Sunday, December 17, 2017

Jackass Lakes

Near: Oakhurst
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: 8 Miles
Elevation: 7,000 - 9,200 ft
Vegetation: Pine Forest to Moonscape
Last Visit: 11/25/17



**Note: the Ansel Adams Wilderness was heavily impacted by the Creek Fire of 2020.  Check the Sierra National Forest website for up to date information on trail closures.**

It was that awkward time in late fall when there's enough snow at higher elevations to make following the trail near impossible, but not enough at lower elevations to go right into ski season.  Poking around on some NOAA snow depth maps, it looked like there was a relative dearth of snow in the far western corner of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, so we resolved to take a trip out there on Thanksgiving weekend.  We decided to hike up to the Jackass Lakes on the southeast side of Madera Peak. As usual Ansel Adams did not disappoint.

At 10,500 feet Madera peak is not particularly outstanding as a high Sierra summit, but it sits on the western edge of a large basin drained by the San Joaquin River. From its eastern slopes you therefore have an unobstructed view across this basin to a dramatic panorama of high Sierra peaks stretching from Mt Ritter and the Minerets in the north to the head of of the Evolution Valley in Kings Canyon to the south.  That's about 50 of some of the most dramatic miles of the Pacific Crest.   This is a view that must be taken in with the human eye to be fully appreciated.  The pictures included in this post are an even more pathetic representation of the real experience than usual.  We didn't have enough daylight to try for the peak, but it looks eminently hikable and should offer further views into Yosemite National Park to the north as well.   A return trip in Summer is on the to-do list for sure.

The only down side to this hike is the trail is a bit sketchy at points and only indicated with tiny cairns here and there.  We were able to find it OK most of the way, but I felt better having a topo map loaded up on my cell in case we needed it.  I very much recommend Backcountry Navigator as cheap emergency off-line GPS option.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Carr Lake to Glacier Lake

Near: Yuba Pass
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: 11 Miles
Elevation: 6,700 - 7,600 ft
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: 9/24/17



Recently Lori was nursing a sore hip and we went looking for some nice mountain scenery that we didn't have to climb much for.  The Round Lake and Glacier Lakes trails fit the bill.  With only a few hundred feet of climb, the Round Lake trail runs by or near five small alpine lakes in just a few miles.  Lori was doing OK, so we ended up extending all the way to Glacier Lake for a respectable distance and climb in the end but it was nice to have such a scenic easy option.  I think this area would be a great place for an intro backpacking trip, as it's got lots of picturesque camping spots that are attainable without much climb and manages to feel satisfyingly remote even though it's just a short drive from I-80.


Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Shirley Canyon Trail

Near: Tahoe City
Trip Type: Day Hike
Length: 8 miles
Elevation: 6,300 to 8,800 feet
Vegetation: Forest to open ski slope
Last Visit: Mid October, 2017


Olympic Valley from some open slabs of granite on the Shirely Canyon Trail 
This hike was actually a hilariously botched attempt to hike Granite Chief via the Granite Chief Trail with an inadequate map.   We ended up fumbling across an ambiguous set of use trails along a creek and emerging on to a marked trail we didn't know existed.  By the time we realized we weren't on the trail we wanted, we were well up Shirley Canyon trail and enjoying it enough that we just kept going.  This trail climbs along a pleasant creek with lots of pools and cascades, climbs some open rock slaps under granite cliffs and emerges at a large pond on the edge of ski area.  Following some access roads up the ridge takes you to Emigrant Peak.  From there a loop back down the Granite Chief Trail is possible.  For most of the hike a ridge to the south hides the unsightliness of the nearby questionably named ski area, making the hike much more pleasant than a casual look at the map suggests.


Sunday, November 19, 2017

Montara State Beach to North Peak

Near: Pacifica
Elevation: 0-1900 ft
Surface: Old Pavement/Dirt
Distance: 9 miles
Vegetation: Costal Shrub
Last Visit: 11/19/17


Montara State Beach and McNee Ranch are rare California State Parks that allow you to bring a dog on the trail, provided you keep them leashed.  McNee Ranch is dominated by the 1900 foot Montara Mountain.  The summit area is a bit anticlimactic, as its a cluster of minor peaks with very similar elevations and some communications equipment on the highest two peaks.   The mountain is almost entirely covered in  low coastal shrub, so the less than stellar summit is more than made up for by the sweeping views afforded along the trail.  The best sections are the lower western ridge (which affords great views for whale watching) and the upper trail just below the peaks (which has open views to the north from the Farallon Islands to the San Francisco bay).  January and March are the best times for spotting grey whales, though we got lucky on our last trip in November.  March is particularly good for spotting mothers and young calves heading north.  Remember your binoculars if you've got em.  I was kicking myself for leaving them at home.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Twin Knolls via Cataract Falls

Near: Fairfax
Trip Type: Day Hike
Length: 8-9 miles
Elevation: 700 to 1900 feet
Vegetation: Forest and fern
Last Visit: 11/11/17



The sprawling network of trails open to dogs in the Mt Tamalpais Watershed are great, but they can be a bit frustrating in how close they come to stunning views, while mostly keeping them just out of reach.  The Cataract Creek Trail is one of most popular trails in the watershed, climbing up a lush canyon full ferns and modest cascades.  A couple of quick detours off the trail adds some of the best views in the watershed.  All around, this is my favorite hike on Mt. Tam so far open to dogs.  It's best hiked between rains in the winter season when the cascades are flowing nicely.  The pictures that follow are from an early-season hike in November, so the water was a bit lower than optimal.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Quarry Trail

Near: Auburn
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation: 500 - 700 feet
Vegetation: Scrub and deciduous forest
Last Visit: 11/5/17


The Middle Fork American River from the Quarry Trail.

Lori's coming back from an injury and we're keeping steep climbs to a minimum on our hikes lately.  We decided this would be a good time to check out some of the trails along the American River near Auburn.  We followed the Quarry Trail up the Middle Fork American River from near its confluence with the North Fork American River.  We went about 4 miles up near Brown's Bar, but you can continue as far as Poverty Bar (5 miles up) keeping close to the river at the base of a deep canyon.   The first mile is extremely flat and wide.  After that the road is more rolling and progressively deteriorates into single track.  Along the way you pass some remnants of an old limestone mine, now a popular climbing spot.  A great light hike on a cool autumn day. 

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Mt. McLoughlin (Oregon)

Near: Medford Oregon
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 8.5 Miles
Elevation: 5,600 to 9,500 ft
Vegetation: Pine Forest to Moonscape
Last Visit: August 2017


Presto lounges at the McLoughlin summit.
Mt. McLoughlin towers over Medford, Oregon just north of the California boarder.  We hiked it as a side trip to break up the drive on the way the 2017 eclipse in the Bend area.  It made for an unexpectedly nice hike with a fantastic summit.  It's really two very different hikes in one.  The first two miles are a gentle 1,000 foot climb in deep forest.  The second two miles are an aggressive 3,000 foot ascent first to a prominent ridge, then up an increasingly exposed ridge of crumbling volcanic rock.  High up there were some sections of crumbling rock and/or volcanic sands that require sure-footedness.  We saw several dogs on the trail, but Presto was the only one we know made the peak.  The steepness of some sections together with the rough footing may be a little much for some dogs (and humans). No climbing or scrambling is required, though, it's just a relatively challenging walk-up.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Old Ski Bowl on Mt Shasta

Near: Mt. Shasta
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation: 7,800 to 9,500 feet
Vegetation: Moonscape
Last visit: 8/12/17



On our way to Oregon for the Great American Eclipse of 2017, we took a short hike up the Old Ski Bowl on Mt Shasta.  This turned out to be surprisingly fun and relatively easy hike.  One main trail (an old road really) and a few alternative routes wind up the now abandoned ski slope on the southwest flank of Mt. Shasta.  It's the only place on the mountain proper that isn't in the Mt Shasta Wilderness, and thus the only place open to dogs.  Right out of the gate you ascend into a barren alpine landscape with great views of Mt Shasta towering above your, and the Trinity Alps below to the southwest.  On this trip we meandered up to western ridge above Green Butte.


Sunday, August 27, 2017

Kaiser Peak via College Rock

Near: Fresno
Trip type: Hike
Distance: ~10 miles
Elevation: 7,200 - 10,300 feet
Vegetation: Thick pine forest to moonscape
Last Visit: 7/22/17

Huntington Lake from College Rock

**Note: the Huntington Lake area was heavily impacted by the Creek Fire of 2020.  Check the Sierra National Forest website for up to date information on trail closures.**

 

Sitting about half-way between Yosemite and Kings Canyon national parks, Kaiser Peak towers 3,000 feet over its immediate surroundings.  It's a bit south of our usual range, but we were camping at Huntington Lake right at the mountain's base for a Nav-X challenge race the day before and despite our sore legs we couldn't resist hitting this summit. Boy were we glad we did.  The summit panorama of the High Sierra to the east was truly one the best views we've had in California.  Had there not been a serious wildfire off to the northwest, we would have had a great view of the central valley, as well. College Rock, halfway up, provides a natural snack spot with fantastic view of Huntington lake too and would make a satisfying enough destination in and of it's self.  Make sure to bring plenty of water on this hike and watch your dog for heat stress.  It's partially shaded most of the way and we benefitted from still running meltwater streams in late July, but that was an unusual benefit of our extra-snowy winter in 2016-2017.  Often this route will be quite dry and the southern exposure means you'll get plenty of warm rays.


Sunday, July 9, 2017

Martis Lookout

Near: Tahoe City
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation: 7,000 to 8,700 feet
Vegetation: Pine forest




Martis Peak fire lookout is an easily accessable spot for fine veiws of Lake Tahoe.  In late summer, a narrow but paved road gives access to a trailhead less than a mile from the lookout.  So you can pop out for a quick view, or use it as an appetizer for a full day-hike further up the Tahoe Rim Trail to Mt. Baldy to the east.  In the winter, the road should provide a nice ski route up the the lookout.

When we visited after a bomber snow year in 2017 there was still lots of snow over 6,000 feet in early June, keeping the road closed for a few more weeks.  So we took the Tahoe Rim Trail, which parallels the Martis Peak road up from Brockaway Summit on CA267.   We were hoping the south-facing aspect of the trail would have sped the snow melt enough that we'd only have to spend a litte bit of time playing find-the-trail.  Alas, the snow remained quite deep on all aspects above 7,500 feet and we ended up getting shunted off the TRT onto a more easily followed fire trail.  We made it, but I would suggest following the Martis Peak Road when trail isn't appparent because even our fire road petered out near the summit.   Also note that at just 1 mile east of Brockaway Summit, a spur trail leads to a great lookout spot over lake.  At about 500 feet of climb this spot would make for great easy hike for small kids or a group without a whole afternoon to spare.


Friday, April 28, 2017

Blithedale Ridge

Near: Mill Valley
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 200 - 900 feet
Vegetation: Oak and Redwood
Last visit: 4/16/2017




Blithedale Ridge is the easternmost piece of the Marin county open spaces surrounding Mt. Tamalpais.  We took a light hike up to the highpoint on a rainy April Sunday.   I've seen this ridge from Mt. Tam plenty of times, so I know it's got several open spots with clear views of the mountain and surrounding towns, but they weren't in evidence for us.  While we were just out for a short jaunt, you could always use the trails and fireroads in this area for a jumping off point to climb Mt. Tam from the northeast, with routes running around 10-15 miles round trip.


Monday, April 10, 2017

Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park

Near: Hayward
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 100 - 1200 ft
Last visit: March 2017




Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park is another grassy collection of East Bay hills.  There's not much unique about it, but it does provide some nice views of the south bay and a satisfying hill climb to see it.


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Harvey Bear Ranch

Near: Gilroy
Trip type: Trail Run
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 800 - 1,300 feet
Vegetation: Pasture with some oak and pine forest
Last visit: March 2017




Harvey Bear Ranch County Park sits on a low ridge overlooking Gilroy.  This loop circles over Mummy Mountain, a rise on the southern end of the ridge.  Most of the park is open pasture land.  The open western slope of the ridge offers long views towards Gilroy, but I preferred the more wooded eastern slope overlooking Coyote Lake.


Monday, February 6, 2017

Hope Valley Cross Country : Waterdog

Near: South Lake Tahoe
Trip Type: Cross-country Ski
Elevation: 7,000 - 8,000 ft
Distance: 8 miles
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: 1/14/17


Hope Valley Cross Country center is at Pickett's Junction, where Hwy 88 meets Hwy 89 just east of Carson Pass.  It's a small-time affair with limited grooming (classic skiing only) and ski and snowshoe rentals run out of a Yurt.  Prices are great ($25 for a daily ski package, $10 per car suggested donation for folks brining their own skis).  The big attraction for me at Hope Valley is that it's the best place I've found so far for an easy back country ski experience in California.  Since most trails in the Sierra aren't marked, finding your way in the winter can be a chore.  At Hope Valley there are a mix of groomed and marked, but un-groomed trails on old roads and hiking routes around the valley.  The routes are generally easy to follow, even if the markers are a bit sparse.  It's more like skiing in the woods out east (where they believe in marking hiking trails) than at a typical cross country ski center.  This post is specifically for part of their trail system that winds up a minor ridgeline east of CA-89 on the north side of CA-88.


Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake

Near: South Lake Tahoe
Trip Type: Cross Country Ski
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation: 7,000 - 8,600 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: Jan 28, 2017




Spooner Lake is just a big pond really, on the East side of Lake Tahoe.  A short, flat trail around the lake makes for a nice light walk or ski in the winter.  For a bigger day, take the North Canyon Road towards Marlette Lake.  The road follows a gently climbing stream up a small valley to a saddle point overlooking the lake.  From there you can descend to the lake, but detoured west to a rocky outcropping with outstanding views of Lake Tahoe.  The climb on this route is more appropriate for intermediate to advanced cross-country skiers, but novices might find a trip up the lower portions of North Canyon Road a fun challenge.  There have been sporadic efforts to groom a trail around the lake and up North Canyon Road for classic and skate-skiing of late, but this time no grooming was in evidence. Striding skis were required and I was glad I was wearing BC gear when we had to break trail in the upper portions of the route.