Alternative trails in California

Henry Coe

Santa Cruz Mtns

Point Reyes

Sunol Wilderness (East Bay)

Big Sur-Ventana Wilderness

Snow Mtn Wilderness (might be too much snow, hence the name)

Cache Creek Wilderness

lost coast

Sunol-Del Valle (“Ohlone Wilderness”) Trail.  Surprisingly remote for how close it is. You need a $2 permit from East Bay Parks but it’s mostly to give you a map and the rules.   Waterfall, eagles, some peak-bagging options.  Either set up a shuttle or bounce it.  28 miles from Fremont to Livermore, 6500′ of climbing.  Or you can trim 8 miles from it.

Here’s a good overview with lots of helpful links:

http://www.trailstompers.com/uploads/2/6/8/6/2686411/sunol_to_del_valle_trail_run_map.pdf

Lassen. I haven’t checked on its status but it starts pretty low. Doubtless there’s still snow higher up but the peak may be baggable in a day hike if the snow is firm. Others may have more to say. It’s pretty down low!

The road through Lassen is still closed because of winter snow conditions.

It is an excellent destination for some spring snow camping and snow shoeing!

Grouse Ridge/Grouse Lakes Basin area off Hwy 20 and 80.  It’s lower elevation than most Sierra destinations.

Great suggestions above.

I’m in the same boat as you and have recently started taking a slightly different approach than your typical backpacking trip. There are many trails on or near the coast that are accessible year round, but few allow overnight “primitive” camping. However, there are many State and County campgrounds connected, or nearby, to good trail systems. So, I’ll grab a campsite for a night or two, day hike the nearby trails, and return to my campsite each evening.

Wonderful insights all!
been hoping to do big sure pine valley trail this weekend but it looks like they still have some road closures so maybe Henry Coe will do for now :)

will check the other options. Thanks again

Richardson’s Grove California State Park is fairly nice and has nice day hikes from the Campground

Point Reyes is stunning, and you can’t get lower than sea level. Loads of cool hikes and more wildlife than you will see in any of the alternatives.

Of course, you CAN get lower in Death Valley.  But it will be hot and dry.  Overnights are possible.  Longer hikes are a real challenge because of the need to carry water.

I’ll second Lost Coast. Was just up there for some car caping and hiked part of the Lost Coast Trail during the day. Stunning landscape and just amazing. Lots of wildlife…elephant seals, seals, lots of birds. If you’re planning to do the Lost Coast Trail you’ll need a permit and those are all takin until winter of this year. Permits for 2024 are issued first come, first served starting October 2023. It’s also a bit of pain to get there, but well worth it! Ran into a couple hikers who were doing the trail as an out and back (25 miles each way), but most people do it one way starting at Mattole Campground and end in Shelter Cove. They’ll leave their vehicle in Shelter Cove and pay a shuttle service to get them to the Mattole Camp Trailhead. I’m hoping to do the Lost Coast Trail next spring and was going to shuttle it with a friend, but the drive to retrieve your other vehicle would take several hours and it jsut makes sense to drive up in one vehicle and pay to be shuttled to the trail head.

Hi all

thanks for all the suggestions, adding some more areas since this season is unusual.
I did alder creek around Wawona a few weeks ago, it was great. Also got a last minute permit to twin lake in desolation wilderness and it was amazing. Tons of trails to explore.
next weekend I might try one of the options mentioned above. I am keeping lost coast for the winter mostly because I don’t have a permit :)

Montana De Oro

https://highway1roadtrip.com/things-to-do/montana-de-oro-state-park/

There used to be a trail just north of Big Sur Village, where the Big Sur river meets the ocean. Walk in campground on the west side of Hwy.1.

Good spot for fly fishing or sitting on the bank and dropping some eggs. If it’s still allowed.

Bruce provided a great list.  I favor ventana, other than the hike to sykes hot spring it’s pretty easy to find solitude and no trail quotas.

I love the lost coast, but it’s a pretty long drive from the South Bay, and permits a really tight.  Don’t expect to get a permit for a last minute trip.

if you don’t mind being a bit closer to civilization, you can chain the open space, county and state parks  together.  A full circle of the Bay Area report by Manfred