked Bassi Falls 2 weekends ago, then found a spot to camp just off Ice House Road.

We slept in our car but there was plenty of spots to put out a tent. We weren't anywhere near anyone else. I saw a few other people doing the same thing at different spots on the road. There's hundreds of miles of road up there so you'll have no problem finding a place to camp.

The hike had a decent number of people on it, but everyone was distancing and I doubt we got within 15ft of anyone. Definitely more comfortable than walking around our neighborhood, but use your best judgement. Plenty of other much less popular hikes in the area as well.

How many miles per day are you looking to do? The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is fantastic in the spring. Easily done in 3 days, but with side trail exploring could be a fun 4 day. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/ohlone-wilderness-trail

I recommend the Steep Ravine - Matt Davis loop out of Stinson Beach. A great sampler of the nature in the area. Cute beach town to start/end your trip, redwood forests with creeks and small waterfalls, oak forest, grassy hills, beautiful vistas.

If you want a good day hike at Point Reyes, I suggest the Woodward Valley Trail Loop. When you finish, walk the 1/2-mile Earthquake Trail across the parking lot and check out the displaced fence which shows how far the enter Point Reyes peninsula moved during the 1906 earthquake. Point Reyes is one of my favorite places, hope you can check it out!

Take the trip up to Feather Falls. Find the trail that leads behind the falls and set up in one of the many excellent spots.

It's a 2hr drive

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/feather-falls-loop-trail

If you haven't stumbled across it yet, here's my trip report website: http://www.fedak.net/backcountry.html

A large percentage of that stuff is within your driving radius.

And on a closer look, your link above isn't my preferred Mitchell Canyon route. Try this one: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2124007

Went to Usal Beach (Sinkyone Wilderness) 2 weeks ago and did the south end of the Lost Coast trail. Trail is stupid overgrown but its backpacking, you can camp and you can have a stove.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lost-coast-trail-usal-to-wheeler-camp

When I lived in the bay area I used to like some sort of variation of this one in marin: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/fox-coastal-tennessee-valley-wolf-ridge-miwok-and-old-springs-loop

You could also make it shorter by just taking the Tennessee Valley Trail back to the trailhead instead of looping back via Hill 88.

By the way, I ended up doing a solo 3-4 day backpacking trip to Henry Coe shortly before the lockdown started based on your suggestion. Had an amazing time doing the Bear Springs Loop and spending some time by Mississippi Lake. Just wanted to say thanks. :)

From 6 days ago:

>Excellent experience the weekend of 6/15: we only did the first 3 tunnels because I got too cold for my attire. There were a couple patches of snow and the first lookout midway through tunnel 3 was a bit slick to try and get to (watched multiple people slip on to their butts, but everyone was smiling) The melting snow made fun waterfalls in and out of tunnels, and on top of graffiti. I would suggest to get this fun experience that you wear waterproof shoes (or just prepare to walk with wet ones, which doesn’t bother me) but to also wear a LIGHT RAIN JACKET. As long as you have that it’s a fantastic stroll along the ridge above Donner. I’d love to go back and do it again with my rain jacket so I can get farther! I think the melting snow is an huge factor in the fun and uniqueness of this hike! - https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/historic-donner-pass-trail

it's a bit further than you suggested in your OP, but it sounds like you're open to western sierras trips.

this will be a nice spot. hopefully not too busy, but if it is, there's lots of alternative options nearby.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/shealor-lake-trail--2

I have only heard of people mountain biking the Coast Ridge Road, and I'm not sure about the water situation. Just went down to Big Sur and it is hot. The road is very exposed but you have amazing views inland and of the coast. I'm also pretty sure it won't have many people on the trail. Not sure about permits.

2 1/2 to 3 hrs to the coast but 1 hour to the rubicon which is in the mountains and has some amazing views.

I would suggest car camping at the beginning of the 4x4 trail and day hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/rubicon-trail

It really depends on your location in Yolo County -- I'm in Davis, so right on 80, which cuts the time way down -- but if you can stretch the hour slightly, there's some fantastic trails on the western side of the Sierra that are within maybe 1h20. That'd get you to most of the trails in the Auburn State Rec Area, as well as some great trails like Loch Leven Lakes in the Tahoe National Forest (and only a little further from others around Castle Peak).

Not to say the trails around Berryessa aren't good, just very different.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kennedy-lake-trail

I've never done this trail, but I've done the Emigrant before and it's awesome. My go-to for last minute, no-permit camping. Sounds like snow isn't an issue, but mud will be.

I've only done the Canyon Creek Lakes Trail, and it seems like a perfect fit for what your looking for. It's a popular trail with lots to see, and it's 14 miles there and back. The trail follow a creek with some great waterfalls. There is a section of switchback, but I don't think they were too intense. My group got to the trail head pretty late, so we decided to camp halfway up the trail. Take a look at it, I really think you might like it. It was one of the better spots I've been.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/canyon-creek-lakes-trail

I went through Balconies Cave. Definitely more sketchy than I expected, but I loved it. Such an awesome park and trail (I'm beat). Some dude there recommended I hike Cone Peak, and it sounded exciting.

Is this the same loop you're talking about at Mt Diablo?

Big redwoods and lots of water eh? It looks nice.. the trail site quotes "best hike in the Bay Area".

Also - if you had to recommend one trail for Yosemite this time of year, which would it be?

Just got back from a 2 night backpacking trip at Little Lakes Valley, half an hour south of Mammoth. There were other backpackers/daytrippers with dogs. Beautiful place if you are okay with the drive (about 5 hours from Sacramento).

We stayed at Gem Lakes, toward the end of the trail and pretty much had an entire "island" to ourselves, surrounded by 3 lakes.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/little-lakes-valley

Check out my book!

https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Trails-East-Bay-Berkeley/dp/1680512560/ref=nodl_

Green hikes in the East Bay can be hard to find right now but try:

Dimond Park and Huckleberry Regional Botanic Preserve right now.

Make sure to do Dimond Park before the first rain comes. You walk through a creek bed on that one and it gets wet when the rainy season starts.

Lmk if you need more info!

One Night Wilderness is a great resource with lots of great ideas for beginner backpacking in the Bay. The closest one to you is in Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. There are only a few sites, but they tend to be less popular than other designated sites in the Bay Area so are more likely to be available especially on weekdays. I believe it’s only 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the camp site, so you can make a base camp and explore without carrying your gear, which is nice for a beginner. Enjoy!

This is geared towards backpacking, but all of the hikes are doable in some way or another as day hikes

https://www.amazon.com/One-Night-Wilderness-Convenient-Backpacking/dp/0899976239

Lots of recs for getting away without actually leaving the area

Mount Diablo Grand Loop, it was hella foggy for most of the drive but we got above the clouds about a mile from Juniper Campground.

Check out my activity on AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-c2e7b5b--43?p=-1

Check out my activity on AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/mount-tam-shit-start-e7acfd7?p=-1

Attached below are 2 routes I’ve done for sunrise, you can’t start from a parking lot because they won’t be accessible early enough in the morning.

Check out my activity on AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/mount-tam-shit-start-e7acfd7?p=-1

Check out my activity on AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-c2e7b5b--43?p=-1

If you are looking for something short, try the Mount Whitney Mountaineer's Route when it reopens (permit required). If you are looking for something longer, try the Sierra High Route when sections reopen (wilderness permit required for some sections).

Zenfel works! Recently found out Extreme Green is the same thing, but much cheaper.

It really comes down to THIS though: SCRUB SCRUB SCRUB like you're trying to clean off auto grease!

Traveler's Home was my go to but when I checked on AllTrails, I guess it got overgrown. I would try it since I have done it 5 times before but for a noob it might be tough to find the trail. I love the Eel River. You can drive to Howard Lake but it iwll be more crowded.

Man, have I got a trip for you: Kirk Creek to Vicente Flat. It’s in Big Sur off Highway 1, just north of Plaskett Creek, and is about 3.5 hrs from SF and 4.5 hrs from Santa Monica. The drive is gorgeous, expansive views of the coast on the hike up, and the campground is a large redwood grove. No permits needed.

I was referring to the loop just slightly west of the one you did, it shares part of the same path that you did, but I think the appeal is that you can easily stretch it out to hit more lakes.

I haven't done either of these loops , but have done a couple trips in the same area, and am planning a loop there later in the year

here is a link to the alltrails route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/emigrant-wilderness-loop-trail?p=-1

Hi, I'm following up to say that I ended up visiting Ventana Wilderness a couple weeks ago in part from your suggestion. I hiked to Pine Falls from China Camp Campground, and camped someplace in between. Met with the expected overgrown/poison oak trails, but otherwise had a spectacular couple days in the wilderness. Just wanted to say thank you. :)

I was thinking of starting in Calistoga, hiking up Oat Hill Mine Trail to Palisades Trail to Table Rock Trail to Stevenson Memorial Trail to Mount Saint Helena Trail. But now that I check into it, the total distance is 14-1/2 miles one way, with 7286 feet of climb (according to AllTrails). More than what OP was asking for. And more than what I've done in a single hike. (I hiked the upper portion, above the Mount Saint Helena Trailhead, separately from the lower portion, from the Oat Hill Mine Trailhead.) But OP might be interested in the lower portion by itself. It's 9.9 miles one way with 5187 feet elevation gain. AllTrails rates it as "hard" and as 4-1/2 stars. See Table Rock and Palisades Trail to Oat Hill Mine.

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https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/recording-jun-05-01-32-pm-878a065

They have pictures on their recording and go off trail. There is a layer you can add to Alltrails of where the photo was taken. The plane would be right about here: 38.914302, -120.329530 (38°54'51.5"N 120°19'46.3"W). Maybe you can see the wreckage on Google Maps. There is something there, but it might be a rock

> Ventana wilderness

Thanks, that's quite close! Any trails you recommend in the 25+ range? The Bear Springs Loop looks fun, perhaps combined with an extra day hike in the middle. I'll look into getting permits.. maybe we'll get to see wildflowers too!

it's been bone dry everywhere i've been watching the weather report for.

although, kirkwood has snow in the forecast for sat night/sunday morning. if that holds out to be true, then you might be in luck. lots of easy hikes in that area.

i did a january trip to Shealor Lake a few years ago and had a blast camping and hiking around the lake. short hike in, not too much elevation change. we had the place to ourselves.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/shealor-lake-trail--2

Super easy and not exactly wilderness but Lam Wutah to Nevada Beach was surprisingly nice. There’s plenty of other little trails you can connect for extra mileage and I imagine it will be well worn in the snow but is flat so you should have no problem if not. Meadows, trees, and a beach.

I was planning on a trip last week but changed plans suddenly. Our trip was supposed to be from lake to lake.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/eagle-falls-trailhead-to-middle-velma-lake-to-dicks-lake-to-suzie-lake

> Sword lake in Carson Iceberg

Man that looks awesome. Recent reports say that the road in is closed, and that a fire came through last year. I wonder what it looks like up there now.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sword-lake-trail

Oops I misspoke, I apologize.

It looks like it would be Upper Twin Lake: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/twin-lakes--2

There are multiple trailhead starting points. The one that starts lower requires more elevation gain and would be tougher. There's another trailhead that's further up the road that is easier. Let me see if I can find it...

All very cool. Around Bowman, these lakes look interesting, but man the reviews say we aren't doing a good job packing all our sh*t out.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/crooked-lakes-trail

"The Sierras" is pretty vast range, you might want to be more specific. I can tell that you you can access Spaulding Lake Trail from just below Fuller Lake and there is nominimal snow all the way up to the Eagle Lakes Trail. By your target date you would probably be able to make it up to Beyers Lakes. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/spaulding-lake-trail

Get a can of Halt! Dog Repellant and give the owner one and only one warning then let the dog have it, then the owner if they get out of line and aggressive. There's a reason every single USPS mailman carries it.

We're deciding between these two routes, although if you have any recommendations (especially given this weather) I'd really appreciate it.

1. Kirk Creek, Vicente Flats, Gamboa
2. Buckeye, Cruikshank, Salmon Creek

So from what I understand, by the time we start our trip the storm will have passed (what the rangers told me), however there is still potential for some fast gusts of wind and flash flooding around waterways. Currently, the weather forecast looks pretty good (https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USCA0099:1:US). I'll just assume all rivers/creeks are impassable post-storm. What would be your recommendation for us?

I'm not from the area (traveling from east coast) so I'd really appreciate your input as to whether or not it's even doable or if we're just being way too optimistic.

We didn’t use snowshoes. Here’s my recording. Don’t mind the last mile and so returning back down, we veered off trail lol it was dark and we followed wrong trail someone created. By the time we noticed we just went all the way around lol

Check out my activity on AllTrails. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/ralston-winter-is-here

The best hike nearby is the Gianelli’s Cabin trailhead- a long bumpy drive but any car will make it to the trailhead. The vistas across to the Dardanelles are spectacular and are a short hike in from the start to a great overlook. Trail continues to some pretty lakes with some different options for distance so check some maps to plan your length hike. This time of year thunderstorms or even snow is possible so be prepared.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/gianelli-trail-to-chewing-gum-lake

Thank you. For sure will try to be there before 730. We also were recommended the eagle lake loop.. looks like a good one nighter.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/backpacking-in-desolation-wilderness

Bug protection yes thank you. Could be a trip changer.

Alltrails says it's 5.1 mile hike if you include Round Top- thought it was shorter than that! But if you just do Woods Lake to Lake Winnemuca, or even Carson Pass to Lake Winnemuca, it's much shorter.

We always hike in from the campground. If you are looking for solitude, try the north wilderness trail. Or, if you are really into it, hike the Pig Fence.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/pinnacles-pig-fence

There's the Trial to the Sea in Big Bason you can adjust your starting point to decrease or increase your hike but the 'standard' is usually 32 miles over a few days. Right now would be the perfect time for it. Here are some links:

http://www.bigbasin.org/backpacking.html http://www.everytrail.com/guide/skyline-to-the-sea-trail

This is built to trickle charge a car battery, but perhaps the company makes one that does phone/camera batteries. Or maybe you could get a cigarette lighter to USB adapter. It worked out absolutely perfectly for my car (whose alternator was out til I got it fixed).

I'm a pretty serious naturalist, and imo you can't really learn from an app. Sure, it might tell you what you;re looking at (if it's not wrong). But that doesn't teach you to distinguish different plants or animals. The best way to learn your plants and animals is to flip through a field guide comparing your mental image (or what you're looking at) to what's in the book. Not only will you be able to identify what you're seeing, but you'll also learn all the similar species that you pass by when you're looking things up. Soon enough, you'll pick up on what features you need to pay attention to distinguish different species or families.

You don't need to carry a metric ton of field guides around. There are some really excellent small books.

This small book has all the trees you'll see in California and is tiny: https://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Coast-Tree-Finder-Identifying/dp/0912550066

The same publisher has flower and bird guides for the west coast.

Get yourself a vive using my affiliated link below. Some good games to help you overcome your fear of heights.

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That site is some of the best info I know of on the area. But I’m not sure which fly shop you’d hit for advice. Unfortunately in my experience, the shops in Sac don’t know much of anything about any backcountry spots nearby that you can’t reach via a paid pack trip. Generally, most fly fisherman are an older and/or lazy bunch, so it can be hard to find good beta on backcountry rivers and streams. I’ve usually gotten just standard advice for fishing alpine lakes and nothing specific for my target waters. Sinking line or poly leader, midges, wooly buggers or other baitfish- imitation streamers, fish to structure, etc.

I’ve also been meaning to pick up this book. It’s old, but probably still contains the most useful/relevant info on the area.

Maybe check out this book

https://www.amazon.com/One-Night-Wilderness-Convenient-Backpacking/dp/0899976239/ref=sr_1_1

Lots of good suggestions in there, all in driving distance of the bay area, really great for beginners.