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

[Rafi Harzahav]

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

[peter vacco]

high rocks trail out of calistoga.

[Ken Helwig]

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

[Rafi Harzahav]

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

[Ken Helwig]

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.

[Rex Sanders]

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

[James DeGraaf]

+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

[Richard Scruggs]

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

[Rafi Harzahav]

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

[Author]

Posts