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Northern California
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| The mountains of Northern California lack the high impact
scenery found in the North Cascades and the Sierra Nevada
Mountains. However, the real reason why solitude is
likely while hiking in the Siskiyou range, the Marble Mountains
and especially the Warner Mountains is that they are far away from
a major metropolitan city. The Devils Punchbowl, a lovely
lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness, 13 miles return
from Doe Flat, is an eight hour drive from the Bay area or
six and a half hours from Portland. This lake wouldn't stand
out elsewhere, and its not worthy of a destination in itself, but
if you really wanted an alpine experience without other people
around, these ranges are ideal. |
| In the remote northeast corner
of California are two interesting oddities, the lava tubes that
are the feature attraction of Lava Beds National National Monument
and the little known source of these caves, the Medicine Lake
Volcano. The volcano has created over 700 lava tubes and the
National Monument has made 22 of them easier to explore, only two
require a park tour. The volcano itself is unremarkable, the
caldera lies beneath modest looking Medicine Lake and the most
recent sign of volcanism is the 1000 year old vent, Glass
Mountain. |
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Redwoods National Park
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| The tallest of the Redwood trees, in excess of 370ft, are found
in the Tall Trees Grove, a modest hike, 3.5 miles
500ft, with a 50 person daily limit. However
there are no shortage of tall redwoods to enjoy in the multitude
of state parks in the area and few if any require even a
hike. In particular the Stout Grove in of Jedediah Smith
Redwoods State Park feature 300ft redwoods with very little
understory. |
| However sometimes the understory can be an attraction all by
itself. Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwood State Park
features a variety of rare prehistoric ferns.
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| Right: Driving to the Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith
Redwoods State Park |
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| Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park features tide pools
in addition to the giant trees.
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| Left:
The terminus of the Damnation Creek trail 4.5 miles
return, 1000ft loss
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| "One thing we learned upon our visit to this park was that the
trees are much larger the further you get away from the coast.
The trailhead features giant redwoods but the trees get
smaller as you drop
precipitously toward the ocean. The beach itself is rocky
and not as private as you would expect however there are some cool sea
stacks to enjoy.
" |
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| Above: Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith
Redwoods State Park |
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Mt. Shasta |
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| 14,162ft Mt. Shasta is the second
highest peak in California, and the second highest of the Cascade volcanoes. The climb is actually a non-technical scramble if you
go via the
Avalanche Gulch Route.
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| Right: Mt Shasta from I-5 |
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Our climb, July 2nd 2002
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| "The first hour
is on a gentle trail through forest hardly
gaining any elevation as the trail works its way clockwise along
the west side of the mountain.
Then after turning abruptly and climbing uphill you reach the
Horse Camp.
There is a large cabin and many established campsites that you can
use for a
donation. Beyond the campground the trail crosses a meadow
on a path of carefully laid stones called
Oberman's Causeway before merging onto a big rocky moraine. The
hike up that moraine is the least enjoyable part of the hike but in less
than two hours you
reach a steep snowfield and arrive at (snow filled) Helen Lake
(approx. el. 10,400ft).
There are dozens of well-established sites with rock walls to
block out
any wind." |
| Right: The trailhead at Bunny Flat |
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"Our summit bid began at
4am the next morning. Conditions were perfect, as the snow
was really solid giving us good grip and yet not collecting under our
crampons. The most dangerous area on this route is right
below the Red Banks where you cross an obvious
rock fall area. "
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"Getting past this area in the wee hours of
the morning
greatly minimizes that risk. After that you reach a broad
rock outcropping called Heart Rock. You go right at this point and
head straight for aptly named Thumb Rock at the far right end of
Red Banks." |
| Left: Red Banks |
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"This was the steepest segment of our ascent and it's actually a
longer
than it looks as it keeps on climbing until you reach a col just
before a
scree mound called Misery Hill. Despite the name the grade
here is fairly
moderate and the views are incredible. Once atop this heap
the
summit left, comes into view, a mere
300ft scramble on the far side of a broad snow filled col."
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| Ascent time: 6.5 hours, 13.6 miles return, 7212ft |
Mt. Shasta is a bit of an island in a
small wilderness area. Panther Meadows is pretty, but
its also wildly popular with the alternative spirituality
crowd. The best photos of the mountain are taken from Lake Shastina,
however its north of Mt. Shasta and is not ideal in most
lighting conditions. Lake Siskiyou is southeast but the
view is partially obscured by low ridges. Another great
vista is from Heart Lake, a warm shallow swimable lake due
west of the volcano.
2.2 miles return from Castle Lake,
600ft
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| Left: The Summit of Mt.
Shasta |
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Near the town of Dunsmuir is the lovely Mossbrae
Falls. This broad 50ft cascade is very photogenic but its
popularity has caused problem with the locals. Parking is an issue
and liability concerns have caused the city to discourage tourists from
visiting the falls.
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| However tourist are encouraged to visit the falls of the
McCloud River. Lower McCloud Falls in
particular is a popular swimming hole. |
| The Trinity Alps is the second largest wilderness area in California
although in this case it means longer approaches to second tier
scenery. No one destination stands out, although the big
three are 72
acre Caribou Lake, the Canyon Creek Basin and the Stuart
drainage which lies between them. It would be possible to
see all three on the same journey. There is a well
travelled route that crosses the 2500ft pass between Caribou
Lake and Emerald & Sapphire Lakes (Stuart Fork) however to get
to El Lake (AKA 'L' or 'Ell' Lake)
requires a bit of skill. Of the three options Canyon Creek
is probably the most interesting, as the approach trail features
several waterfalls and a side trail to lovely Boulder Lakes and Forbidden Lakes. |
Caribou Lakes Trail: 19 miles return, 2500ft
Stuart Fork
Trail: 29 miles return, 3300ft to Sapphire Lake
Canyon Creek Trail: 16 miles return, 2602ft, for
the main basin |
| In a state blessed with many big powerful
waterfalls McArthur Burney Falls stands out as
perhaps the coolest one of them all. A 129ft cliff of
porous volcanic rock combines with natural underground
springs to create a one of a kind wall of water. Easy access
and a swimable plunge pool means you can explore this wonder up
close and from every angle. |
| Left: Lower McCloud Falls |
| Right: McArthur Burney
Falls |
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Lassen
Volcanic National Park |
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| Lassen has a bit
of all the wonders associated with volcanoes. There
is a lava tube, the Subway Cave, at the junction of #89
and #44 and many thermal features including hot springs,
mudpots and fumaroles. The best of these
areas is Bumpass Hell: |
| "The park service actually had this
trail
roped off when we were there in July because there was still snow
on the ground. We went anyway and had no problems finding the thermal
area (3 miles 400ft loss) and didn't encounter anything remotely
dangerous (just stick to the boardwalks)."
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At the Butte Lake entrance to the park is a
hike to the top of a cinder cone. While a unique
feature in itself, the Painted Hills which can be seen
from the trail are particularly photogenic.
4 miles return, 846ft
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| Right: Bumpass Hell |
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