I travel to the Bay area a few times a year for work and wanted to get some backpacking in this time. The plan was Wildcat at Point Reyes for this coming Mon-Wed as a fairly chill trip in a new place to me but looking at the weather I'm a little nervous...I can't really bail out mid trip if the weather is very miserable because a friend is dropping me off and picking me up, but I don't really want to sit in a tent while it's a downpour all day. Have camped and backpacked plenty in the rain before, but it's also looking colder than I thought it would be. Would you reschedule, or try to go somewhere else? I could rent a car instead perhaps...

Has anyone been there lately? How are the roads?

What are some of your favorite spots to hit up after these few days of upcoming rain?

I was looking at the map of N3 ranch, which owns land bordering the Ohlone Wilderness Trail to the southeast (near Rose Flat). Looking at this map, it looks like N3 ranch owns a continuous portion of land from Ohlone Wilderness Preserve to the northern boundary with Henry Coe SP (near the Mt. Stakes Trail in the Orestimba Wilderness)

Website details on the N3 ranch are vague. Back a few years ago, it looks like the land was being proposed for use as a state park, and now it looks like the land is being used for companies to purchase carbon offsets/credits? https://www.n3ranch.com/mitigation-credit-opportunities (Not sure exactly what "mitigation credit" refers to here).

Given that this is in a very remote part of the Diablo foothills, I'm guessing that this isn't at the top of people's minds, but I think it'd be really cool if there was a public easement on this ranchland connecting the two parks. Or, not that this would be ideal, some permit system (pay N3 ranch $20 and get a permit to hike through from Del Valle to Bell Station)

https://preview.redd.it/rxam02oo18ge1.png?width=1339&format=png&auto=webp&s=5f424f281f44c1ade777f2759bd3402e6d819b68

I’m a big fan of trails around Crabtree Trailhead outside snow season.

How’s that area this time of year? I imagine road to Crabtree is closed - where to park?

I have a 4x4 and chains, goes without saying.

I went to book to book a permit for 6 months from now (7/29) for Kearsarge Pass and it says permits are available 2 weeks out. I thought 60% were released 6 months out and 40% 2 weeks out, but for some trails it looks like no permits are released until 2 weeks out, did something change? I swear I looked a few weeks ago when planning this trip and it said they opened 6 months out. The Inyo site on Reservation gov also states the 6 months/2 weeks 60/40 guideline. Thanks!

One of my hiking goals for the year is to see some pikas. Any recommendations for trails and time of year where I'd be likely to see them? Trails in the general vicinity of I-80 or US50 preferred, but can go a bit further north or south if needed.

Our first four Fieldwork hiker and backpacker meetups went swimmingly - as did our second hike - so let's continue the trend! If first Thursdays in Berkeley don't work for you, please steal my idea and host your own!

The goal is to give folks a chance to mix, mingle, and make new hiking and backpacking friends! If you like moving through nature like a bad little beast and want a larger outdoor pack, this group is for you. Also, we all need less screen time and more yapping. We've consistently had 15-25 people show up, so I've booked two outdoor tables - look for the sign!

For what it's worth, I'm a 47 year old guy who's looking for a handful of solid and reliable friends who are eager to head out for several multi-day trips in the Sierras this summer. A group of 3-5 folks would be charming. But that's just me! You're you, and this group is for everyone - so take a chance and come on down!

Also, I've posted our February hike for this month - we'll be doing the Crosstown Trail in SF on the 16th, here's a link to the event posting. Is it nature? No! Will it be fun? Uh, yeah!

See you on the 6th and/or the 16th!

I am not an experienced backpacker! however, I am looking for a one nighteer. A year ago I did Morgan Territory BackPacking trail and site. about 4.5 miles i think. Im looking for similar or shorter. I know its cold, I have good gear. I am in the Bay and cant really go more than 1/1.5 hours out. Thank you!

Hey folx! I was running yesterday down Gazos Creek Road on the ocean side of Big Basin and happened to look off to the side and see a handheld size GPS device. If you think it is yours, please DM me one of the places you’ve explored using this device and the unit ID if possible. I’d love to reunite this GPS with its rightful owner. Cheers!

Hello 👋

Today I dropped my glasses somewhere on the hike but didn’t realise it until much later. They are Rayban wayfarers with custom lenses worth $600, so I thought of posting here in case people have any advice.

I couldn’t find any official lost-n-found website. Thinking of doing the hike again tomorrow early morning, just in case they’re still lying around 🤷‍♂️

If you found them, please let me know, thanks! 🙏

I would also love any recs for dog friendly places to stay including camp sites. My pups and I have a car camping set up so it must be a drive in site. Would like to break up the trip into a few camp days and a few brick and mortar stays.

I wanted to go snowshoeing in Tahoe next Sunday. My plan was to do Round Top with an ice axe if the avi danger stayed low. However, it looks like there is snow in the forecast between now and then so there's a decent chance that would not be safe.

I want a backup plan that doesn't contain any avalanche terrain. I was thinking a route like this, taking roughly the saddle trail up and the TRT down (obviously in the winter don't expect there to be any actual "trails" but roughly following those paths.

https://preview.redd.it/rek18qbob0fe1.png?width=1010&format=png&auto=webp&s=8e05d9db18826878ce3f85693497559dad4f9b53

Thoughts - is this relatively safe? Last year did Granite Lake to Maggies Peak in Feb and Mt. Ralston in May (it was rock for the first two miles, snow for last mile).

Alternatively could scale it slightly back and only hike to Meiss Lake.

Showers lake (in the same area) also seems cool but online it mentions an avalanche terrain trap - I'm not sure if this applies to the TRT route or just the up and over route https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/showers-lake-via-the-pct

A last option I'm considering is the Tahoe Yosemite trail to Genevieve Lake.

EDIT: For full clarity here are the two routes I'm considering.

https://preview.redd.it/6bqab3qul0fe1.png?width=1010&format=png&auto=webp&s=8366bcb9cd6333c43cad77e24567298acaa5e7ba

https://preview.redd.it/i4s5a4qul0fe1.png?width=1010&format=png&auto=webp&s=57632f44ada6872fb50d8fe2940d3239e4de7127

How do y'all get campsite reservations at Wildcat? Weekends seem impossible to get!

Any tips and suggestions welcome 😊

Hello my family of 3 would like to rent a cabin and stay in the woods for 4 days. Thinking about either Humbolt or Big Basin, Santa Cruz mountain area. We are getting there March 7th, don’t know about the weather. What would better? What would you choose?

Hey Team!

I'm planning to spend Pres. Day Weekend with an old friend, and we rented a camper van to get some nature. I was thinking it might be nice to head up near the Feather River area, as I know there are ample places to camp in the summer and I'm doubting that the first-come-first served situation will be too tough, but of course many of the campgrounds are also closed. Any suggestions for a Chico-area or Plumas, Sierra or Lassen Counties with good potential for some van camping (we'll be self-contained and not need a bathroom, just will need a place to hopefully have a little fire outside) and good hikes nearby?

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hey there! Just starting my backpacking adventures. I completed my first trip solo recently but would also like to meet other female backpackers. Whether the connection is for encouragement, tips, or to someday plan a trip together. I’m open to it!

We can connect on Reddit or Instagram. However, I’ll be honest I’m very new to posting/using Reddit and still figuring it out. I have a public IG account you can message me @jacjacexplores

**Also, not singling out befriending men either but I’m working on strengthening and building friendships with the ladies this year! I need more girls nights haha Send a friend request or message either way 😊

OK Reddit, for February's group hike we'll do San Francisco's Crosstown Trail northbound in one fell swoop! Here's a link to the trail's website, and here's a link to its Alltrails map - 15 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing should make for a fairly spicy day!

As most of you know, I'm hosting these hikes and our Fieldwork meetups to help myself and others make more hiking, backpacking, and friendy friends. I hike several days a week in the central East Bay and I plan on doing several multi-day backpacking trips in the Sierras this summer. But that's just me! If you're vibing with someone and the feeling seems mutual, give them your number and plan something concrete! The worst that can happen is nothing, and that's already going on.

So. This hike is going to require some serious planning. Here's the deal:

• The trail itself starts at Sunrise Point in Candlestick Park, but we're going to meet at Mission Blue Coffee at 144 Leland in Visitacion Valley, linked here. This cuts two miles and 45 minutes off the hike, but that's OK - the Candlestick section is pretty meh, and I can't figure out whether the Sunrise Point parking lot closes at 5 or 7 in the winter - the former's no good. Plus who can resist coffee in rustic-chic environs.

• The group as a whole will depart promptly at 10 AM from Mission Blue. I don't check my phone once we're off, so if you're late use the map to catch up.

• If you don't need a car once we reach the end of the hike at Land's End - maybe you live nearby or plan on taking public transit, a gig, or a poltergeist car - feel free to arrive at Mission Blue by 10 AM however you see fit. Same deal if you're going to peel off before we reach the end.

• If you do need a car once we reach Land's End - maybe you're driving from elsewhere and don't feel like spending hours on public transit after a 15 mile walk and you find the gig and ghost economies existentially gross - we'll set up a vehicle bridge. We'll meet at the Land's End Lookout linked here at 8:45 AM and depart promptly at 9 for the 30 minute drive to Mission Blue, leaving behind enough cars at Land's End to drive back to Mission Blue once we finish the hike.

• I'll be Team Shuttle and can take up to four people in my crappy Prius C. Those of you with shameful hoarder cars should purge them now. Post-hike snacks and drinks would be wise too. As with all things SF, don't leave anything visible in your car - if you have a trunk, folding down the seats can help preserve your windows.

• Regardless of where we meet up, I'm still the middle-aged bald guy with black hiking poles and strong RBF.

If everything goes according to plan, we'll depart en masse from Mission Blue at 10 AM. At a normal walking pace with a reasonable number of bathroom, photo, stretching, coffee, pastry, and celebrity coyote breaks, I'd guess we'll make Land's End by 5 or so. Sunset's at 5:50, so we should finish well before dark. More points:

• Unlike our nature hikes, rain cancels - being moist all day sucks.

• Please bring a lunch - I don't want to deal with the chaos of stopping and ordering. That being said, I'd be grateful if our more food-motivated members would be willing to plan a few solid coffee / pastry / snack options along our route.

• If anyone wants to lead some or all of the hike, I'd appreciate it - navigating impairs my ability to yap. Unless there's a free Google Maps version, I have to think the paid Alltrails live directions are a must.

• We should have a big group, so if I could have a few volunteers share a sweeper position that would be rad - I don't want people getting left behind unless they deserve it.

• Dogs seem OK for this one, but I'm not certain about that. It's on you to assess the full route for permission and your pup's fitness!

• If I'm missing anything important about the logistics, parking, route, etc., let me know!

This being a human endeavor, we need some ground rules. Here are mine:

• Be fit. That word conjures unpleasant images of oppressively tan people in pastel spandex, but it does capture the immutable fact that this is going to be a hard hike. Please only attend if you can comfortably complete 15 miles and 2,000 feet of climbing at a normal walking pace on occasionally rough terrain with few breaks. That's like 5-7 hours of walking. Folks are welcome to join us for stages, but I'm too lazy to calculate where we'll be when.

• Be cool. Please only attend if you're looking to make platonic hiking, backpacking, and friendy friends - this isn't Tinder, LinkedIn, or any of the other dreary plagues afflicting our modern world. If you do fall in love, your firstborn must bear my name.

• No complaining. Sure, a little customary hiker grumbling is necessary and good, but please don't complain about things I told you would happen unless you're me. That being said, please do speak up if you're not feeling well or having genuine difficulty keeping up.

By attending, you agree to follow these and the world's rules and to maintain a friendly and welcoming vibe. Anyone who breaks these rules or otherwise shits the bed will get the boot. Also, please note that this hike is performed entirely at your own risk. SF weather, SF hills, SF drivers, SF coffee, SF bathrooms, SF coyotes, and more make this a risky event. By attending, you agree to fully assume any and all risks, damages, and liabilities you may incur and to hold me harmless for the same.

If you're planning on attending, please RSVP in the comments or via DM so I can get a rough headcount. Please also indicate whether you'll be Team Shuttle. Please don't RSVP unless you're serious about showing up - this is an excellent opportunity to eschew our region's famous waffles.

See you on Sunday the 16th!

Hi We are a Swedish family traveling to california this summer. We are spending a couple of days hiking/backpacking in the redwood np and a couple of days in Lassen Volcanic at summit lake north. We are thinking of adding a ston in the Trinity Alps wilderness. It would just be one night and we could hike out around lunch and should leave for lassen the same time. Is it possible to find a good (dispersed) camping spot 2-3 miles from a parking? Preferably with a nice view. We are prepared at carrying all water, but would off course appreciate some water for cooling off. Or should we stop at a regular car camping, any advice on which would give the most "mountain-experience"?