Hiking in California during certain times of the year is so fabulous that you will want to go all the time. You may want to take a weekend or maybe a whole week to see the different places to go. There is hiking available around rivers, glaciers, deserts, the coastline and in the grasslands. Take your pick.
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.
Mt. Shasta is the most challenging hike in the whole state of California. The trial is 12 miles round trip of body assaulting climbs. The elevation at the summit is 14,179 ft with a gain of 7,259 during your climb. You will need to plan this hike from between May to mid July due to the weather in the spring that can come viciously crashing in on you without much warning and in the summer the lava rocks and rolling boulders offer a hazard since they can come crashing down the mountain at any time being washed loose by the melting snow. Due to the chance of altitude sickness do not do this hike alone, take a partner for safety and practical reasons. If you aren't in superior shape, pass on this trail. Read all you can about it before beginning so you are prepared for the challenges you will face.
For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don't plan on "ice melt" for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen's Lake is contaminated by urine...yes, human and animal. Sweet.
The 16 mile round trip hike of Half Dome has an elevation gain of 4,800 ft. It reaches the summit of 8,842 ft. This hike is best between late May and early October. It is a difficult hike which brings people from all around the world to Yosemite National Park. If you aren't in excellent physical shape with lots of hiking and climbing experience behind you don't attempt this climb. The switchbacks are rocky and many ankles are injured here so be super careful. When you reach Nevada Falls you are at the halfway point of the climb. Here you should take the time to assess your strengths and skills to see if you are prepared to continue on. The climb gets tougher so be ready. Not only is the climb tough but the altitude change will require some adjustment of your body so give it a little while. Rest, and then go on. The continuation is very steep, excruciatingly long to reach the back of Half Dome rock. Your body is continually assaulted on the switchbacks during this phase. The Half Dome cables will fill you with shock and fear, they should! Now, assess your ability to continue on and if you are sure you are willing, the success of the climb will give you stunning views of Yosemite Valley below. This hike is only for those that are in good, if not superior, physical condition. If you aren't then don't do this one. There are many other trails that will better fit your ability. - 16651
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.
Mt. Shasta is the most challenging hike in the whole state of California. The trial is 12 miles round trip of body assaulting climbs. The elevation at the summit is 14,179 ft with a gain of 7,259 during your climb. You will need to plan this hike from between May to mid July due to the weather in the spring that can come viciously crashing in on you without much warning and in the summer the lava rocks and rolling boulders offer a hazard since they can come crashing down the mountain at any time being washed loose by the melting snow. Due to the chance of altitude sickness do not do this hike alone, take a partner for safety and practical reasons. If you aren't in superior shape, pass on this trail. Read all you can about it before beginning so you are prepared for the challenges you will face.
For the hike at Mt. Shasta you will want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and ice axe, shelter (remember, you are going way up and the weather may change in a minute where you need protection.) Bring your crampons, helmet, summit pass, winter boots, and extra layers of clothing and plenty of water. Don't plan on "ice melt" for water; bring it with you since most of the snow around Helen's Lake is contaminated by urine...yes, human and animal. Sweet.
The 16 mile round trip hike of Half Dome has an elevation gain of 4,800 ft. It reaches the summit of 8,842 ft. This hike is best between late May and early October. It is a difficult hike which brings people from all around the world to Yosemite National Park. If you aren't in excellent physical shape with lots of hiking and climbing experience behind you don't attempt this climb. The switchbacks are rocky and many ankles are injured here so be super careful. When you reach Nevada Falls you are at the halfway point of the climb. Here you should take the time to assess your strengths and skills to see if you are prepared to continue on. The climb gets tougher so be ready. Not only is the climb tough but the altitude change will require some adjustment of your body so give it a little while. Rest, and then go on. The continuation is very steep, excruciatingly long to reach the back of Half Dome rock. Your body is continually assaulted on the switchbacks during this phase. The Half Dome cables will fill you with shock and fear, they should! Now, assess your ability to continue on and if you are sure you are willing, the success of the climb will give you stunning views of Yosemite Valley below. This hike is only for those that are in good, if not superior, physical condition. If you aren't then don't do this one. There are many other trails that will better fit your ability. - 16651
About the Author:
Looking for a family vacation in California? Check out Penelope SanMateo's vacation travel articles on California attractions. Discover California's diverse regions from mountains to beaches, including the North Coast California tourism region.
