So I”ve got a week’s vacation coming up at the end of March and I’m determined to take me a little backpacking trip of three to four days. There are a couple obvious trips nearby, like the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail and the Ohlone Trail, but I’ve day-hiked most of them and would like to try something new.
Of course there’s always the wide open spaces of Henry Coe State Park, of which I’ve hiked a tiny fraction. I”m not really interested in the Sierra — I’l save that for after the snow melts.
If any of you Bay Area types have suggestions, let ’em rip.
How about Lost Coast Trail?
I’ve thought about that one, though it might be farther than I want to drive.
I’ll second the Lost Coast, its worth the drive.
(Ditto for Joshua Tree)
Depending on the wildflower situation, you might want to try the Ventana Wilderness (Pine Valley, Pat Springs, or Vicente Flat)
Poppies should be out in Henry Coe by then, tho lugging a pack up those hills kinda sucks.
March is also ideal for the overnight to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy area (Its much too hot along the reservior to enjoyably do this in the summer)
I would be heading for Death Valley. The Cottonwood-Marble Canyon loop I did there has had me thirsting for more ever since.
I’ve done Henry Coe and it can be quite beautiful in late March and early April.
I haven’t backpacked there, but I’ve heard good things about Point Reyes.
The Death Valley option is interesting if you like desert backpacking. It is quite different from coastal hills and Sierra Nevada. (For example, you need to carry or cache water…)
Dan
On second thought, can I change my answer to Death Valley as well? As we said on the GoBlog, it will change your life. Or your money back.
I’m thinking my spouse would take a dim view of dropping me off at Death Valley — I think I’ll need a few more seasons of camping under my belt before attempting that one (it’ll take that long to talk her into it anyway).
I was thinking about doing the Lost Coast Trail in March but I’m not sure about how the weather has wreaked havoc on the roads and trails given our recent storms. Any tips for doing the Lost Coast? Any tips on how to handle the car situation? (take 2 cars?)
I did a short trip to Death Valley too.. I’ll have to concur that it’s a life altering trip. It has sheer diversity within a single park.
I read this morning that some of the trails near Lost Coast have gotten really beaten up by all the rain we’ve had.
As for transportation: two cars is one option; some people start at opposite ends and do a key swap when they meet in the middle. There’s also supposed to be a shuttle service that can be hired to take hikers back to their cars, according to a hiking book I’ve got.
I think that settles it. I’m going to return to Death Valley in March. I’m going to do Telescope Peak and Wildrose Peak.
I wasn’t really feeling the High Sierra and the people of Yosemite this time.
What are your choices?
Henry Coe will be my default position, I suspect, mainly because I sorta know my way around there … but I can’t get Ventana Wilderness out of my head, so I may end up there.
I’d head for Henry Coe. It was my favorite go to place when I lived in the bay area. Head for Mississippi Lake, down to Coit Lake and then back for a decent couple of days. You can head into the Orestimba wilderness if you long for longer days and hit Jackrabbit Lake too.
Coe is hard work, lots of ups/downs, but some amazing views. Few people are there. Watch out for the ticks – they are all over (we pulled four off us in on check about four weeks ago there).
Ventana is nice, as is Point Reyes, but Coe has a magic that kept me comeing back.
My suggestion: fly to Alaska and hike the Chilkoot Trail. Awesome!
Quote: “My suggestion: fly to Alaska and hike the Chilkoot Trail. Awesome!”
I’ve done the Chilkoot and I agree it is awesome…
… but in March? Not for most people. 🙂
Dan