Blauert on Outdoors: Put these iconic hiking trails on your bucket list
Two months ago, I offered a short “bucket list” of four of the best easy trails just about anyone can enjoy in the most scenic Central California destinations.
This week, I’m returning to that theme with an additional four iconic trails, this time a bit more challenging. These moderate trails are from 1 to 5 miles in total walking distance and may include elevation gains of up to 1,000 feet.
Yosemite
Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall – The 1,000-foot elevation gain makes this the most challenging hike on this week’s list. It takes work, but the work comes with a great reward if you make the trip on a warm day when there’s a lot of water crashing over the fall (usually spring through early summer, though the drought is cutting the season much shorter this year). Just as you’re getting hot and tired, the trail turns toward the fall, where an icy mist provides some of the most satisfying refreshment you’ll ever feel in the outdoors. On top of that, the views from the trail are some of the best in Yosemite. The total distance is 2.4 miles round trip from the trailhead at the Happy Isles bus stop.
If you want more, you can continue to the top of the next fall – Nevada – for a total of 5.4 miles round trip. The top of either fall is a great place for lunch. This trail does require two special cautionary notes: Although there always seems to be people swimming in the pools directly above the falls and exploring every edge of the adjacent cliffs, these activities are extremely dangerous and several people have died from pushing the bounds of safety. Also, take care on the trail. There are many guard rails, but the granite surface of the trail is often slippery with mist. For information, go to http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit and look for “hiking” in the menu on the left side of the page.
Coast ranges
Talus Caves at Pinnacles National Park – This time, I’m replacing the “Sierra Foothills” category hike with a trail in the coast mountains on the opposite side of our valley. The drive is a bit longer, but the elevation and vegetation are similar. Pinnacles was a national monument until 2013, when it received an upgrade to National Park status in recognition of its unusual and unforgettable caves and peaks.
You can see the caves in as little as 1.8 miles round trip with a gradual elevation gain. You can also make a longer loop and climb to the park’s namesake pinnacles on the High Peaks Trail for a total distance of 6.1 miles with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Either way, the trip is pretty much unforgettable, and kids love the caves. The park has two entrances, but the east entrance is much closer for hikers from the Central Valley. Make sure you bring a flashlight or headlamp to explore the caves. The caves may be partially closed to protect bats, so call ahead and plan your trip for when it’s completely open. The best time to visit is usually in the fall or spring – it gets hot in the summer. Pinnacles is also a great place to see California condors. Go to http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm or call (831) 389-4485 for information.
Bay Area
Angel Island – There are thousands of miles of trails in the Bay Area and several viewpoints that could compete for honors. One of my favorites is the Perimeter Trail that circles Angel Island, a paved 5-mile loop with minimal elevation gain and plenty of really nice views of the bay. Plus, you get to enjoy a ferry ride to get to the bay and a tremendous amount of history scattered along the trail, from the restored immigration station to military structures restored and abandoned, some dating to the 1860s. You can explore many of them, essentially making this island one of the best “ghost town” sites to explore and photograph in the state. There’s a cafe located near the spot where you disembark the ferry, and bikes are welcome on the trail. For information, go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468 or call (415) 435-5390.
Central Coast
Point Lobos is one of the most popular stretches of coastline in the state. A place where land and sea meet in a dramatic way, it’s also a place best visited on weekdays or in the winter to avoid meeting crowds in an almost overwhelming way. Walking the perimeter of the point and seeing everything it has to offer is about 6 miles round trip, but you can see many memorable sites without walking nearly that much. In addition to waves and rocks, you’ll also see beaches, sea lions, shorebirds and groves of windswept Monterey cypresses. For information, go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571 or call (831) 624-4909.
In addition to waves and rocks, you’ll also see beaches, sea lions, shorebirds and groves of windswept Monterey cypresses at Point Lobos.
This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Blauert on Outdoors: Put these iconic hiking trails on your bucket list."