I’m undoubtedly biased, however I believe my residence state of California has some really world-class backpacking. From rugged shoreline to fascinating desert geology to the unbelievable excessive Sierra mountains, there’s one thing for each backpacker right here within the third-largest US state.
As a lifelong Californian and avid backpacker I’ve had the pleasure of setting foot on numerous trails throughout this huge state. Backpacking in California is extremely diversified, and after dwelling right here for many years I nonetheless haven’t hiked each path on my want listing. Not even shut! However I’m intimately aware of among the state’s greatest backpacking locations, and on this submit I’ll share them with you.
In the event you weren’t already dreaming about backpacking in California, you’ll be after studying this listing! I hope it conjures up a couple of additions to your bucket listing. Pleased trails!
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon Nationwide Parks
Location: japanese central and southern California
Climbing season: July – September, relying on circumstances
Highlights: among the most gorgeous alpine surroundings within the US and probably the world; difficult big-mountain climbs and descents; intensive path community with many choices; remoteness means few day hikers and a way of solitude
Drawbacks: lengthy drive from most locations; permits may be laborious to get; bear canisters are required for backpacking; climbing and excessive altitude may be difficult; mosquitos may be dangerous in early summer season
Sequoia and Kings Canyon is actually my favourite place to go backpacking in California, and probably the complete nation. These collectively administered nationwide parks and surrounding nationwide forests type an immense area of towering bushes, jagged granite peaks, and excessive alpine basins studded with crystal-clear lakes. The Sierra Crest, which types the japanese border of those parks, boasts twelve of California’s fifteen tallest peaks!
This a part of the excessive Sierra is huge and distant, and just about each backpacking journey right here begins with a burly a number of thousand foot climb to a excessive move. Convey your climbing legs and acclimate to the altitude beforehand! A allow system helps protect a way of solitude however could make widespread routes aggressive.
I first backpacked on this area whereas mountain climbing the 210 mile John Muir Path and was immediately hooked. The 65 mile Excessive Sierra Path is one other wonderful iconic route. Shorter prospects are considerable, and the path community lends itself particularly nicely to loop routes of various lengths, for instance the Mineral King Loop and variations.
Dying Valley Nationwide Park
Location: japanese southern California
Climbing season: spring, fall, winter at low elevations
Highlights: attention-grabbing desert landscapes and foliage; go to the bottom level within the 48 contiguous states; hike via washes and canyons; extra selection than you’d count on, together with tall mountains
Drawbacks: not many backpacking routes; not a variety of path (you’ll typically be mountain climbing on filth roads or in washes); restricted water; dangerously scorching in summer season
When the excessive mountains of the Sierra are blanketed in snow, devoted backpackers flip to the desert. Dying Valley Nationwide Park has comparatively few trails, however its distinctive and surprisingly diversified surroundings lands it a spot on my listing of favourite California backpacking spots. A brief 2-3 day backpacking journey is the proper method to get to know this fascinating panorama, and there’s loads else to see by automotive whilst you’re within the space.
Desert backpacking has its personal distinct vibe; you’ll end up mountain climbing in sandy washes, scrambling via canyons, and keeping track of your water provide. Positively keep away from backpacking in Dying Valley throughout the warmth of summer season; sadly the park’s identify rings all too true every now and then and hikers have died from warmth exhaustion.
Probably the most well-known backpacking route in Dying Valley is the Cottonwood Marble Canyon Loop, a 30 mile route composed of filth roads, sandy washes, cross-country journey, and lightweight scrambling. Bighorn Gorge is one other attention-grabbing canyon route greatest completed as an out-and-back the place you hike right into a base camp and discover the higher gorge with day packs.
Henry Coe State Park
Location: western northern California, close to SF Bay Space
Climbing season: spring (preferrred), fall, winter if circumstances are dry
Highlights: loads of solitude; the one authorized dispersed tenting anyplace close to the Bay Space
Drawbacks: surprisingly steep and rugged, particularly the hearth roads; extremely popular in summer season; extra distant trails should not well-maintained; risk for ticks and poison oak
In the event you reside close to the San Francisco Bay Space, Henry Coe State Park stands out as the biggest and most rugged backpacking vacation spot inside a several-hour radius. As a substitute of mountains or desert, Henry Coe envelops you within the traditional central California panorama of hilly grasslands, oak savanna, and forested canyons.
Not like just about all over the place else within the Bay, the place advance reservations are wanted for particular campgrounds, Henry Coe permits dispersed tenting (camp the place you want, following Go away No Hint pointers). Permits are first-come first-served and never laborious to get. Go within the spring for the perfect wildflowers, fall for much more solitude, or maybe even winter when circumstances are dry. Summers may be extremely popular.
Don’t underestimate the ruggedness and remoteness of Henry Coe! A number of the “trails” are literally absurdly metal fireplace roads and the extra distant trails aren’t continuously maintained, particularly within the surprisingly distant Orestimba Wilderness on the north finish of the park. Enterprise far sufficient into the park and it’s possible you’ll go days with out seeing different folks, with simply the coyotes and deer to maintain you firm.
Yosemite Nationwide Park
Location: northern California
Climbing season: June – October, relying on circumstances
Highlights: world-famous surroundings; simply accessible trailheads
Drawbacks: widespread and really crowded; permits may be laborious to get; bear canisters required; mosquitos may be dangerous in early summer season
No listing of California’s greatest backpacking locations is full with out a point out of Yosemite Nationwide Park. This granite wonderland attracts guests from across the globe to its dramatic waterfalls and iconic rock faces.
The valley flooring and surrounding trails may be unpleasantly crowded with day hikers, however the views of well-known big-wall rock climbs like Half Dome and El Capitan are price it. Routes like Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Olmstead Level, Half Dome Loop absorb all of the highlights in comparatively few miles. The well-known John Muir Path begins in Yosemite Valley, and backpackers who enterprise a bit additional into the encompassing Yosemite Wilderness are rewarded with considerably quieter trails and among the greatest alpine backpacking within the nation.
Permits for backpacking in Yosemite are, unsurprisingly, extremely wanted. You’ll want to use by way of a lottery 24 weeks prematurely, and put together to battle the crowds in case your itinerary begins from the valley flooring. Bears are an enormous downside in Yosemite Nationwide Park, so bear canisters and correct meals storage are important right here.
Lake Tahoe
Location: northern California border with Nevada
Climbing season: July – September, relying on circumstances
Highlights: beautiful alpine surroundings; views of huge Lake Tahoe; straightforward accessibility; not too distant
Drawbacks: widespread and crowded; permits may be laborious to get for hottest trails; bear canisters required in Desolation Wilderness; mosquitos may be dangerous in early summer season
The Tahoe basin is a well-liked year-round journey vacation spot, particularly for snowboarding in winter. Throughout summer season it transforms right into a sunny out of doors playground and one of many premier spots for backpacking in northern California (and a little bit of Nevada, as huge Lake Tahoe straddles the border).
There’s undoubtedly a distinct vibe right here in comparison with the extra distant southern Sierra. Some trails may be unpleasantly busy with day hikers and mountain bikers in peak summer season months. However the accessibility additionally means the paths are straightforward to drive to and bail-out factors are by no means far. Thus it’s an ideal area for newer backpackers to chop their tooth on mountain backpacking with out getting in over their heads.
Probably the most prized scenic trails lie within the so-called Desolation Wilderness, a granite wonderland that’s really (regardless of its identify) one of many most-visited wilderness areas in the USA. I’ve backpacked many of the trails right here, together with a loop of the total wilderness, and it’s a shocking place.
In the event you can’t snag a allow for the most well-liked trails, don’t fear, the complete basin is ringed with Nationwide Forest land. If in case you have a couple of weeks in your fingers you possibly can even hike across the whole lake on the Tahoe Rim Path. It’s a uncommon loop-shaped via hike combining the vibe of an extended path with the straightforward logistics of ending the place you began.
Ventana Wilderness
Location: coastal central California
Climbing season: year-round relying on circumstances; spring is right
Highlights: gorgeous views of rugged Large Sur shoreline; comparatively uncrowded; no allow wanted; summit the tallest coastal mountain within the decrease 48
Drawbacks: many trails are overgrown and even impassible; poison oak and ticks; may be extremely popular and dry in summer season
The Ventana Wilderness, a part of Los Padres Nationwide Forest, flies underneath the radar however is one among my favourite California backpacking locations. From the rugged Large Sur shoreline you’ll climb chaparral-covered hills, traverse steep valleys, and luxuriate within the shade of pine forests on quiet trails with no allow necessities.
Don’t underestimate these trails although, as there’s a worth to pay for the solitude. The terrain is rugged and lots of trails should not well-maintained, so undoubtedly test path circumstances or danger an epic bushwhack. That is one among few locations the place I often put on lengthy pants and typically lengthy sleeves, even within the warmth, to fend off scratchy brush, poison oak, and ticks.
My favourite route right here is Cone Peak (Sea to Sky), a difficult climb to the summit of the tallest coastal mountain within the decrease 48. At simply over 5000 toes, Cone Peak dominates the Santa Lucia Mountains and presents dizzying views over the Pacific shoreline, only a few miles away because the crow flies. A a lot simpler and extra widespread backpacking route is the out-and-back to Sykes Scorching Springs, which can be prolonged into an extended loop.
Emigrant, Mokelumne, and Carson-Iceburg Wilderness Areas
Location: northern California
Climbing season: June – October relying on snowpack
Highlights: Sierra surroundings with fewer crowds
Drawbacks: mosquitos may be dangerous in early summer season
Between the vacationer points of interest of Lake Tahoe and Yosemite lies an unlimited community of trails via equally beautiful excessive Sierra surroundings with far fewer crowds. These three wilderness areas, and the huge nationwide forests that encompass them, may be explored and linked collectively by way of numerous backpacking routes each lengthy and brief.
I particularly benefit from the Mokelumne Wilderness space close to Kirkwood Ski Resort, having grown up snowboarding on this space. The Fourth of July Lake Loop is a scenic little 14 mile loop from Freeway 88 that may be prolonged in order for you extra mileage. Additional south highways 4 and 108 present entry to different beautiful choices.
Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness
Location: southern California
Climbing season: June – October relying on snowpack
Highlights: 360 diploma views from San Jacinto Peak; distinctive mountain surroundings with view over the desert flooring
Drawbacks: tenting restricted to established group websites; large climb on the best way in; excessive altitude and comparatively fast ascent could make issues tougher (attempt to acclimate for an evening at average elevation first)
Mount San Jacinto State Park, although comparatively small, is among the greatest locations to go backpacking in Southern California, particularly for brief 2 -3 day journeys. The almost 11,000 foot summit of San Jacinto presents distinctive panoramic views over the sprawling desert flooring, supplying you with a really actual sense of the area’s geology. The storied Pacific Crest Path runs via the world for individuals who wish to expertise a small style of the well-known via hike.
Just about each route into the wilderness, together with the favored San Jacinto Peak Loop Path, begins with a hefty climb to excessive altitude. Take it sluggish and produce your health! Tenting is allowed solely at designated websites and also you’ll want to use for a allow prematurely. When you’re up there, benefit from the views and the comparatively cooler temps because the desert cooks beneath.
To expertise the Mount San Jacinto Wilderness with out the large climb in, take into account taking the extremely scenic tram trip up from Palm Springs as proven within the San Jacinto 7 Peak Loop by way of Tram and Spherical Valley. You’ll be able to camp at Spherical Valley and discover the world by way of day hikes with a lighter pack. It is a good way for newbie backpackers to get their toes moist with a much less committing route.
Honorable Mentions
There are actually a whole lot of nice backpacking locations in California, and people highlighted above are simply the tip of the iceberg. Listed here are a couple of honorable mentions which might be smaller, a bit much less iconic, or that I personally haven’t explored a lot but.
Trinity Alps: A really scenic however under-the-radar backpacking vacation spot in northern California, the Trinity Alps Wilderness presents top-notch mountain backpacking with out the crowds of the Sierra. Although it presents many miles of path, there aren’t many choices for longer or loop routes, and the world was not too long ago broken by fireplace in August of 2023. Nonetheless, I’ve heard nice issues and hope to discover it quickly.
Misplaced Coast: This 34 mile path in King Vary Wilderness, close to the coastal village of Shelter Cove, presents a novel point-to-point backpacking expertise alongside the rugged northern California shoreline. A data of tide timetables is required, in addition to a reasonably aggressive allow.
Angeles Nationwide Forest: The San Gabriel Mountains are a splendidly rugged but conveniently shut backpacking vacation spot close to Los Angles. The area is definitely much more widespread with day hikers, partly because of the lack of water sources up on the ridges, however in the event you can pack in sufficient liquids you’ll benefit from the solitude come sundown.
Pacific Crest Path: The storied PCT runs the complete size of California, over 1600 miles from border to frame! Thus, wherever it’s possible you’ll be in California there may be at all times backpacking considerably close by on the PCT. Whether or not it’s a protracted part hike or an in a single day out-and-back, it’s at all times a deal with to depart footprints on this well-known long-distance via mountain climbing route.
Did I miss your favourite place to go backpacking in California? This listing is a piece in progress! Let me know down beneath within the feedback and I’ll add it.
Gear for Backpacking in California
As at all times, the perfect gear listing in your backpacking journey relies on location, circumstances, and your fashion of packing and mountain climbing. Listed here are a few of my private favorites used for a lot of miles whereas backpacking in California and elsewhere.
Extra Backpacking Assets
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Concerning the Writer
Hello there, I’m Alissa, founding father of Exploring Wild. I’ve had the pleasure of mountain climbing the Arizona Path, Colorado Path, John Muir Path, Tahoe Rim Path, and numerous shorter superb trails all through the US and overseas. I really like solitude, large views, and a great light-weight gear setup. Study extra right here.
