View Full Version : Looking for a longer trail to thru-hike near me in NorCal
Hi every one I posted a message in the PCT board about thru-hiking the PCT from where I am at in Sebastopol CA to Mexico. Someone suggested I try a shorter hike for my first thru-hike I was wondering if anyone knows about trails that are longer than one or two day hikes. I was looking at hike books for trials I'm my area but they all have short hikes, I'm having trouble finding longer hikes. If anyone can point me in the right dir. that would really help.
Thank you
Scott Larson
OMG. You're in NoCal. This is your backyard. Already gave you three well more than 2-3 day options. Pt Reyes Nat Seashore(with connections to other trail systems), Lost Coast Trail, other parts of the Cali Coastal Tr, the huge trail system around San Fran. Keep looking. You're looking in the wrong places. You can't tell me in No Cal, of all places, you can't put together a wk long hike.
PCT. Donner Summit (Interstate Highway between Sacramento and Reno). Northbound as far as your inclination and funds allow. There are no pesky quotas going north as there are going south through Yosemite.
Scrub the Thru Hike term from your brain. It means nothing. Go hike. Have fun.
Wayne
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I'm guessing there are hiking and outdoor meet up groups in your backyard. Google knows how to find them. You'll get more info than you need.
Wayne
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You have one of the premier backpacking trails in the world in your backyard, the John Muir Trail. There are countless routes that you can hike, it doesn't have to be a named trail. I started my serious backpacking by hiking close to a thousand miles in the Sierra on trails without three letter names. Get a map of any mountain area near you, find the little dotted lines and hike. It really is that easy and you can pick any distance you want.
Ok the winner is John Muir Trail. Thank you.
Ok the winner is John Muir Trail. Thank you.
It's easier to get a permit south to north. There is a connector trail from SEKI NP, the High Sierra Trail.
https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/high-sierra-trail.htm
Apparently SEKI and the High Sierra Trail are served by public transportation and park shuttles.
Now that you have discovered the most popular trail in North America, treat it right.
Good luck.
Wayne
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MuddyWaters
07-28-2017, 21:20
always the bigfoot trail too
Not sure the state of marking, etc on it
Spirit Walker
07-29-2017, 10:44
Tahoe-Yosemite Trail might be easier to get permits than the JMT. Tahoe Rim Trail for a loop hike. Pt. Reyes is great hiking for a short trip. Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness has some good hiking as well.
The TRT seems like a perfect training ground for anywhere in the Sierras. You can even get a taxi for a shuttle. There might be a spot or two where water is scarce. The TRT Association can get you sorted on all of that.
Wayne
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Thanks guys, look at info and planning a trip for next year. It looks like you have apply for a permit 168 day before your actually travel date. I was thinking of going in mid augest of 2018. I will check out the Tahoe rim trail as well.
Don't know how close it is, but I walked around crater lake last fall. Magical place, very few people except at visitor centers.
Thanks guys, look at info and planning a trip for next year. It looks like you have apply for a permit 168 day before your actually travel date. I was thinking of going in mid augest of 2018. I will check out the Tahoe rim trail as well.
Permit:
As I said earlier, starting in the south and hiking North Bound is less crowded. Using the High Sierra route is also very viable and more easily accomplished. Be flexible. Don't pick one start date and live or die with it. August is also the popular month. Earlier could be snow packed. September is also popular but maybe not as busy as August.
Get over your infatuation with popular designated trails and you can hike without hassles. Budget for a bear can and a pack to carry it.
Good luck.
Wayne
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Don't know how close it is, but I walked around crater lake last fall. Magical place, very few people except at visitor centers.
A greener, wetter version of the TRT. Truly unique in North America.
Mt. Ranier's Wonderland Trail is another west coast classic.
Wayne
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If the JMT permit process gets you down, there is an alternative. Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone.
https://backcountrypost.com/threads/the-theodore-solomons-trail-southern-portion-sierra-nevada-july-6-2017.6993/
Enjoy!
Wayne
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Thank you ��
If the JMT permit process gets you down, there is an alternative. Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone.
https://backcountrypost.com/threads/the-theodore-solomons-trail-southern-portion-sierra-nevada-july-6-2017.6993/
Enjoy!
Wayne
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Pick a Wilderness Area. Piece together a loop.
Enjoy!
https://backcountrypost.com/threads/sierra-2017-ansel-adams-wilderness.7004/
A few WhiteBlaze members are doing something similar in the Wind River Range soon.
Too many trails. Too little time.
Wayne
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