There are times of the year that hiking in California is so beautiful that you will want to go every weekend! Maybe even take a week and see more than one area of the state on different trails. If you are looking for some of the best hiking trails around rivers, glaciers, deserts, the coastline or the grasslands California has it all.
If you choose Mount Tallac you will have a 9.4 mile round trip hike with elevations reaching 9,735 ft. with a gain of 3,255 ft during the hike. Make sure you bring lots of water, you are working hard and your body needs to have the fluids replenished to sustain the healthy level you need for this type of hike. There are both wooded areas and flatlands for you to enjoy on this hike. It is considered to be one of the best hiking trails at Lake Tahoe where you will enjoy the beautiful views from the summit. When you get to the switchbacks toward the top you will experience a real change to hot, just be ready for it.
The hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is 7.2 miles round trip. The elevation at the summit is 6,526 ft and an elevation gain of 2,700 ft. You will want to do this hike from May to jUly when the waterfall is at its full force and most beautiful. You will hike through switchbacks in the forested area before coming to the flat area with your first view of the falls. Enjoy the mist from the falls as you get closer to it. You will face another set of switchbacks before reaching the summit. These are the most difficult and very steep so if you aren’t in good physical condition you will want to pass on this part.
Let’s switch areas and go to Mosaic Canyon and look at the hike that is available there. The trail is just 2.5 miles round trip. It is best to take this one from December to March to avoid the extreme heat of the desert. Be sure to bring plenty of water, you’ll need it. While hiking on the mountains is fabulous so is canyon hiking. The canyon formations are beautiful. You may even see some desert life on your hike. This is the hottest place in the US so be sure to pack in lots of water..regardless of the time of year.
Back to the mountains and this time it’s the really high hike. Prepare for Mt. Shasta, the most challenging trail in California. The trial is 12 miles round trip and the summit is 14,179 ft with an elevation gain of 7,259 ft. You will work on this trail to see the beauty. The time to plan this hike is from May to mid July due to the unpredictable weather in the spring and the lava rocks and rolling boulders that come crashing down the mountain after the snow melt in the summer. Not only is this more than a hike, you will have issues with altitude sicknes if you are not careful so make sure you go with a partner for safety and practical reasons. Read all you can about this hike before you begin, it’s not one for the faint of heart.
Going on a hike on Mt. Shasta will provide you with a different view and challenge. You will need sunscreen, sunglasses, an ice axe and shelter. Since you won’t have much warning if the weather is going to turn on you take the shelter to offer protection when, and if, you need it. Bring along your crampons, helmet, summit pass, and winter boots and wear extra layers of cloths, and again, plenty of water. The snow around Helen’s Lake is contaminated by human and animal urine so don’t plan on drinking melted snow or ice…nasty!
Another of the biggest challenges for a hiker is Half Dome which is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to reach the summit of 8,842. You will need to plan this one for between late May and early October. Hearing about this hike at Yosemite National Park has brought people from all over the world here to take the challenge. Because of the difficulty of this climb (hike) if you aren’t in superior physical shape with lots of hiking experience behind you, pass on this one. You will face switchbacks that are rocky causing many ankles to be injured, be careful. Nevada Falls is the halfway point on this hike. When you reach it you should take some time to assess your strengths and skills before continuing on. The climb gets tougher from here on and if you aren’t ready for it not only will you be miserable, you can expect to get hurt. If you aren’t in good shape, turn around at this point and go back, you’ve still done more than most people. If you decide to go on know that the hike will be very steep, excruciatingly hard and long before you reach the back of Half Dome rock. The switchbacks assault your body during this whole phase and you aren’t done yet! Half Dome cables will both shock and send fear into you (at least they should) so assess your ability to go on. If you are sure you can, the success of the climb will give you a fabulous view of Yosemite Valley below and bragging rights for the rest of your life!
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