Weekend Trip ideas needed (3/28 – 3/29) near San Francisco

If you're in Fremont you are really close to Coe. That's where I would go.

Pinnacles are lovely, but are day-hiking only, I believe. Coe has tons of trails, and despite the much lower elevation that the Sierra, some surprisingly steep climbs.

Here's a link to a recent trip report to Coe on Highsierratopix:

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12450

H. Coe is one of mÿ favoŗite places but this time of year I would have to chose Pt. Ŗeyes… last I looked no ocean in TN…

It is whale migration time now too.

It's always tick season, so remember to bring some bug juice.

–B.G.–

My wife and I spent 3 days bikepacking in Coe last weekend, and all day hiking in Point Reyes today. Coe is really good right now-everything is green and the wild flowers are very good. Bass fishing is excellent, but you'll have to go at least 12 miles each way to get to it. Mississippi Lake is the closest, but the fishing is even better if you can do a round trip closer to 40 miles like we did.

Point Reyes is okay, but other than the ocean, which is good, it wasn't too exciting. The backpacking hikes are just a few miles from roads and this seems to attract a relatively high number of novice backpackers visiting from SF.

I might be traveling from the Bay Area to the Reno area during this interview. Is there anything exciting between the two? Where can I find the conditions on the PCT near Tahoe?

Do you have a car with chains or cables? I80 requires chains or cables be carried with your vehicle. Some passes require them to cross; some passes are closed (Sonora, Tioga). Rental cars usually do not want you to put traction devices on their cars!!

Do you have snow gear? 3 – 5" fell yesterday around Tahoe area, with varying depths of 36 – 50" already present. Just because it's a severe drought doesn't mean no snow… snow showers are tapering off this morning, but it'll be on the ground.

UPDATE: I misspoke – chains on the car are required on 80, in some sections.

You can keep an eye on the i80 chain requirements here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=i80

Avalanche advisories and observations are here:
http://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/

Personally I think you’re rather unlikely to need chains in the current conditions. If your car doesn’t have AWD, you can likely buy chains on the way. There’s a chance weather might try to sneak in around next Tuesday, but it’s still too early to say. Usually unless you try to go through in a storm, the roads are fine once the plows have had a go at them.

If you want snow, around Donner Summit on 80 seems best for your route. You can try hiking up Donner Peak, or Castle. The snow coverage will be pretty thin in many areas. It’s been about three weeks since I was last there, but I don’t think that much has fallen since. If the hike to Castle is the same as a month ago, I’d bring crampons for the trail, and above the ridge may still be relatively bare. The North face of Donner Peak may have a few feet of snow in places, but thin in others. You will likely find use for an axe there. You can try going to the top, or explore around the snowsheds.

-J

Wow, I didn't think that the interstate could be that bad (possibly) from the Bay to Reno. I'm from northern Ohio originally and I'm used to living and driving in snow all winter, but I'm not used to high altitude mountain conditions.

I'll push for an AWD or 4WD car for my trip. I'm not afraid to go anywhere, and I have decent winter gear (plus I would love the excuse to buy a little more). I would need to rent or buy snowshoes, crampons, and/or an ice axe. I've never snowshoed before (I've skied a good bit, but it was years ago). Is there somewhere along I80 (an hour or two off one side or the other is fine) that would make a nice adventure?

"I'll push for an AWD or 4WD car for my trip."

You are still required to carry chains in the mountains.

–B.G.–

"You are still required to carry chains in the mountains."

Same thing on I-5 on Oregon/California border. And several passes North of Grants Pass.

But, that's ridiculous – there is no snow or ice anywhere, temps no where close to freezing.

I've heard people talking about getting cheap chains, even though they don't fit, just to meet requirement – again, ridiculous.

I don't think you would get a ticket for not having chains unless conditions were bad and you needed them. Look at weather reports – if it's above freezing at night don't worry about it?

Has anyone ever got a ticket for not having chains, when they were required, but conditions didn't warrant it?

My information is that nobody is checking for chains in your car unless chains are required on the road at the time.

You could do a side trip to Loch Leven Lakes, beginning from the exit called "Big Bend", about 15 miles west of Donner Summit. The elevation is about 5000 feet so I doubt you'll find much snow there, if any. The hike is a few miles each way and you'll get a taste of the Sierra-granite everywhere, clear blue lakes (if they're not still frozen), and the general Sierra forest scene.

In general, the farther south you go right now, the higher the snow level. In Yosemite snow starts at around 8,000- 8,500 feet right now.

I'll buy chains if I have to. If I end up moving here they'll come in handy anyway.

Has anyone had any experience with Alpine Skills International? They're near Donner Pass on I80, and they have an snow/ice climbing class this Sunday that I might be able to get into if it would be worth my time:
http://alpineskills.com/snowice_iceaxe.html

I can swing the money, I might not get a chance to be in the area ever again and I'm not going to miss out.

"But, that's ridiculous – there is no snow or ice anywhere, temps no where close to freezing."

Donner Summit (I-80) just got several inches of new snow within the last 48 hours. Caltrans will get that removed quickly. However, it does set the highway up for the potential of chain requirements.

The problem with "when conditions warrant it" is that who is to be the judge of the conditions? Too many drivers say "It doesn't look bad at all." Then they go flying into some highway section at normal speed. One icy patch on the curve, and then it is all over.

–B.G.–

"I'll buy chains if I have to. If I end up moving here they'll come in handy anyway."

Are you going to buy chains to fit the rental car, or for your personal car?

If you are headed toward the mountains, the automotive stores selling chains tend to jack up their prices whenever there is new snow. OTOH, when you are a long way from the snow (e.g. the coast), then stores do not stock much in the way of chains, or at least they will be out of stock on the size you need.

–B.G.–

My personal car (4WD Ram 1500) is staying in Tennessee, so I'll be buying chains for the rental car if I have to. I can order a set from Amazon for $31 and have them shipped two-day for free (Prime member), so I'm not that worried about it. I still don't have the details for my interview figured out completely, and the weather is certainly not constant. I'll know my schedule and what I'm renting tomorrow (hopefully), which gives me enough time to deal with the chain issue. If I have to buy overpriced chains for $100 at a truck stop, so be it.

Robert
If you're interested in a class you will need to contact ASI-asap. During the Winter/Spring they are usually based at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. However, due to low snow, Sugar Bowl is now closed as of 3/22. But-maybe ASI still maintains their small operation there for now even though the main ski resort is closed. Ask! Their main office is in Truckee, on Donner Pass Road, yes, but in the town of Truckee, not at the Pass. Phone numbers for both locations are on their website. I'd check with them to see if the class is still viable and check on conditions-limited or good and where you'll be going. Some snow fell last night/this morning early but not much at all. No chains needed now and unless it really snows a lot or is very icy Donner Pass is usually open or, if closed, quickly re-opened -maybe slow to very slow traffic for safety but you can check on status of all roads in CA with the link given in an above post. That report is changed frequently and is a reliable source of info. for road conditions and whether chains are required. ASI staff should also be able to tell you if it's viable to snowshoe or hike up to Castle Peak and other places in the area.

Pt. Reyes backpack camps are often full on weekends -reservations needed far in advance, weekdays are often open. Coast camp is nice and you can take the Coastal trail in either directions for good hikes. Wildcat camp is also very nice. Weather has been good there. Don't go near Arch Rock, recent cliff failure caused one death and signs warn of this danger. Trails go around the closed area.

Coe is also fine at this time and much easier to get campsites or open backcountry camping.

If you're staying in the Bay Area, just north of S.F. is Mt. Tamalpais. First-come camping is available at Pan Toll. From there you can go on Matt Davis trail, on to Coastal trail, then up to Rock Springs, back to Pan Toll, for a great hike with distant ocean views of Stinson Beach, Bolinas and maybe The Farallon Islands. Other loops easy to combine. No, not the Sierra nor the solitude you might seek but if you need to stay in S.F. area it's doable. Muir Woods redwoods are close by.

Hope you get in a good hike/backpack while you're out here. Good luck with the interview.

Jane

Robert – March/April is the best time of year for hiking in the Bay Area. We've had a dreadful drought for the past few years, so the flowers are not great, but they are blooming now. Everything is green. There are dozens of overnight hikes you can do in the area that don't require a car. We just finished an 11-day trip that passed through parts of Fremont. The trip report includes links to other possibilities.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=101397

Or, if you've got a car and don't mind driving, Big Sur area is another option, for example:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=39869

Or, if you're willing to think outside the box, then hike two or three days of the SF Stairway 80 mile route.
http://amyl.smugmug.com/Backpacking/BayArea/201403-SF-Stairs

This is one of my favorite overnight hikes in the Bay Area and is easy in terms of logistics:

You've had some really good suggestions above. Here are a few more.

Big Basin State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains has a great hike out to Berry Falls.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26658 general information page on backpacking in Big Basin SP plus other nearby state parks

http://www.redwoodhikes.com/BigBasin/BerryCreek.html hike specific information page

Problem is the Sunset Camp is likely booked on the weekend. It's a great hike in the redwoods past several beautiful waterfalls. Now is a good time to go while there's still water flowing. Put it on your list for next time you're out here.

Butano SP is just northwest of Big Basin and has back country camping first come first serve. You get redwood hiking but miss out on the great waterfalls of Big Basin.

Angel Island SP, in the SF Bay, has walk-in sites with spectacular views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. Once again, you need reservations in advance most of the time.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468

If you decide to day hike instead, the loop Jane suggested for Mt. Tamalpais in Marin is great. Then go to the top of the mountain for a great view of the Bay Area. For more of a wilderness experience, Henry Coe.

Good luck with the interview.

Ventana Wilderness (Big Sur). Botchers Gap to the Ventana Double Cone. 15 miles in, 15 miles out. Be prepared for trail overgrowth and poison oak. Perfect time of year for this hike.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I ended up flying into Reno on Saturday, and spent Sunday taking the Alpine Skills International snow climbing course at the Sugar Bowl ski area. I had a blast and learned how to use some new gear, and I met some awesome people too. I didn't end up with much free time in Fremont, so I only did a few walks around the area and next to the bay.

Now that I've gotten a taste of snow climbing, I'm looking forward to tackling something like Mt. Shasta in a year or two, and then maybe something like Rainier.

Sugar Bowl had snow? Where, specifically?

–B.G.–

Sugar Bowl was probably about 30% snow covered. We chose a north-facing slope that gradually got steeper as you ascended but had a nice run-out if a self arrest failed (it was right below the Crow's Nest lift). I would guess it was the run called "Pony Express" on their trail map.