Pacific Valley to Bull Run Peak

Near: Ebbetts Pass
Trip Type: Hike
Elevation: 7500 - 9500 ft
Surface: Dirt and some loose scree
Distance: 6.5 miles
Vegetation: Forest and Meadow

Last Hiked: August 2015


We were trying to find a campsite at Lake Alpine to swim and watch the Perseids, but we were a bit slow getting out there and predictably it was packed.  We decided to try heading a bit further up Rt 4 and were well rewarded when we stopped at Pacific Valley.  No lake, but it's a very pleasant and less crowded campsite with some friendly local horses and open fields for excellent stargazing.  Directly from the campsite you can hike up the broad gentle valley, then more steeply up Bull Run Peak, or Peep Site Peak.

Bolinas Ridge Road

Near: Marin
Trip Type: Hike or Trail Run
Elevation: 350 - 1650 ft
Distance: 11 miles (one way), 10 miles (from north to picnic bench), or 12 miles (from south to picnic bench)
Surface: Dirt
Vegetation: Pasture (north section) and Forest (south section)

Last Visited in June 2014


Bolinas Ridge is one of the few trails you can take dogs on within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Note a leash is required though.  This route actually comprises two very distinct trips. The north half is a steady (though not steep) climb in open pasture.  The south half is rolling ramble mostly through thick woods.

Sand Flat Road

Near: Mt Shasta
Trip Type: XC-Ski
Elevation: 6800 ft
Distance: ~ 2 mi
Surface: Snow
Vegetation: Forest

Last Visited Feb 2015

Sand Flat is gently graded shelf on the shoulder of Mt. Shasta.  It's nothing special, but in February 2015 there was effectively no snow in the Lake Tahoe Area and it seemed there might not be a chance to XC-ski there until the next year.  It felt like it might never snow again.  So when we heard there was a bit of snow on Mt. Shasta, we headed up to Sand Flat and got our snow fix.  Sand Flat Road makes a short loop out and back from Everitt Memorial Highway.  Near Sand Flat its self is a the Sand Flat Trailhead, the start of a marked trail up the mountain towards Bunny Flat.  We didn't explore very far up this trail (maybe a mile?), so I'm not sure how far its skiable, but even just going a short way up you can find some minor ridges with nice views to the south.

Mt. Eddy

Near: Mt. Shasta
Trip Type: Hike
Elevation: 6800 - 9000 ft
Distance: 11 miles
Surface: Dirt with some rocky sections
Vegetation: Sparse Forest

Last Visited: July 2015


Just across I-5 from Mt. Shasta, Mt. Eddy is one of the highest peaks in the Shasta-Trinity national forest.

Castle Lake to Heart Lake

Near: Mt Shasta
Elevation: 5400 - 6000 (Heart Lake) or 6600 ft (Overlook)
Distance: 2 miles (Heart Lake) or 3 miles (Overlook)
Vegetation: Forest
Last Visit: February 2015

Castle Lake is a lovely alpine lake situated in a small valley just north and west of the Castle Crags and across I-5 from Mt. Shasta.   This hike follows an established trail from Castle Lake to Heart Lake (a smaller, higher lake), then takes a short cross country climb to a nearby highpoint on the ridge, about 600 feet above Heart Lake.  Some nice views down over Castle Lake can be head from minor high points right around Heart Lake, and from the hight of the ridge, there are some excellent views of Mt Shasta, the Castle Crags, and the Trinity Alps.

If you driven up I-5 near Mt. Shasta, you've probably noticed the Castle Crags, which appear as a dramatic cluster of spires looming above the highway to your left as you approach Mt. Shasta from the south.  Sadly, no dogs are allowed on trails in Castle Crags State Park.  This hike was recommended to us by some locals with a truck full of Malamutes as we bumbled around a different trailhead nearby searching out the best dog-legal view of the Crags.  The first rule of hike club is ALWAYS heed the advice of locals at trailheads.

Lion Slide Falls

Near: Redding
Trip Type: Swimming Hole
Elevation: 3000 ft
Distance: < 1/4 Mile
Surface: Mud and creekbed
Vegetation: Forest

Last Visited in July 2015

Image Lifted from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvEdXLlhUvc

Lion Slide Falls is a gem of a swimming hole.  A 25 ft (30 ft?) fall drops vertically into a deep pool that's been enlarged by a low wall of rocks built around the perimeter. An old tree with some steps carved into makes an improvised diving platform and if you're really adventurous you can jump from the the high rocks to the right of the falls.  This spot is so much fun you won't believe it hasn't been shut down yet by some soulless lawyer.  Its not really a hike, but you could add some more adventure by trying to find Lion Wash Falls, supposedly further upstream.  We came here on a hot July 4th weekend and found it quite mobbed, but even so it was still quite fun.

Hat Tip: Found this spot in Tim Joyce's "Swimming Holes of California".

Briones Regional Park

Near: Orinda
Trip Type: Mountain Bike Ride
Elevation: 650-1350 ft
Distance: 8 miles
Surface: Dirt and Gravel
Vegetation: Pasture

Briones Regional Park is an often-overlooked park on the east side of the Berkeley hills.  It's all pasture land and most of the trails are in open fields.  In the summer this means exposed fire roads roasting under the sun surrounded by brown dead grass.  In the spring though, the hills turn green.  The open landscape yields gorgeous views and milder temperatures make for very pleasant hiking, running and biking.  The route posted here is my favorite mountain biking route, as I find that's the most fun way to experience the park.