toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 30, 2016 13:37:54 GMT -8
I know the CA peeps are hiking in the winter. Where are you going?
Myself - San Rafael Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness.
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Dec 30, 2016 15:37:14 GMT -8
The desert ranges.
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Dec 31, 2016 11:52:38 GMT -8
In the northern reaches of the state the Ishi Wilderness is below the snow line. Some short hikes available in the BLM Sacramento River Bend area between Red Bluff and Redding. The north coast also has some good trail systems. Not particularly cold, but a damp cold. These old bones don't handle the damp cold like they used to. I snowbird Jan and Feb along the Colorado River. So I head out to the local desert ranges (Whipple Wountains, Turtle Mountains, Dead Mountains et al) for some day scrambling. Very little of any maintained trail system, almost all off trail. The geology of the mountains are interesting, all part of the Maria thrust belt with some unusual combinations of metamorphic, sedimentary, and basalts/granites all jumbled together.
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speacock
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I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on Jan 2, 2017 11:15:40 GMT -8
Day hikes into the San Gabriel (National Monument now) - mostly out of boredom and need to do something. During the cool months there is water for extended overnights. Several book guides on the many trails.
San Gorgonio's north of Redlands get some nice breaks in the weather. Some very fun snow shoeing up from the north side roads and trails into the Gorgonio Wilderness.
Even if snow. the top of San Jacinto is doable at least for the skilled committed -- from the gondola - in good weather.
There is big desert east of Palm Springs. Lots of old mining history and areas for gemologists of all ages. Grab a book or somebody at a library and map out year's worth of experiences.
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Jan 3, 2017 19:27:25 GMT -8
Until late January even plants in our deserts are likely to be dormant brown. But as winter moves into February, the low desert regions like Anza Borrego and Death Valley floors can rapidly start blooming. Up here in the SF Bay Area fungi and mushrooms peak late January, and a few wildflowers like fetid adder's-tongue and padre's shooting stars start showing early February.
www.davidsenesac.com/2016_Trip_Chronicles/winter_2016-1.html
Before then I've never had an interest as winter snow sports are far more exciting.
David
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 3, 2017 22:32:17 GMT -8
Sequoia and Yosemite: on skis and/or snowshoes it's still backpacking...
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Jan 4, 2017 10:09:07 GMT -8
I don't know yet - come up and see me in Redding in February and let's explore!! I'm up for anything
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Post by hikerchick395 on Jan 4, 2017 11:02:19 GMT -8
Not the greatest photo, but you can find some interesting hikes in Cali. This is on the flumes above the Feather River Dec 30. Even my 86 year old mom joined us!
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Post by ryanjl on Jan 4, 2017 12:07:12 GMT -8
This is my first winter living in California and I've been itching to go backpacking the last month - any suggestions to avoid the snow? I'd love to stay within a few hours (3-5) of San Francisco and just looking for an overnight, mileage not super important, maybe between 6-16 miles total?
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jan 4, 2017 16:48:16 GMT -8
I'd love to stay within a few hours (3-5) of San Francisco and just looking for an overnight www.ventanawild.org/
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grace
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Post by grace on Jan 6, 2017 9:50:10 GMT -8
No backpacking (I hate weather...) but I took some time to do the touristy hikes- Muir Beach, Muir Woods over the holidays. I'm in the east bay near Mount Diablo, so I've been spending some time out there to get some air and stretch.
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ogg
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Post by ogg on Jan 9, 2017 9:43:09 GMT -8
I usually head to the desert after Christmas with an old friend. This year we dayhiked Panamint Dunes and were treated to a spectacular air show by the US Navy. I intend to backpack Joshua Tree some time this winter.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 16, 2017 10:22:38 GMT -8
his is my first winter living in California and I've been itching to go backpacking the last month - any suggestions to avoid the snow? I'd love to stay within a few hours (3-5) of San Francisco and just looking for an overnight, mileage not super important, maybe between 6-16 miles total? Check out the trail camps at Pt. Reyes. There is also a camp in Big Basin Redwoods, near the falls (which should be impressive about now...hmm. Wonder if we can get a reservation once my new quilt arrives...). Other parks with trail camps include Butano State Park (a pretty park, but I find the camp dull--no views), Henry Coe St. Park, and a sort-of-trail camp at Castle Rock State Park. That's all I get off the top of my head. None of the parks allow dispersed camping--only at designated camps.
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Jan 16, 2017 16:32:31 GMT -8
...Henry Coe St. Park, and a sort-of-trail camp at Castle Rock State Park. That's all I get off the top of my head. None of the parks allow dispersed camping--only at designated camps. Indeed Henry Coe does require designated camping about much of the park out of the headquarters trailhead. However if parked at the Hunting Hollow trailhead out of Morgan Hill, one can tent anywhere just a mile from the road. It is the only park in our region where dispersed camping is possible and in winter one can fill out the permit at the trailhead that makes it easy to do at a whim. That includes some locations with only minimal uphill hiking like the east end of Hunting Hollow proper or north up Coyote Creek from the Gilroy Hot Springs bridge. However those spots are relatively boring compared to climbing up to one of the ridge tops where one has expansive views of the Coast Range. In any case Henry Coe will remain dormant through January. Before things green up and wildflowers start popping it is only half a glass. For that one will need to wait till mid March with April best. And with all our recent rains, this year ought be a winner.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 16, 2017 22:00:34 GMT -8
Thanks for the info, davesenesac --I've only been to Henry Coe once or maybe twice, long long ago, for a trail run. Good to know about the dispersed camping from that TH; I always prefer to find my own campsite, far from other people.
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