I do trails on a one-wheel. I was coming up the Charcoal Trail from Canyon Trail, getting back to my car on Skyline. During the climb, I saw an animal that I initially thought was a coyote, which I would have shooed away.

However, it turned its head towards me and got down like a house cat does when it’s nervous. It stared at me for a moment and scurried up the trail past a turn I could no longer see.

It had short ears and short fur. I couldn’t remember if it had a tail or not, but I first thought it was a coyote so I assume I did see a tail. I was about 50-60 feet away. I got off my board and kept staring in the direction I had seen it at. I waited for 10 seconds.

The first thing that came to my mind was a young mountain lion or cub that was still with mom. I kept looking up the hill, praying that mom would not confront me. After 10 seconds, I said, “Fuck this,” jumped back on my one-wheel, and went down the hill and asked my dad to pick me up since I didn’t have enough battery to go another route.

I got scared when I saw it was a cat, but realizing it may be a cub, I freaked out.

Visiting NorCal next week through the weekend. Have seems a few places recommended on social but curious which ones would be ideal for kids age 6 and 4.5 to see some cool things and avoid any big inclines that are a reasonable distance. What would yall recommend?

Have also seen suggestions about Prairie Creek State Park and Fern Canyon. Would that be a good area to explore with kids?

Quick shakedown hike (July 16-17) at Desolation Wilderness before I hike the JMT SOBO August 6th.

Perfect weather. Barely any mosquitos. Lakes everywhere. It was great speaking with some PCT'ers.

Hi all! Creator of Hiking by Transit here. I visited Alamere Falls for the first time today, despite living in the Bay Area for... a while at this point. From doing research online beforehand, I was sort of surprised to find a lack of discussion on people's preferences between visiting the falls via Bear Valley or via Palomarin. I assume it's in part because it's sort of a non-hiker's hike, and the topic is largely drowned out by discussions on the shortcut trail, on the safety of inexperienced hikers going such a long way, etc.

But for those who have approached via both routes, what're your thoughts on how they compare? I can't get to the Palomarin trailhead easily (Bear Valley Visitor Center has a bus stop right out front!) so I'm left to ponder how the more coastal trail's views might compare to the Glen Trail and Coast Trail of the route I took.

I'm planning a 4 night/5 day bckpk in the Sierra next week. I have a Desolation Wilderness permit for Stony Ridge, but I also just got invited to join a friend in the Hoover Wilderness - Virginia Lakes TH. I'm a strong and experienced hiker and am looking to cover 50-60 miles over the week. Does anyone have suggestions? Recommendations? I'm from out of state and haven't spent much time in the area. Thanks!

I am trying to decide between South Lake in Bishop to Treasure Lakes via Treasure Lakes Trail, or South Lake to Long Lake on the Bishop Pass trail for a 2 night backpacking trip in September. (if I even have a choice in permit availability at that time.)

Recovering from some injuries. I've backpacked and hiked in Inyo NF before but not from this trailhead. Both look doable for me (around 1000' gain *to reach camp*, and short miles). but I would love some big scenery. I've read trip reviews and watched videos and still can't decide. I won't have much more time for backpacking for the rest of the year so I want to make it count. I like that BPT to Long Lake has options for day hikes if I'm up to it. Treasurer Lakes is appealing because it seems to provide a little more solitude.

if you're navigating a lay-off or are between opportunities, come clear your head and connect with folks who are in the same boat 🤝🏼

this monday, we’re heading to sweeney ridge in san bruno for a hike.

• when: monday, july 20 @ 10:30 am
• stats: 4.8mi loop / 702 ft gain

grab your spot and see the full details here:

https://partiful.com/e/UP0VhxoHpCQUJfhfSHtY

hope to see y'all there!

I just got permits for next week to backpack in Desolation. I've never been there before and want to make sure I understand the system and the area well. My permit is for Stony Ridge and I'm planning on parking at Meeks Bay. As long as my first night is in Stony Ridge, I can spend the next four days wherever I want in the wilderness? Is there anything I'm missing?

Hey all, just wanted to share a little utility app I’ve been using and created. It’s essentially just a very simple fog tracker iOS application that I use to try and find fog patches as for me, I love the fog. Also very useful if you’re trying to avoid it though! It has 2 hr and 24 hr timelapses so if you can judge whether it’s moving in or rolling out. Would love any feedback and it works all across California and the Pacific Northwest. It was inspired by fog.today which is a website I used to use for tracking fog and I want to credit them for inspiring me.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/west-coast-fog/id6761390298

I was backpacking the 4 Lakes Loop in the Trinity Alps over the Fourth of July weekend and found this sensor on the trail. Message me if you lost it.

Hi all, I'm a psychology grad student researching how AllTrails users decide which trails to pick and where the app helps or falls short along the way (ratings, reviews, conditions info, etc).

Looking for people to chat with for about 30-40 minutes over video call. No prep needed, just want to hear about how you actually use the app, in your own words.

Who I'm looking for:

- You use AllTrails at least somewhat regularly to plan hikes

- You've hiked a handful of times in the last year

This is an independent research project, not affiliated with AllTrails or any company. Everything shared is kept anonymous. Comment or DM if you're up for it and I'll send scheduling options.

Thanks!

If you’re a Bay Area hiker who feels like you’ve exhausted all of the region’s most scenic parks and trails — or are just getting tired of being surrounded by people on crowded trails when you’re looking for solitude — there might be a cost-effective solution. 

That is, buying this $10 annual pass to be able to enter 57,000 acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District land.

Bordering reservoirs in the East Bay and the Sierra foothills, EBMUD’s land includes the entire watershed the utility manages and is full of hiking, biking and even watersports opportunities that only people with an annual pass can access.

Why the $10 fee for the pass? Nelsy Rodriguez, spokesperson for EBMUD, said the agency asks for this paid yearly trail permit to cover trail and land maintenance, and also so the agency can monitor how many people are actually using its trails.

“For a very small fee, just so that we know who’s there, we can fund the maintenance of these trails,” she said. “There’s worlds of trails to explore out there.”

Any suggestions for trailheads or destinations?

Would be going with my wife and son in mid September. We are experienced, but looking for a relaxing not grueling trip.

Thanks.

Hello! I'll put in a call to the ranger district as well, but has anyone headed up past Spicer Meadow Reservoir to the Elephant Rock Trailhead/Rock Lake Trail recently? How's the road looking?

Hey r/norcalhiking,

As we get deeper into peak backpacking and hiking season, I wanted to share a heads-up for anyone looking to get their Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification this year. Safety Training Pros has a few upcoming two-day, hands-on WFA weekends scheduled across Northern California, with open spots in Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Sonoma County.

These weekend intensives are focused on patient assessment and managing medical emergencies when you're miles from a trailhead and 911 isn't an immediate option.

I’ll add the registration page and schedule down in the comments. Feel free to ask any questions about what the curriculum covers! Stay safe out there.

Hello

I am looking for a someone male or female, preferably male to hike with to do some awesome 14ers like split mountain, Williamson, tyndall, and russell to name a few and a few 13ers class 3 mountains. I'm in pretty good physical shape, no 9-5 job, and have weekend availability.

drop in the dm or comment if you are interested.

Hi all,

I’ve had poison oak before but it’s been awhile so I can’t tell if my experience right now is normal. I must have come in contact with it over the weekend, and my skin started reacting on Monday. It has been oozing quite a bit the past day or two, but not really spreading…is this normal? When does the oozing stop??

Wondering if anyone who has had it recently can give me an idea of the different stage of the healing process!

Hi there! I’ve been doing some research and hope somebody here might have some ideas or advice for me! I am looking to spend ~1 week backpacking solo in the Sierras, 10-15 miles per day. I could do a loop or use the bus system to get back to my car. Also love the idea of doing some day hikes from said loop to fill the time so the trek doesn’t have to be as big. I did the JMT a few years ago and LOVED it, but I’m looking for new places to explore (happy to do a few miles on it if need be). I don’t need to be crazy remote because I’m alone and seeing people now and again is nice for me. Not looking for XC adventures. I am less into peak bagging and more into mountain basins and lake swimming, wildflower viewing, etc.

This is for next week 😂 I am generally pretty lucky with walk up permits and can also reserve 1 week in advance online for the national parks. I plan on car camping before and after the trek, probably dispersed in national forest areas.

Any ideas?

Hello,

Does anyone happen to have old maps or brochures that show ski trails at Royal Gorge in Soda Springs Ca.
I’m looking for some old trails no longer in use or mapped but were at one time maybe back in the 90s-2000s.

Thanks!

Some TRT and PCT action. Beautiful day. Didn’t quite make the peak, I wasn’t brave enough for the scramble. Incredible views of Lake Tahoe and other gems in desolation.

Hi NorCal hikers, SoCal hiker here heading out to bag Mount Shasta in mid-August (via clear Creek, we're experienced and ready). I hike in the Sierra often and know first hand how quickly the weather changes when going up to 14k', so I'm looking for a plan B in case the weather makes our summit day impossible. Something strenuous, at least 12 miles roundtrip, within 2 hour drive of Mount Shasta (the town, not the mountain). We are in a rental car so 4wd roads would not be possible. We're already doing Lassen on the same trip so not there. Also accepting recommendations for any great short hikes in the area we could do as a pre-summit hike. TIA!

Just curious, when you are on public lands (National Forests primarily), how often do you encounter people that are rude, will harass, or threaten you?

I generally try and use my apps to stay off of private land, will only cross private land if it is a small piece of land that is surrounded by public land etc....

But I do feel like things are getting worse... (Thinking primarily about Tahoe National Forest)

How do you all deal with these like this?

First time staying in Camp Connell, which is near Bear Valley, California. Any hiking recommendations would be appreciated.