Trail Shoes Hollister CA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Length: Round Trip: 3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 2680 feet
Maximum Elevation: 2760 feet
Elevation Change: 320 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is a short, moderately difficult hike and the brown landscape interrupted with random palms make for a spectacular journey. The trail begins from Canyon Road four miles west of Twentynine Palms. From the trailhead, this route leads one and a half miles to the Fortynine Palms Oasis. The trail climbs slightly then descends into Fortynine Palms Canyon. As you approach the Oasis, you begin to notice how out of place these green giants really are. The oasis is lush with stands of fan palms and pools of water. You will be awed by the sheer size of these giant palm trees thriving on random pools of water. The flora surrounding this route and destination is very fragile, so walk carefully through this terrain.

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo
Length: One-Way: 61.4 miles
Ride Type: Loop
Elevation Change: 6300 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 5

Description: The ride up Mount Diablo and Morgan Territory Road is one of the more challenging rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. But these challenges are worth it for this rewarding ride to the top of Mt. Diablo. The climb up South Gate Road has several spots where it flattens to give riders some relief. However, the climb gets harder when you make the turn onto Summit Road. The killer is the last 1/8th of a mile at a painful 18% grade. Your descent down Summit Road and North Gate Road has several nice twists and turns, particularly several fairly tight hairpin turns near the start of the descent. After riding through Walnut Creek and Clayton, which have the busiest roads on the whole ride of the ride, the climb on Morgan Territory Road is largely shaded, which provides a welcome relief during Summer. Take care on the first half of the descent on Morgan Territory Road. The road is a single lane in spots, very steep so you gain speed quickly and has several tight blind corners. But bottom half of Morgan Territory Road is wider and the sightlines are better. The ride back to Danville on Highland and Camino Tassajara is mostly nice country riding. However, development continues nearly unabated in this part of the Bay Area so more and more if this section is becomingsuburban roads.

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Marin County
Ride Type: Loop
Best Season: Year-Round

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 6.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 2200 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The crown jewel of the San Gabriel Mountains, majestic Mt. San Antonio (10,064 ft. elevation) towers over all other peaks in the range. More popularly known as “Mt. Baldy” or “Old Baldy”, it is the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is not, however, the highest mountain in Southern California. That distinction goes to 11,502 ft. Mt. San Gorgonio, popularly known as “Old Grayback”, which is in the San Bernardino Mountains within the San Bernardino National Forest. Mt. Baldy is visible from much of Southern California and conversely much of Southern California can be seen from its summit, air pollution permitting. Not only is Mt. Baldy high, it is massive, somewhat pyramidal in shape and fairly symmetrical it looks like a king of the mountains should look. It is one of the most photographed objects of the Southern California landscape. It’s snow-covered summit has appeared on post cards and tourist literature lauding the attractions of Southern California for nearly a hundred years. Seen with its snowy summit glowing like a live coal at sunset or with snow blowing in a great plume from the top, it is an awe-inspiring sight. This hike description is the shortest and easiest way to the top, attainable by anyone of moderate Hiking ability. Do not try this trip in winter. In winter, the passage over the Devil’s Backbone section of the trail is covered with snow and ice, with precipitous drops and strong winds which can be exceedingly dangerous. In summer and fall, during good weather, there is no danger for the average hiker. Your only discomfort may be a bit of shortness of breath if you are not used to high altitudes. From the top of the ski lift, follow a path easterly a few hundred feet then turn left and follow the fire road up the ridge. The fire road ends at the Devil’s Backbone and it is trail from there on up. Total trip one way is about 3-1/2 miles and 2,200 ft. elevation gain. The first part of the trip is through sparse pine forest, giving way farther up to a few stunted Lodge pole and rare Limber Pines and bare rocky terrain. Keep an eye out for small alpine type plants along the way. An interesting short side trip from the summit is to walk over the nearly barren ridge southwest and 1/2 mile to West Baldy, a slightly lower summit. You may see a few scraps of wrecked aircraft along the way, left by an unfortunate few who didn’t quite clear the mountain. Enjoy the magnificent view from the top and return the way you came, although it is possible for properly equipped experienced hikers to return by other routes if car shuttles can be arranged. If the ski left is not operating or if you prefer to hike, you can follow the fire road up from the bottom of the ski lift past San Antonio Falls to Baldy Notch. This will add another 3-1/2 miles distance each way and about 1,500 ft. more climbing.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Yosemite National Park
Length: One-Way: 3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8500 feet
Maximum Elevation: 9300 feet
Elevation Change: 850 feet
Best Season: June to September
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Cathedral Lake Trail begins along the Tioga Road less than a mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. There is no official parking area at the trailhead, just a turn off on each side of the road with limited parking. From Tioga Road the trail leads southwestward, following the John Muir Trail to a short spur that leads to the larger Cathedral Lake. A short distance southwest from the parking area is a trail junction with the John Muir Trail and a trail that parallels Tioga Road. Cross the Tioga Road trail, following the John Muir Trail. The first half mile of the trail ascends 400 feet then levels and turns westward. Descending slightly you’ll see Fairview Dome to the north as you hike along its southern flanks. The trail dips to cross a small creek the begins the true ascent of this route. Beyond the small stream the trail ascends another 300 feet using switchbacks. Within a half mile the trail levels and begins crossing the western flanks of Cathedral Peak (el. 10,940 feet). Three quarters of a mile from the switchbacks you’ll approach a fork in the trail. The right fork leads to lower Cathedral Lake. Follow this short trail as it descends gradually to the eastern shore of the lake. Lower Cathedral Lake lies at an elevation of approximately 9,300 feet, high in the Merced River drainage. This site is heavily used by day hikers and backpackers. Although there are several campsites around the lake it is best to use this site as the destination of a day hike so as not to further impact the delicate terrain.