5 Weekend Backpacking Trips in California to Do This Summer
Lost Coast Trail, King Range National Conservation Area.
Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest.
John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada.
Little Five & Big Five Lakes Loop, Sequoia National Park.
Taft Point, Yosemite National Park.
Where can I backpack in California today?
Best Backpacking Trails in California
Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. Hard• 5(7554)
Mount Whitney Trail. Hard• 5(4608)
Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak Trail. Hard• 5(5279)
Big Pine Lakes Trail. Hard• 5(1625)
Mission Peak from Ohlone College.
Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio Peak.
Mount Baden Powell Trail.
Clouds Rest Trail.
Where can I backpack in April in California?
Northern California is a great place for a spring backpacking trip!
Northern Sierra Nevada Spring Backpacking Trails
Preston Flat Trail.
Hetch Hetchy Trail to Rancheria Falls.
South Yuba River Trail.
American River Trail, North Fork of the American River.
Last Chance Trail.
Pioneer Trail.
Where can I backpack in the summer in Southern California?
10 Overnight Backpack Trips in Southern California
Crystal Cove State Park.
Santa Cruz Trail.
Barker Valley in the Palomar Mountains.
Santa Anita Canyon.
Cucamonga Peak.
Mt Baldy.
San Bernardino Peak.
Catalina Island.
Table of Contents
Where can I backpack in California in summer? – Additional Questions
Do you need a permit to backpack in California?
Permits are required to enter Desolation Wilderness, whether you are backpacking overnight or just day hiking. Overnight permits require reservations year-round and are subject to quotas during peak season, from the Friday before Memorial Day through September 30th each year.
Where can you backpack in California without a permit?
With no quota system, Plumas is a great destination for spontaneous trips, and no permits are required for most parts of the national forest . Consider visiting the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area, about a four-hour drive from SF, the Wild and Scenic Feather River, or the Mt.
Where can I camp and hike in Southern California?
15 Best Campgrounds in Southern California
Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park.
San Onofre Bluffs Campground, San Onofre State Beach.
Serrano Campground, San Bernardino National Forest.
Green Valley Campground, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Manker Flats Campground, Los Angeles National Forest.
Do you need a permit to hike San Jacinto?
Permits. A free permit is required for day hiking and overnight trips within the federal wilderness area. Please see information below about how permits work for long-distance PCT hikers or when crossing into the state wilderness area managed by Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
Can you camp on Cucamonga Peak?
Cucamonga Peak Camping Permit
There are a good amount of flat camping areas at the summit and plenty of people do an overnight there. In addition to the free permit that I just described (book online here), you will need a (free) California campfire permit. Don’t start any open campfires, just use your stove.
When should I hike the Lost Coast?
The nicest time of year to hike the Lost Coast Trail is usually from late May to early October. The Pacific Ocean buffers coastal temperatures to comfortable levels for most of the year. The Lost Coast is most pleasant for hiking between May and early October, which is usually the dry season.
How difficult is the Lost Coast trail?
Lost Coast Trail Hike Difficulty: The biggest difficulty in backpacking this rugged California coastline is that hiking in the sand and among the rocks can be difficult on your knees. The terrain is uneven and can take a toll on your body even though the elevation gain and mileage are not too intense.
Do you need a permit to backpack Lost Coast?
Overnight camping along the Lost Coast Trail requires a Backcountry Permit. Permits can be obtained through Recreation.gov, on the King Range Wilderness Permits (Lost Coast) page. No walkup permits are available. Allow at least three days for the entire hike.
Do they check permits on Lost Coast trail?
The start date of the permit is strictly monitored and visitors are required to begin their trip on the permitted start date, no exceptions. It’s imperative that visitors to the Lost Coast Trail check the tides PRIOR to purchasing a permit, as some days the Lost Coast Trail is not passable due to tide levels.
Where do you poop on the Lost Coast trail?
Coastal Environment
Please bury poop 6-8 inches in the wet sand, below the high tide line. On inland trails, you must bury your waste at least 200 feet from streams, camps, and trails.
Are there bears on the Lost Coast trail?
Wildlife on the Lost Coast Trail
Black bears frequent several of the campsites along the trail, and bear canisters are required for backpackers on the northern section.
Do you need bear spray Lost Coast?
Bears. As with every wilderness area in Northern California, bear encounters on the Lost Coast Trail are relatively frequent. Be sure to use a bear canister (more on this below) and carry a bear spray for extra peace of mind.
Do hikers carry bear spray?
Have your bear spray ready. Keep your bear spray on a belt holster or on a chest holster at all times. Never keep it in your backpack while hiking—you won’t be able to reach it in time if a bear charges or attacks you.
What to do if you see a black bear when hiking?
Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
Is the Lost Coast trail worth it?
It’s widely considered one of the most picturesque places in the United States and is well worth the trip to get there. Black Sands Beach and the Mattole campground are the most famous part of the trail, but there are other sections, as well.
How many days does it take to do the Lost Coast trail?
Most people take 2-4 days to hike (and camp) the Lost Coast Trail one way, from north to south, including a shuttle ride. There are plenty of campsites and water sources along the way.
Why do they call it the Lost Coast?
The Lost Coast is a mostly natural and undeveloped area of the California North Coast in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, which includes the King Range. It was named the “Lost Coast” after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s.
