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Mission Impossible? Easyish, quiet, scenic one night (Saturday night) backpacking trip in SF Bay Area for June


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Home Forums Campfire Trip Planning Mission Impossible? Easyish, quiet, scenic one night (Saturday night) backpacking trip in SF Bay Area for June

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • #1304215
    Rafi Harzahav
    Spectator

    @rhz10

    Locale: SF Bay Area

    Hi,

    I'd like to introduce a friend to backpacking by means of a simple, one-night trip within 1-2 hours of San Jose. I'm a little stumped. Henry Coe (along with most east bay options) is too hot and dry. Point Reyes and Big Basin are fully booked.

    Any other quiet, off-the-radar options anyone can suggest?

    Thanks everyone!

    rhz

    #1996653
    peter vacco
    Member

    @fluffinreach-com

    Locale: no. california

    high rocks trail out of calistoga.

    #1996705
    Ken Helwig
    BPL Member

    @kennyhel77

    Locale: Scotts Valley CA via San Jose, CA

    Ventana Wilderness. There are a few places within the Santa Cruz Mtns for backpacking too.

    #1996711
    Rafi Harzahav
    Spectator

    @rhz10

    Locale: SF Bay Area

    Hi Ken,

    Thanks. One possibility would be Vicente Flat in Ventana. Do you know of others that are similarly easy (no trails overgrown with poison oak, etc). As for the Santa Cruz mountains, I once stayed at Shaw Flat camp once–it was surprisingly crowded. We were lucky to get a place. Can you recommend others destinations (Butano? etc)

    Thanks again,

    rhz

    #1996717
    Ken Helwig
    BPL Member

    @kennyhel77

    Locale: Scotts Valley CA via San Jose, CA

    Portola is nice

    http://www.virtualparks.org/parks/portola-qtvr-map.html

    I have hiked from Vicente Flats to Pine Valley. You hike about a 1000 feet in elevation lose to get down there and then of course you have to hike out. There are some great campsites along the river. You can have fires there too. Just keep in mind that the road to Vicente Flat is quite rough….just drive slow and you'll be ok.

    As for other places in Ventana, just google backpacking Ventana and you'll come up with many options. Also Castle Rock is available, but it is a short hike. Never too crowded neither.

    #1996755
    Rex Sanders
    BPL Member

    @rex

    Butano State Park, backcountry camp in the redwoods. No reservations.

    Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, another backcountry camp in the redwoods. No reservations.

    Pescadero Creek Park, two backcountry camps in the redwoods. No reservations.

    — Rex

    #1997341
    James DeGraaf
    BPL Member

    @jdegraaf

    Locale: Bay Area

    +1 for Pescadero Creek. Mostly easy hiking, (compared to Henry Coe), the price is right ($10 per night if I remember correctly), I think fires are permited in rings.
    I've had trouble with some very bold raccoons there, juas a heads up. Stop by Alice's for buger's afterword, you deserve it.
    -James

    #1997347
    Richard Scruggs
    BPL Member

    @jrscruggs

    Locale: Oregon

    Kirby Cove in Golden Gate National Recreation Area looks like a nice, easy one night camping trip in SF area (one mile hike in), particularly for a first-timer experience:

    http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/kirby.htm

    Haven't been there, but plan to check it out next time in SF area.

    Angel Island looks interesting, too, with a ferry ride to get there —

    http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60713-d208341-Reviews-Angel_Island_State_Park-San_Francisco_California.html

    #2016559
    Rafi Harzahav
    Spectator

    @rhz10

    Locale: SF Bay Area

    Hi,

    So, this trip got pushed out until this coming weekend. My friend is very interested in Big Sur. Route 1 to Vicente Flats is short (5 mile) but may involve too much climbing (2K ft) for a newbie. Any other scenic (and not too crowded) ideas?

    Thanks again!

    rhz

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