101 Hikes in Northern California. Matt Heid
Praise for Previous Editions
“Here’s inspiration to turn off the television and head for the hills.”
—Napa Valley Register
“If you like to hike, make the most of your outdoor adventures by toting this handy reference guide in your backpack. With author Matt Heid’s insights, you’re sure to wander through some of this scenic region’s most stunning backcountry.”
—Spirit magazine, Southwest Airlines
“A wonderful selection of trails, good writing, and helpful graphics makes this a choice guidebook for ambles in the special places of Northern California.”
—Honorable Mention, 2001 National Outdoor Book Awards
“Before heading into the backcountry, a generation or two of hikers have packed an essential piece of equipment: a trusty Wilderness Press hiking guide.”
—Sacramento Bee
Dedicated to my mom and dad, for everything
101 Hikes in Northern California
Third edition, first printing
Copyright © 2000, 2008, and 2015 by Matt Heid
Editor: Kerry Smith
Project editor: Ritchey Halphen
Cover and interior photos: copyright © 2015 Matt Heid, except where noted
Topographic maps: © 2015 National Geographic Maps, with trails added by the author
Overview map and cover design: Scott McGrew
Text design: Larry P. Van Dyke
Proofreaders: Rebecca Henderson, Kate Johnson
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Heid, Matt, 1975–
101 hikes in Northern California : exploring mountains, valleys, and seashore / Matt Heid.
pages cm.
Summary: “101 Hikes in Northern California by Matt Heid benefits readers by narrowing down the multitude of options for hiking in Northern California to the very best of the best adventures. It is distinct from other similar guidebooks in that it covers the northern two-thirds of the state, including nearly the entirety of the Sierra Nevadas south to Kings Canyon National Park and the entire Big Sur region along the coast south to Silver Peak Wilderness. It also provides significant geographic diversity: Hikes are spread out across the entire region. No matter where you are in northern California, you can find a hike in the book within a short drive. The guide is unique in the amount of natural history information it provides, especially the geologic stories of the featured destinations. It provides not just the essential directions for completing a hike, it enhances the experience by telling the story of how the landscape came to be the way it is.” — Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-0-89997-781-2 (paperback) — ISBN 0-89997-781-2 — eISBN 978-0-89997-782-9
1. Hiking—California—Guidebooks. 2. Trails—California—Guidebooks. 3. California—Guidebooks. I. Title. II. Title: One hundred one hikes in Northern California. III. Title: One hundred and one hikes in Northern California.
GV199.42.C2H45 2015
796.5109794—dc23
2015008843
Manufactured in the United States of America
Distributed by Publishers Group West
| Published by: |
|
|
| An imprint of Keen Communications, LLC | ||
| 2204 First Ave. S., Suite 102 | ||
| Birmingham, AL 35233 | ||
| 800-443-7227, fax 205-326-1012 |
Visit wildernesspress.com for a complete listing of our books and for ordering information. Contact us at [email protected], facebook.com/wildernesspress1967, or twitter.com/wilderness1967 with questions or comments.
Cover photos: Front: Mounts Ritter and Banner rise above Ediza Lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness (see Hike 91). Back: (top) the rugged coastline south of Sonoma’s Lost Coast (see Hike 40), (inset) old-growth redwood forest (see Hike 49).
Frontispiece: A hiker marvels at old-growth redwood forest along California’s northern coast.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.
SAFETY NOTICE Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while in the wilderness. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions, and know your own limitations.
Acknowledgments
Thanks go first to the countless rangers, public-land managers, and stewards of Northern California’s natural treasures. They patiently answered my long lists of questions and were an invaluable resource in ensuring the accuracy of this updated guide.
Many wonderful people joined and supported me on this latest book-updating adventure, including my brother, John, and his family, Analise, Ansel, and Siena; my mom and dad; Joann Volinski; Chuck and Benjamin Kapelke; Tom Hruschka; Grant and Becky Wayman; and Bob and Marsha Lewis.
Thank you to Molly Merkle and Ritchey Halphen for your remarkable patience and exceptional work in bringing this latest edition to completion. And thank you to Colleen MacDonald, Suzanne Shaw, and everybody at UCS for providing me with the time and support needed for this update.
Lastly, I want to especially thank my beloved wife, Gretchen, for supporting my lifelong passion for the Northern California wilderness and perpetual dedication to this book. Thank you, Gretchen—I love you. And to my two young boys, Kieran and Rohan—someday soon we’ll all hike the trails of Northern California together!
Hike on.
—Matt Heid
Bedford, Massachusetts
March 2015
Contents