Blauert on outdoors: Bucket lists of hikes continued for Central California

Back in March and May, I wrote the first two parts of a “bucket list hikes in Central California” series. Then the summer rolled around and I had recent experiences to write about each week, so now it is time to complete the series.

This week’s picks are moderately to seriously challenging day hikes. They were the hardest to choose because more often than not, it is the hardest, longest trails that lead to the most memorable places. There were several possibilities, but after much thought and reflection, here are my choices:

Yosemite – Mount Hoffmann: It was hard not to put Half Dome on this list. It’s one of the most iconic peaks in the world, and it is a thrill to be on top, but it is just so dang popular I’m suggesting Mount Hoffman as another outstanding Yosemite summit. Hoffmann is a shorter hike, but the elevation is higher: You climb from 8,700 feet to 10,845 feet.

The views from the top are possibly the best in Yosemite – at least one of the top four summits that can be reached by trail. You get a 360-degree view of the core of the park, including Half Dome. You don’t get to look straight down into Yosemite Valley like you do on top of Half Dome, but you can see more of the park than is possible from most other destinations and the trail passes by stunning May Lake – a great place to take a break.

To find the trailhead, look for the May Lake sign about 27 miles east of Crane Flat. The 2-mile drive to trailhead parking is rough and potholed but passable for any vehicle driven carefully. For more information and current conditions, go to http://www.nps.gov/yose or call 209-372-0200.

Central Coast – Cone Peak: Featured a few weeks ago, this is my favorite challenging hike along the coast. The view encompasses a lot of the coastline and many inland ridges and valleys as well. The round trip is only 5 miles, but the trail gains 1,400 feet to the 5,155-foot summit. Much of it is exposed and can be hot if there isn’t wind. Watch out for abundant poison oak along the lower part of the trail.

Located along the southern part of the Big Sur coast, it gets fewer visitors than the more popular northern part. To find the trail, turn off Highway 1 onto Nacimiento-Fergusson Road about 4 miles south of the community of Lucia. Drive this paved but very narrow road for about 7 miles and then turn left on Cone Peak Road. Follow this unpaved road for about 5 miles, looking carefully for the trailhead – the sign is easy to miss.

Call the Monterey Ranger District (831-385-5434) to check conditions and for other questions about the trail.

Coast Ranges – High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles National Park: The eroded volcanic spires of Pinnacles National Park and its extensive talus caves are the attraction on this hike. The trail climbs through Bear Gulch Cave and then scales the peaks via steps cut into steep rock faces and metal railings along especially dramatic drop-offs. You end up climbing in and among the most impressive rock formations.

The views from the top are impressive, and you may see dozens of huge California condors riding the air currents. The round-trip hike distance is about 6.5 miles with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. To find Pinnacles National Park, head south from Hollister on Highway 25 for 30 miles and then turn west on Highway 146, which leads directly into the park. For more information and current conditions, go to http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm or call 831-389-4485.

The trail to Mount Hoffmann can only be hiked in the summer and until snow arrives. Mountain weather is less predictable and more extreme than our Valley weather, so caution needs to be exercised from this time of year until the end of the season.

Cone Peak has a longer season. The dirt access road is usually open from May to November, but conditions can change and it may not be passable for low-clearance cars. The High Peaks Trail can be hiked year-round in good weather, but it may be difficult even on clear days following storms. My favorite time to hike it is in the spring when wildflowers are abundant, especially after wet winters. Avoid hot weather. If it is hot in our Valley, it is hot at the Pinnacles.

In case you were wondering about the other top summits in Yosemite, my picks are Half Dome, Clouds Rest and Mount Dana.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Blauert on outdoors: Bucket lists of hikes continued for Central California."