Mt Lola Trail

Near: Truckee
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 10 miles (low estimate)
Elevation: 6,600 - 9,100 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Surface: Dirt (and snow)
Last Visit: October 2016

It's October and the summer hiking season is coming to a close.  We headed out to Tahoe National Forest just after the first snows of the season hit the region.  We hiked Mt. Lola, an unassuming peak, just off the PCT north of the Donner Pass area.  At a bit over 9,100 feet, Mt. Lola is the highest peak between I-80 and Mt. Lassen, yet it's usually overshadowed by all the more dramatic peaks around Lake Tahoe just to the southeast.  The usual ascent from the north is a steady climb up a pleasant, but unremarkable creek drainage.  The real payoff comes at the peak with fantastic views of the spires of Castle Peak to the south, and Sierra Buttes to the north.

Big Rock Ridge (Marin)

Near: Lucas Valley
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 600 - 1,900 feet
Vegetation: Pasture
Last Trip: October 2016

Big Rock Ridge is one of the higher ridges north of Mt. Tam in the Marin county open space. This very exposed hike is mostly nothing special, and communications towers at the summit mar the climax a bit, but the views south to Mt. Tam and San Fransisco, as well as east over the San Fransisco Bay are worth the climb if you've already seen the more unique trails and vistas on Mt. Tam and around the Marin Headlands.  The climb is very steady and well graded, so this would be an excellent option for a trail run.  Mountain bikes are common too, but all dogs must be on a leash, so that would make a ride plus dog a bit awkward.

Volmer Peak Loop

Near: Berkeley
Trip Type: Trail Run
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation: 700 - 1,800 ft
Vegetation: Mostly forested with a mix of deciduous, pine and grassy meadows
Surface: Hardpack dirt

Living right next to Tilden Regional Park, I often overlook it.  Redwood Regional has better woods.  Briones has more sweeping views.  Mission Peak has more prominence.  Yet Tilden provides perhaps the best mix of shady trails, satisfying climbs and well-placed views from Mt Diablo to the Golden Gate.  I usually just run up to Lake Anza or Grizzly Peak ridge from Berkeley, but for a full day hike or satisfying run entirely on trails, start from lake Anza and take a loop around the upper section of Wildcat Caynon

Mission Peak

Near: Freemont
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation: 400 - 2500 ft
Vegetation: Pasture
Surface: Dirt
Last Visit: Sometime in 2014

Mission Peak Regional Preserve is no pristine wilderness.  It's yet-another-East-Bay-dirt-road-grass-and-cows experience.  Still, its proximity to Bay Area population centers and its satisfying prominence make it worth a visit when you're in the mood for a substantial climb, but not a substantial drive.   It's also the far western terminus of the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, so this is the place to start if you want to go on a 28-mile trek into the East Bay hills with several thousand feet of climbing.  Personally, if I'm going to do that much work, the Sierras or Trinity Alps better be involved, but if you live in the SF Bay and want to go backpacking with a dog on a strict carbon-footprint budget, then the Ohlone is the trail for you.

Rodeo Beach, Wolf Ridge Loop, and Costal Trail from Muir Beach

Near: Sausalito
Trip Type: Hike
Length: 5 miles
Elevation: 0 - 800 ft
Vegetation: Coastal scrub
Surface: Paved and dirt
Last Visit: 8/20/16

Rodeo Beach and Muir Beach are some of the most scenic beaches north of San Francisco and both are dog friendly and the trails around these beaches are the nicest of the few dog friendly options in the Marin headlands.  The most natural circuit is to climb up and around "hill 88" above Rodeo beach and explore the old WWII fortifications guarding the Golden Gate (voice control OK on this loop).  For the best sweeping ocean views, start at Muir Beach and hike south along the Costal Trail (leash required).

Tells Peak

Near: Placerville/Hwy 50
Trip Type: Hike
Length: 11 Miles
Elevation: 6,500 ft - 8,900 ft
Vegetation: Forest and Meadows
Surface: Dirt
Last Trip: 8/13/16

Last weekend we wanted to find a dark spot to watch the Perseid meteor shower, so we headed up to Loon Lake campground west of Lake Tahoe.  After watching the stars on Friday night, we spent Sunday hiking up to Tells Peak.  A modest peak compared to many of it's neighbors, Tells Peak nevertheless makes a satisfying day hike capped with spectacular views.  The trail is mostly easy to follow, but the higher bits require a bit more attention to follow a cairn chain to the ridge.  So most hikers will find the navigation no challenge, but it's not the best trail to let your mind drift absently.

Redwood Regional Park

Near: Oakland
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation: 500 - 1,000 ft
Vegetation: Redwood Forest
Last Trip: August 2018

On warm summer days, Redwood Regional Park offers some the coolest most shaded paths in the East Bay.  It's not quite Muir Woods, but the park has several nice stands of relatively mature redwoods.  In particular the stream trail along the creek in the deep central valley of the park and the french trail along the southwest slope of that valley are almost entirely covered in redwoods.  On balance this park might be the best place in the state to get your fill of these stately trees with a dog.