101 Hikes in Northern California. Matt Heid
in the state. Regulations are generally strict—car camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds, backcountry camping (when possible) is usually allowed only at designated trail camps, and dogs are never allowed in the backcountry. All state park campgrounds operate on the same reservation system; call 800-444-7275 or visit reserveamerica.com to reserve a site.
Be prepared. Adventure awaits.
Note that the budget for the California state park system is often in flux and is almost always underfunded. Staffing and available amenities often vary from year to year as a result. In some cases, entire parks have closed during the off-season (typically November–April). Other parks have reduced the open seasons for their campgrounds and backcountry trail camps at times. The situation is fluid and will likely remain so in the months and years ahead. Call ahead to check current park status, especially if you’re planning a visit during the off-season.
National Forests
As “the land of many uses,” national forests are America’s playgrounds. Run by the federal government (Department of Agriculture), the US Forest Service manages the land for a wide variety of purposes—logging, ranching, hunting, and hiking are all permitted—and regulations outside of wilderness areas are generally much fewer than on other public lands.
Dogs are allowed, camping is permitted virtually anywhere, wilderness permits are not required for backcountry camping, and no use fees are charged. A campfire permit is required for the use of stoves and campfires, obtainable free from any Forest Service ranger station and valid across the state for the entire year.
Roads are generally poor, commonly unpaved, and often challenging and confusing to navigate. National forest maps are usually remarkably accurate, indicate areas of private property, and are all but essential for road navigation. Organized national forest campgrounds are plentiful across the state and tend to be inexpensive, but they often lack amenities (pit toilets are common).
Wilderness Areas
Managed to protect the land’s wilderness aspects, designated wilderness areas can be found in national forests throughout the state, as well as some state and national parks. No roads exist, all motorized vehicles are prohibited, and logging is not permitted. Wilderness permits are required in all but the most remote areas and can be obtained free at any nearby ranger station. Due to heavy use, the wilderness areas in the Sierra Nevada are more extensively managed—trail quotas are often in effect for backpackers. Dogs are usually allowed, and backcountry camping is permitted almost anywhere. Facilities and amenities are nonexistent—come prepared.
Other Agencies
City and county parks are common in the Bay Area and are almost all day-use only. Entrance fees are usually charged. Dogs are generally not permitted, but a few exceptions exist, most notably in the Bay Area’s East Bay Regional Park District. The Bureau of Land Management manages a few regions covered by the book. Much like national forests, they have few regulations and almost no amenities or facilities. Dogs are permitted.
Other Considerations
Children
While this book is not designed for families with young children, several short hikes are perfectly suitable for the youngest hikers; look for the symbol in the trip header or the chart, or check the complete list in “Hikes by Theme”.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds vary markedly depending on location. State and national park campgrounds are generally the most luxurious, but they're often expensive and crowded. If you can cope with pit toilets, US Forest Service campgrounds are usually much more basic, smaller, and cheaper.
The Central Coast, Bay Area, and Coast Ranges
STRETCHING FROM Silver Peak Wilderness on the southern end of Big Sur to the northern end of Hwy. 1 in Mendocino County, this region encompasses the stretch of coastline accessible from Hwy. 1, all of the Bay Area, and the interior Coast Ranges. The overall topography is one of low mountain ranges divided by broad valleys—interrupted by the unique world of the San Francisco Bay Area. While the coastline is generally rocky and characterized by steep bluffs and headlands, beaches are also common.
Annual precipitation is high on the coast but diminishes rapidly as you go inland, creating habitat for lush redwood and mixed-evergreen forests near the Pacific, and extensive oak woodlands farther east. Going from south to north, precipitation generally increases while average temperatures decrease, leaving the southern regions hotter and drier for most of the year. Dense fog is common along the coast during the summer months, snow seldom falls anywhere in the region, and most of these hikes can be done year-round. Highlights of the region include rolling oak woodlands flushed green in spring, foaming surf on the dramatic Pacific Coast, lush redwood forests, and the endless variety of hikes and views available in the Bay Area.
HIKE 1 Upper Salmon Creek Falls
Highlights Waterfalls, woodlands, and wildflowers
Distance 5.2 miles round-trip
Total Elevation Gain/Loss 1,000'/1,000'
Hiking Time 3–5 hours
Recommended Maps Big Sur and Ventana Wilderness by Wilderness Press, USGS 7.5-min. Villa Creek and Burro Mountain
Best Times Year-round
Agency Silver Peak Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest
Difficulty
ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE of the Big Sur region, a little-traveled pocket of coastal mountain grandeur awaits within Silver Peak Wilderness. Far-reaching vistas look out across the ocean, perennial streams swirl beneath lush forest, and several quiet backcountry campsites entice you to spend the night.
Salmon Creek Falls (photo: Analise Elliot Heid)
The Hike first ascends to nearby Salmon Creek Falls, a dramatic cascade within eyeshot of Hwy. 1, and then travels along the mossy corridor of Salmon Creek to reach Upper Salmon Creek Falls. An iridescent pool shimmers at the base of this misty gem, a refreshing swimming spot on hot summer days. Fog can be thick in the summer months and poison oak is ubiquitous year-round. No water is available at the trailhead, though Salmon Creek is regularly accessible.
To Reach the Trailhead Follow Hwy. 1 to the signed Salmon Creek Trailhead, at a tight bend in the highway 8 miles south of Gorda, 7 miles north of Ragged Point, and 1.5 miles north of the posted San Luis Obispo County line. Park in the wide turnouts on either side of the highway.
Description From the trailhead, follow Salmon Creek Trail as it climbs a moderate grade along the south bank of Salmon Creek. The falls are clearly audible and you quickly reach an unmarked junction leading downward to the base of the cascade (0.1/230'). A side trip not to be missed, the 200-foot spur drops past fragrant bays and mossy boulders to reach the mist-cloaked cascade.
After exploring the falls, don’t be taken in by the heavily used, steep spur that continues up Salmon Creek to rocky promontories above the falls. Many hikers mistake this spur for the Salmon Creek Trail, following it until it disappears into oblivion a mile upstream. Instead, carefully retrace your steps to the earlier junction, bear left, and continue climbing a moderate grade up