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 Upper Yosemite Falls trail is 7.2 miles round trip with an elevation at the summit of 6,526 ft. The gain is 2,700 ft for this trail. The forested area will give you a cool area to hike in before hitting the flatlands which will give you the first view of the falls. The mist from the falls is a welcome relief from the heat. You have survived one set of switchbacks on the trip here and now you will face another before you reach the summit. This are is the most difficult of the hike with very steep inclines. If you are in super physical condition you won't have a problem (although it will challenge you) but if you aren't you may want to avoid the end of this hike by turning back earlier.
Enter the wonders of the desert with the heat and lack of water on the hike in Mosiac Canyon. Although the trail is just 2.5 miles round trip you will think you went further due to the climate conditions. After all, this is the hottest place in the US so it's a challenge. Bring plenty of water to rehydrate yourself on this hike, you'll need it. You might see some desert wildlife as you view the stunning designs nature created on the formations of the canyon walls.
Back to the mountains and this time it's the really high hike. Prepare for Mt. Shasta, the most challenging trail in California. The trial is 12 miles round trip and the summit is 14,179 ft with an elevation gain of 7,259 ft. You will work on this trail to see the beauty. The time to plan this hike is from May to mid July due to the unpredictable weather in the spring and the lava rocks and rolling boulders that come crashing down the mountain after the snow melt in the summer. Not only is this more than a hike, you will have issues with altitude sicknes if you are not careful so make sure you go with a partner for safety and practical reasons. Read all you can about this hike before you begin, it's not one for the faint of heart.
Mt. Shasta offers you a different type of hike. You will want to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, an ice axe and shelter. Since you won't have much warning if the weather is going to turn on you take the shelter to offer protection when, and if, you need it. Bring along your crampons, helmet, summit pass, and winter boots and wear extra layers of cloths, and again, plenty of water. Don't plan on drinking snow melt around Helen's Lake since it is contaminated by human and animal urine...yummy!
Half Dome is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to the elevation of 8,842. This is a great hike for between late May and early October. Because of the location, view and degree of difficulty people from all over the world come to hike at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. This is a day hike that challenges you so if you aren't prepared with a great degree of fitness and lots of experience pass on this one. The climb through the switchbacks is rocky so be careful not to injure an ankle. If you reach the top of Nevada Falls (the halfway point) you will want to assess your skills and ability to continue on as well as adjust to the altitude change. To continue on be prepared to have a very steep, excruciatingly long climb to the back of the Half Dome rock. This is a most difficult climb with more switchbacks continually assaulting your body. If you have done your research you know about the Half Dome cables but you can't know the shock and fear experienced once you are in front of them until you are there. Now you need to reevaluate your physical condition to see if you are up to the risks involved in continuing up. The view from there is terrific with Yosemite Valley below, but make sure you are ready for this type of challenge before you even begin the hike. It isn't for the weak or physically unprepared.
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 Upper Yosemite Falls trail is 7.2 miles round trip with an elevation at the summit of 6,526 ft. The gain is 2,700 ft for this trail. The forested area will give you a cool area to hike in before hitting the flatlands which will give you the first view of the falls. The mist from the falls is a welcome relief from the heat. You have survived one set of switchbacks on the trip here and now you will face another before you reach the summit. This are is the most difficult of the hike with very steep inclines. If you are in super physical condition you won't have a problem (although it will challenge you) but if you aren't you may want to avoid the end of this hike by turning back earlier.
Enter the wonders of the desert with the heat and lack of water on the hike in Mosiac Canyon. Although the trail is just 2.5 miles round trip you will think you went further due to the climate conditions. After all, this is the hottest place in the US so it's a challenge. Bring plenty of water to rehydrate yourself on this hike, you'll need it. You might see some desert wildlife as you view the stunning designs nature created on the formations of the canyon walls.
Back to the mountains and this time it's the really high hike. Prepare for Mt. Shasta, the most challenging trail in California. The trial is 12 miles round trip and the summit is 14,179 ft with an elevation gain of 7,259 ft. You will work on this trail to see the beauty. The time to plan this hike is from May to mid July due to the unpredictable weather in the spring and the lava rocks and rolling boulders that come crashing down the mountain after the snow melt in the summer. Not only is this more than a hike, you will have issues with altitude sicknes if you are not careful so make sure you go with a partner for safety and practical reasons. Read all you can about this hike before you begin, it's not one for the faint of heart.
Mt. Shasta offers you a different type of hike. You will want to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, an ice axe and shelter. Since you won't have much warning if the weather is going to turn on you take the shelter to offer protection when, and if, you need it. Bring along your crampons, helmet, summit pass, and winter boots and wear extra layers of cloths, and again, plenty of water. Don't plan on drinking snow melt around Helen's Lake since it is contaminated by human and animal urine...yummy!
Half Dome is a 16 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 4,800 ft to the elevation of 8,842. This is a great hike for between late May and early October. Because of the location, view and degree of difficulty people from all over the world come to hike at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. This is a day hike that challenges you so if you aren't prepared with a great degree of fitness and lots of experience pass on this one. The climb through the switchbacks is rocky so be careful not to injure an ankle. If you reach the top of Nevada Falls (the halfway point) you will want to assess your skills and ability to continue on as well as adjust to the altitude change. To continue on be prepared to have a very steep, excruciatingly long climb to the back of the Half Dome rock. This is a most difficult climb with more switchbacks continually assaulting your body. If you have done your research you know about the Half Dome cables but you can't know the shock and fear experienced once you are in front of them until you are there. Now you need to reevaluate your physical condition to see if you are up to the risks involved in continuing up. The view from there is terrific with Yosemite Valley below, but make sure you are ready for this type of challenge before you even begin the hike. It isn't for the weak or physically unprepared.
About the Author:
Looking for a California surfing in the sun vacation? Check out Penelope SanMateo's vacation travel articles on California travel guide. Discover California's diverse regions from mountains to beaches, including the Desert California tourism region.
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