Montgomery Creek, California

This route is perfect for those with some mountaineering skill looking to challenge themselves on either a long day climb (10-12 hours) of one of California’s most iconic peaks.  1: The approach (1500 feet of elevation gain) For the best chance of summiting, start very early, around 2-4 am. Most ...

One of my personal favorites and a hidden gem of California that keeps circling my mind is the Lassen Peak Trail. Don't let the trail map (2.5 miles one way) deceive you and make you think this is a short trail. The elevation gain is is 2000 feet from the parking lot to the end of the peak. The a...

Due to hazardous snow and ice, Bumpass Hell Trail closes during the spring and may not open until July. From the Bumpass Hell Parking Area, the trail traverses the rocky slopes of Bumpass Mountain. The trail slowly ascends 200 feet with views of the valley to the west and Lassen Peak to the nort...

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of lush pine forests, arid rocky terrain, boiling lakes, snow-capped peaks, and extremely diverse wildlife.  I recommend at least a week to explore this underrated national park, but if you are only driving through, you can still enjoy some of the won...

Disclaimer: Hiking to the falls is trespassing. Fines can be as much as $300. If you choose to hike to the falls, you're doing so at your own risk so please be cautious and cognizant of your surroundings. If you live anywhere near Northern California or Southern Oregon, you may have heard about ...

Peaking above the volcanic valley at 9235 ft, Brokeoff Mountain is only second in height to Mt. Lassen in the national park they share. Brokeoff was once a part of a larger volcano called Mt. Tehama that erupted, eventually leading to its collapse. The event left a rugged volcanic rim, now con...

Bumpas Hell to Cold Boiling Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Old Station, California.

This hike is one of my favorites for when I only have a weekend to get my nature fix. To start off, visit either the Loomis Museum, Loomis Ranger Station, Butte Lake Ranger Station, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Warner Valley Ranger Station, or Juniper Lake Ranger Station and pick up a wildern...

Kings Creek Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Old Station, California.

Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Dunsmuir, California.

Scenes like this are rarely so accessible. Heart Lake is nestled in a bowl below Castle Peak, on the edge of the Castle Crags Wilderness just west of I-5 and the city of Mt. Shasta. The parking lot and trailhead are both located on the shore of Castle Lake, a much larger lake that is stunning in ...

Cinder Cone Trail For 1.2 miles, the trail gently slopes up through a forest. The Fantastic Lava Beds form a wall to your left. The Fantastic Lava Beds were formed by several eruptions of lava from Cinder Cone. The trail is mostly cinder erupted from Cinder Cone. Walking on cinder is similar to w...

Start from the Butte Lake trailhead, off Highway 44 at the north end of Lassen Volcanic National Park. From the parking lot walk past the little boat launch and the trailhead is obvious in front of you.  Be mentally prepared to be walking in loose sand for most of this trip (and bring ankle or kn...

The hike to Boiling Springs Lake starts at the Warner Valley Trailhead and is only a 3 mile roundtrip hike. It's a fairly easy hike that starts through the valley and then winds up through the forest and eventually opens up to the lake.  First thing you'll notice as you approach the lake is the ...

The hike starts at the Warner Valley Trailhead and winds up the mountain until you reach the lake. The first 2 miles or so are very pleasant walk through the woods until you reach the last portion which is essentially straight up the mountain side.  This portion of the trail can be very slippery...

Head to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to pa...