Looking at doing Cone Peak from Vicente Flat. Alltrails reviews mention that the trail is very poorly maintained.

Does anyone have experience/an idea of how gnarly it really is?

I am thinking of doing my first solo backpacking trip in Henry Coe and looking for some advice! I car camp a lot and have been backpacking with a group a few times, but I want to explore going on my own. Does Henry Coe seem like a good first destination?? Also heads up that I'm thinking of going in January/February... I like the cold, but that might add some added complication

I’ve got a work trip mid-November to north Lake Tahoe. After the trip, I’m going to stay in the area for two extra nights before flying out of Reno.

Looking for suggestions on great hikes and good places to stay. I like neat mountain towns a whole lot more than a touristy ski town (as long as there is a brewery or two).

I’m an avid hiker, so I don’t mind something rugged, but I only have a little experience hiking in icy/snowy conditions.

Thanks!

Anyone know a good spot to hike with my gf with private areas we could sneak off into to be alone ???

Hi everybody, this isn't specifically a hiking question, but I figured this sub would be full of the people most familiar with Yosemite. My girlfriend and I are going to Yosemite this weekend. We've had it booked for several months and now the forecast is for a combination of rain/snow. I knew this was a possibility for early November, but it's going to change our plans.

I grew up in Norcal, so I've been to Yosemite quite a few times, but I've always done the same few hikes: Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls. My girlfriend grew up elsewhere and this will be her first time. Given the crummy weather, we probably won't be doing Vernal Falls, as I remember there being steps that will probably be slippery in the snow. Yosemite Falls is a possibility because I remember much of the trail is on wood. Are there any other short hikes or nature walks that could be done easily in rain/snow? If we decide that the weather is too bad to hike in, what else could we do to make the most of our trip?

Hey everyone, I've been doing some hiking on my own, and wanted to see if there was a group in the area is could go out with. I'm in Lodi, but happy to travel a bit :p

Hi! My girlfriends and I are planning on hiking Bassi Falls this weekend. Has anyone been lately? Wondering how the road conditions are, one friend thinks we need a 4x4 but most of us think we are ok with a compact car because there isn’t any snow. Thanks fellow hikers!

I hike at night with a small group sometimes. What should I bring in case we run into a mountain lion or coyote? Bear spray? Airhorn? Byrna pistol?

Hello everyone!

I went to all the popular redwood and sequoia national parks and state parks a kid, however, its been awhile! Id like to find some new places to explore that are dog friendly. I know that means im looking for national forest or BLM land (or hipcamp?).

The main issue is that many places have experienced fire in the last few years, so I'm finding that primitive sites haven't been cleared of dead and dying tree. (Or, maybe they have but no recent reviews confirm it.)

Any reccs? Winter or summer! North or south! I am comfortable with established or primitive camping, backpacking, etc (and everything that comes with!) and practice LNT principles! I tend to prioritize a quiet area where i dont have to worry if i do or dont see other people (aka i feel safe and its quiet to sleep). I have awd but not 4wd. Not comfortable with advanced scrambling (I know my limits). Thanks!

Edit: when I say "safe", I am referring to the humans not the wildlife.

Cross listed to the sac subreddit!

Hi! Does anyone know of any hiking, but specifically backpacking groups in NorCal/ Bay Area? I would love to have a women’s group ages 18-25 ish (but open to any!) to find people to go on adventures with! I’m new to backpacking and would love to have girls with similar ages and interests as me💓

I’m not necessarily looking for groups to pay and have a guided trip, but really just a group of friends to explore the backcountry with! Open to any suggestions as well;)

The Redwoods State Park website says that some trails leading past a number of Trail Camps is currently closed. The website notification doesn't say anything about the Trail Camps being closed, but a ranger at one of the stations told me that all of the camps are closed.
...Does anybody have info on what's going on?

I am hoping to get out to the mountains one last time before it’s too cold/snow hits and maybe see some fall foliage. What areas are best this time of year?

Planning on hiking in this area later in the week, anyone have a preference/info for either location? I prefer more rugged terrain which I know is more common in the TA, but have also heard great things about MM so wanted to see which would be more worth it to visit. Thanks!

hi! me & 2 pals are thinking of doing the lost coast trail in December. I’ve done winter backpacking before in snow so I have gear for the low temps. but besides that is there anything to note about a december hike of it? anyone ever done it in december and want to share anything ? or is it a bad time to do it and i should just wait until it’s warm? id be willing to do it more than once! just looking for something to backpack in CA in dec, thanks!!

Has anyone been on the Ohlone Trail in January? I’m an experienced backpacker (most East Coast) but unfamiliar with hiking in the Bay Area that time of year. I’d appreciate any insight on what conditions I may encounter then, esp. weather, trail conditions, & water sources.

Tuleyome's October Nature and You lecture may be of interest to folks on this sub - it's from Andrew Fulks, Tuleyome co-founder and longtime trail builder and advocate in the Northern Inner Coast Range. He'll be talking about hiking in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, one of my favorite hiking destinations.

It's at 7pm on Thursday 10/24 on Zoom. Here's the link to register:

https://www.tuleyome.org/event-details/400

Looking ahead at next summer, dad of 2 young girls who did a bunch of trips this year and they loved them (Samuel P, Hendy Woods and Calaveras).

Next summer I want to venture up 101 to some seriously spectacular old growth. Yet still want family friendly car camping for maybe 3-4 nights.

With so many options along the way, how to choose? I’m leaning Humboldt Redwoods (Burlington Campground) since it looks great, convenient while being among the closest. I want to avoid 5+ hr drive if I can but am I seriously missing out not going all the way to Redwood National, Prairie Creek or Jedidiah?

Anyone been to a bunch of these who can help me choose?

Our first two Fieldwork hiker / backpacker meetups were resounding successes, so I figured I'd try hosting on the regular. First Thursdays in Berkeley work for me, but if they don't for you please steal my idea and host your own!

The goal here is to give folks a chance to suss each other out as potential new hiking / backpacking / birdwatching / stargazing / caveperson-reenacting / etc. friends. I was too lazy to start hosting these in time for last year's backpacking season, but by the Beard of Zeus I intend to now!

I will say it's been a bit tricky navigating post-meetup communications. We've tried Facebook, Discord, and a private sub, but nothing feels like a strong Darwinian win. It might be best to just stick to meetups and let things proceed in a more caveperson-y manner, but if you've got better ideas in your homo sapien head I'm all ears!

For what it's worth, I'm a 47 year old guy who lives in Berkeley and has a surprisingly high percentage of Neanderthal DNA. I love afternoon hikes in Tilden and our other central East Bay parks, as well as the Berkeley Hill Paths and Tam. I'd also love to discuss and potentially start planning some summer 2025 Sierra backpacking trips - 3-5 days in the high country south of Yosemite with an off-trail component would be dreamy. I'm looking for chill, friendly, reliable folks with a similar vibe. Plusses if you're familiar with backpacking and off-trail travel, able to plan trips on weekdays, and/or fond of birdwatching, plant identification, astronomy, or other science-y or history stuff.

But that’s just me! You’re you, and this group is for everyone. See you there!

I'm very new to overnight back packing, but I feel I am an experienced day hiker, and love regular camping.

I was wondering if anyone experienced in backpacking knew of any hike-in campsites in California that are about 5 or so miles from the parking lot or trail head. If they allow dogs even better since they would be coming with me.

They've gone with me day hiking all the time, but I would love to test out the realities of bringing their food, and maybe water, carrying their waste, etc.

I'm hoping I to get a real world test of my gear. If I need more, or less maybe not the right backpack (bought secondhand), and all that fun stuff.

Any first hand tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated, especially if you've brought dogs and what you experienced with them.

A friend and I are looking to hike a portion of the PCT trail next fall, from Sierra City (49) to Immigrant Gap (80). From what I studied on the map and my current abilities, it could be a 3 to 5 day trip.

Hi, I had booked a visit to hike Mount Shasta and visit lassen national park tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. After doing some research It looks like the shoe fire is contained to mostly Shasta trinity national forest and is a bit removed from the two locations I want to visit.

Is anyone up there in the area that can confirm this or has been hiking up near Shasta this week? Is it smoky in the area?

Thank you!

Hi there 👋

Lifelong camper, but never backpacked, so I'm looking for a spot (preferably no reservations, anywhere in the state) I can pull up to with a car and set up a tent for a couple nights.

Usually do this in BLM land just outside Inyo/near Mammoth, but nights are a little too cold out there for the gf in November.

Have now learned about Cache Creek and Henry Coe from this sub, but both seem to require hiking into a spot.

If there's a spot that fits what I'm looking for I'd appreciate being put on 🙏

Hi everyone!

I'm a pretty avid hiker (26M) based in the Peninsula looking for hiking buddies that interested in backpacking / mountaineering. I like to do 1-3 day trips in the sierras with occasional peakbagging. I've climbed a few CA 14ers (Shasta/Whitney/Muir/N. Pal) and am planning to climb some more in 2025 along with some longer backpacking plans.

Right now we're at the end of the season and I'm not in great shape, so I'm planning on building fitness for the next few months. If anyone would like to join me on some moderate 7-15+ mile hikes around the bay, post below or DM me! I like hiking all over the place, from Marin to south bay to the east bay, and prefer small groups (2-5 people).