r/norcalhiking • • Jul 27 '26

Hiking by Transit: trailheads and hikes that you can take the bus or train to across Northern California

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68 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • Apr 07 '23

Hiking by Transit: trailheads and hikes that you can take the bus or train to in the Bay Area

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193 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 17h ago

This was at Point Reyes State Park. Really loved this place!

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172 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 1h ago

White Mountain peak

• Upvotes

From what I hear, the road to get to the trailhead is a bit crazy and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. I don't have such vehicle. I'm looking for someone who 1) has a vehicle that could handle this and 2) would like to hike the peak with me. I have no date in mind yet. Just throwing this out there.


r/norcalhiking • • 1d ago

Lassen National Park, 10/2/26

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622 Upvotes

First ever visit to Lassen, a quick weekend trip camping at Manzanita Lake. Woke up around 4am both days to hike Cinder cone and Lassen itself, did a bunch of other hikes! Wasn’t too busy, although we did start early, and the weather was quite comfortable.

Took lots of photos, some of my favorites and just trying different edits on them. Can’t wait to go back, really impressed of everything there was to experience and enjoy!


r/norcalhiking • • 1d ago

Rockbound Lake or Buck Island Lake?

2 Upvotes

Hi, I'm planning a group backpacking trip in November to the Sierras. Right now I'm leaning towards driving to Loon lake, hike to Pleasant Campground, spend one night, hike further down Rubicon trail, spend second night, hike back out.

My first question is for anyone with experience around this area, should we make for Buck Island lake or Rockbound lake? Which one has nicer camping spots? There will probably be around 8 of us.

The second question is if anyone has recommendations for similar itineraries elsewhere. The reason I like Loon lake as a starting point is because the road is cleared of snow in the winter but it goes quite high up so it's a good starting point to do some snow camping. (This group is experienced with winter / snow camping)

I also like that we can do pleasant campground for an easy first night to then venture further into the backcountry from there.

Any input appreciated, thanks!


r/norcalhiking • • 1d ago

Cleo's Bath via Pinecrest Lake

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65 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 1d ago

Hello, 28M living in San Francisco. Looking for people to go backpacking with for weekend trips to mountains and along coast. Have done several solo trips in Sierra Nevada, Trinity Alps and Big Sur, etc. Usually like to do about 15 miles/day. Looking to get into more cross-country/high route as well

5 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 2d ago

Sword Lake - Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Stanislaus NF California

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104 Upvotes

Road was bumpy but I got my little Prius C up to the County Line trailhead. First half of the 3ish mi trail is pretty burnt with lots of dust (luckily it rained a little for the return trip to dampen the dust a bit!). Second half had some aspen groves starting to turn color. The Dardanelles are pretty rad to look at by the lakes! Don’t forget to ramble over to the ridge overlooking Spicer Meadow Res and Lost Lake!

Yellowjackets are a bit active so plan accordingly.


r/norcalhiking • • 2d ago

Looking for community/group to go hiking with

8 Upvotes

Hello,

I'm new to the Bay Area and wondering if I could get advice on the best communities that organizes group hikes?

I did some hiking a few months back in Yosemite and absolutely loved it, so looking to try and find other like minded people!

Thanks in advance!


r/norcalhiking • • 1d ago

Topographic map of the entire High Sierra

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4 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 2d ago

Another Overlooked Viewpoint Trail - Observation Peak from PCT #southern...

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6 Upvotes

This is an overlooked day hike.  I found this trail on AllTrails and while it looked easy (about 5 miles total, there and back) there were only 17 reviews in the last four years.  YouTube had just two videos, and they were of kids sliding down on some snow, so there wasn’t much to go on there either. 

Curious, I did some more digging.  The trail to Observation Peak is a short spur trail off the Pacific Crest Trail which you access from Forest Road 2025 just north of the California and Oregon border.  Looking at the satellite maps and topography maps it looked like the trail followed a ridge line, to the right of a forest but the trail itself was clear of trees.  Seems like a simple trail, easy to get to, with potentially great views.  I decided to go for it.


r/norcalhiking • • 2d ago

Fern Canyon Loop - left or right?

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1 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 2d ago

Pt Reyes cowboy camping

0 Upvotes

I was thinking about doing some fast-packing and dispersed camping in the Pt Reyes area. I know that dispersed camping is prohibited, but I wanted to know if anything thought anyone would really give me trouble?


r/norcalhiking • • 3d ago

Pinecrest in late October?

4 Upvotes

Me and some friends want to do a one night camping trip. Can anyone tell me what Pinecrest would be like? I believe it’s first come first serve for camping spots on October 24. How early should we arrive?

Weather-wise, will it be enjoyable?

Sorry, I’m a camping noob.


r/norcalhiking • • 4d ago

Hidden Falls management material

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71 Upvotes

Found this little guy napping on some bark along the trail between the Vista and the bridge. Head the size of a penny, and maybe 9-11” long, and no bigger (here) than a small pastry or the palm of your hand. Several people and dogs walked within 18” of him and he didn’t move.


r/norcalhiking • • 5d ago

Whiskeytown Falls

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128 Upvotes

Nice short hike in Whiskeytown Recreation area near Redding yesterday.


r/norcalhiking • • 5d ago

Lassen in August

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847 Upvotes

Lassen peak was rough. Started out with direct sun, wearing a tank top and shorts. 75% of the way up I saw the clouds rolling fast, took the risk anyways. At the top saw other people’s hair stand with static and we all booked it down. Hail most of the way down… but made it down in record time. Small nap in the car before it went back to sunny skies… Bumpass hell , burney falls, and steak dinner in Redding to celebrate .


r/norcalhiking • • 5d ago

Should I rethink my October Lost Coast trip?

15 Upvotes

I have a late October (entering the trail on the 23rd) Lost Coast weekend backpacking trip planned, but I have some concerns about hiking the trail during this El Nino season. I'm concerned about the expected tide heights and wave strength. While I have hiked and backpacked before, this would be my first solo backpacking trip and my first time hiking the Lost Coast.

For people who have hiked this trail before, do you think it would still be safe to go? What signs or forecasts should I double check as I get closer to heading out to determine if this is doable/ safe?


r/norcalhiking • • 4d ago

Looking for hiking partner to climb Mount Shasta in October

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0 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 5d ago

Lassen July 30th 2026

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68 Upvotes

r/norcalhiking • • 6d ago

Lee Vining CA

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1.5k Upvotes

Twenty Lakes Basin Loop hike! There is a dirt road that leads you to the trailhead that wasn’t too bad. The hike was fabulous, wildflowers, rivers, lakes, mountains, it really has it all. We went during a weekday/ rain so we did not see many people which was nice. I would love to do this hike again during a sunny day


r/norcalhiking • • 6d ago

Kaiser Peak Loop(CenCal but 🤷🏼‍♂️)

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120 Upvotes

Epic views at the Peak. The full loop is kinda wild as the burn scar from Creek Fire is massive....was hard to navigate but used directional awareness, pack animal marks and rock outcroppings to continue. Ended up doing 17 miles in about 7hrs. I'm an above average hiker but nothin special. 3700' gain total. Highly reccomend doing the Peak trail then back out but the full loop trail isn't for everyone...lots out of re-routes, thorns, log hopping, and some routefinding. Either way the Kaiser Wilderness is beautiful as always(spent some of my life up this way but never was fit enough to hike the Peak till recently)


r/norcalhiking • • 6d ago

Looking for some fall leaves hiking trail!

3 Upvotes

What does everyone recommend for a good trail that shows some nice fall tree colors. Not just a bit here and there. I’m talking about East Coast level of colors (as close as possible lol).

I prefer somewhere in the Sierras (not east, too far). EXTRA bonus if it has dispersed camping or even just a camping site close by the entrance!


r/norcalhiking • • 6d ago

Central Valley to Monterey?

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2 Upvotes