It’s October, which means:
a) Rainy season could start any day now. Dig your gaiters back out.
b) Some trees will turn color (but most won’t).
c) Shadeless East and South Bay parks are livable again.
d) Big hairy spiders are prowling for love in said shadeless parks.
e) Dan Mitchell has been taking pictures of the Sierra aspens again. (While I’m on the subject, Yubanet.com lists many reasons to scout out North Tahoe for more autumnal colors.
f) Late-season Sierra backpackers get caught in blizzards.
g) Flaming-red poison oak is as pretty as it’s ever going to get.
So, folks, what are the best autumn hikes in the Bay Area? The coast certainly springs to mind because there’s much less fog at this time of year (though there can be freakishly hot days like the one we had at Tomales Point last week). Bahiker.com recommends:
- North Bay:
- China Camp State Park
- Jack London State Historic Park
- Olompali State Park
- Samuel P. Taylor State Park
- Briones Regional Park
- Castle Rock State Park
- Fall Creek Unit: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Sawyer Camp Trail
East Bay:
Peninsula and South Bay:
Send along suggestions if you can top these.
I still have to make it over to Castle Rock before it gets wet. As for suggestions:
Try a Morgan Territory / Mt Diablo overnighter via the Highland Ridge trail in Morgan Territory. The backpacker’s camp is a lovely place, if a little tough on the back (don’t forget the Thermarest!). But to hear the evening breeze rustling through the trees and high hopes of nocturnal visitors of many kinds, it’s a fine place for solitude, soul searching and tarantula watching. I hope to find a day or two out there before the weather gets too ugly.