Jake YoungExplorer

The hike to Alamere falls is a 12.2 mile out-and-back in Point Reyes National Seashore. Start at the Palomarin Trailhead located in the parking lot near the restrooms. After about 2 minutes on the trail, you'll see a map on your right that lays out the trail to the falls as well as a few campground (Sky, Wildcat, etc.). Don't be afraid to take a picture of the map if you're worried about gettin...

If you live in the Palo Alto area and are looking for a place to hike or run, The Dish is a close, and great way to get that exercise. Located right on the corner of Stanford Ave and Junipero Serra, you'll see that small gated entrance right when you drive on by. As far as parking goes, you're left with finding parking along Stanford Avenue or the elementary school lot further down the street. ...

This hike will take you through the Tule Elk Preserve in Point Reyes Nation Seashore, and offers fantastic views of Bodega and Tomales Bay, as well as the Pacific Ocean. Start at the Tomales Point Trailhead near the Historic Pierce Point Ranch. Follow the trail for roughly three miles. This trail is very well maintained and you are almost guaranteed to see tule elk along the way. After reaching...

Fallen Leaf Lake is truly one of the more beautiful places in California. Separated from Lake Tahoe by just a one-mile strip of land, it feels worlds away from the crowds and fuss. The campground has over 200 sites that can be reserved here. There are endless hikes nearby including Mount Tallac and can these campsites can serve as a staging ground for backpacking trips into Desolation Wildernes...

The drive to the location of Vikingsholm was beautiful with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay, when approached from South Lake Tahoe. The hike down the hill to see this gem was worth it but could be hard for some (because the only return is up this somewhat steep path with switchbacks). But this is a well preserved site and well worth the effort to make the climb. The extra cost t...

Park your car at the Glen Alpine Trailhead adjacent to Lily Lake and southwest of Fallen Leaf Lake. Head west on Glen Alpine Creek Trail passing Lily Lake on your left. After a little over a mile and a half of trekking through the alpine forest and taking in mountain views, you'll arrive at Alpine Falls. Break out the camera, get the kids ready, and start snapping the photo for the family holid...

This hike starts from the Bayviews Campground Trailhead. This day use area is usually pretty crowded so arrive early to get a parking spot. There is parking a quarter of a mile into the campground near the trail head, but if there is no room there is overflow parking just outside of the camping area. The trail starts with an option to go into Desolation Wilderness or Cascade Falls. Take the rig...

Mount Price (9,975') is the second highest summit in the Desolation Wilderness, standing just eight feet lower than Pyramid Peak to the south. In between these two peaks stands Mount Agassiz (9,967'), whose overhanging summit resembles a granite wave poised to crash down into the Desolation Valley nearly 2,000 feet below. Both Agassiz and Price offer fun scrambling and airy summits, and can b...

This incredible hike offers you the opportunity to visit the heart of desolation without climbing more than about 600 feet of elevation. Begin at the boat taxi at Lower Echo Lake. The taxi costs $12/person each way and is $5 each-way for your furry friend. The taxi leaves the dock at frequent intervals or as soon as there are 3 people ready to go. Once you're on the taxi, it will take you acros...

This fantastic camping or chilling spot has beautiful granite pools and slides of all sizes. The area consists of a river flowing over a granite slab creating pools some of which are over ten feet deep. The water cascades down the granite in small water falls. The area is located next to Silver Lake in Amador County just off of Highway 88.If you are leaving from the Tahoe area, head southbound ...

The Algoma Campsite is a free campsite along the Upper Portion of the McCloud River. It features eight sites and a pit toilet. Unlike the other campgrounds in the area, this site receives very little traffic and has no fee. To get there, take SR 89 east from the McCloud Ranger Station for 13 miles. Turn right for Algoma (Stouts Meadow) and keeping driving for another mile until you arrive at th...

With old growth redwoods and a creek swimming area, Memorial Park is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. Memorial Park is only a few miles east of the town of Pescadero. To get here, you can either approach from Highway 1 and drive up Pescadero Creek Road or take Highway 84 and turn onto Pescadero Creek Road shortly after the town of La Honda. There are two main camping...

The Cowboy Trails offer a perfect break from climbing in Red Rock Canyon or a night on the Town in Las Vegas. You will need to be as tough as a cowboy (or cowgirl) to ride these trails. It is just as much of a workout going up as it is down. However, this area offers you the chance to hone your technical skills in a beautiful desert arena. You will find yourself cruising through beautiful gard...

From Spearfish, head south on Tinton Rd. for roughly 8 miles. There will be a large parking lot to your right with a pit toilet and an information kiosk. The actual trail head is across the road from the parking lot. There are four different loops in the system all of varying difficulty and length. The Loops A, B, C and D are 2.6, 3.5, 6.9, and 7.5 respectively and can be combined for longer pu...

Situated in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is is a not often visited treasure of the Central Sierra Nevada. In 1913, in an extremely controversial move, work on the O’Shaughnessy Dam was started to provide water to the growing population of San Francisco. Today, Hetch Hetchy is an enormous reservoir that offers almost year round hiking without the crowds of the va...

Arch Rock Campground is first come first serve campground in Valley of Fire State Park. It is the more "primitive" of the two campsites in the park. That is, there are far less RVs in this site and it is often easier to get a spot.To get here, take the Valley of Fire Highway to the entrance, which is just off of Interstate 15. After paying the $10 entry fee to the park, keep driving until you s...

Located deep within the Santa Cruz Mountains, Butano State Park boasts a large redwood canyon with many miles of hiking trails as well as campsites. This state park is one of the quietest and least visited parks on the peninsula making a perfect place to escape the hustle of the Bay Area Butano State Park is only accessible from the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway One. If you are t...

This hike starts in the parking lot of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Picnic Area. As one of the more popular hikes in Redwood National Park, it is a good idea to get there early to secure parking and miss the crowds. To get to the parking lot from the Kuchel Visitor Center, travel north on Highway 101 from the center and turn on Bald Hills Rd just passed the town of Orick. After a few miles, you ...

This epic day hike to Reef Icefield can be done if you are staying at the Berg Lake Campground. Berg Lake is accessible from the Berg Lake Trailhead just off of Canada Highway 16. Permits to stay at Berg Lake can be purchased at the Visitor Centre near the trailhead.Snowbird Pass is located 7 miles up a glacially carved valley that spills into Berg Lake. The trail follows the Robson River for a...

There are a multitude of frozen waterfalls throughout Spearfish Canyon. Some require a short hike and others can be seen from the road. This adventure will describe how to access the three largest frozen falls.Take Spearfish Canyon Highway south out of the town of Spearfish SD. After roughly 6 miles, there will be a pullout on your right and a small wooden deck on the other side of the street. ...

This extremely short hike starts just off of Highway 32. From Chester, head southwest on 32 for roughly 21 miles. There is a turnout and a sign where the trail starts. This waterfall is best viewed in the spring when there is still a large amount of snow melt off. This waterfall is definitely not a destination hike, but is a perfect way to break up a longer drive on a hot summer day. 

The White Domes Loop Trail is at the end of Mouse's Tank Road. Travel north from the visitor center until you get to the White Domes Parking Lot. This short loop trail wanders through short slot canyons and towering sandstone formations. From the parking lot, head south down the sandstone steps. At the bottom, you will see the remains of the movie set from The Professionals. From here, follow t...

Pescadero Creek County Park and the connected Sam McDonald and Memorial Park are located deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains holding a vast network of secluded trails. From biking to backpacking, this area is a perfect place for a day or weekend adventure. This area also has the added bonus having relatively few visitors compared to other outdoor hot spots in the Bay Area.This area can be accessed...

The Ryan Campground is but one of many beautiful campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park. It is located just south of the Hidden Valley use area. There are 31 sites as well as a horse camp. This campground does not have water, but does have pit toilets.For weekend trips into Joshua Tree, it is often recommended to check this site first because it is not as popular as the other campgrounds. Kee...