Strawberry Rock and Little Bald Hills Trail

I hiked 1.5 miles up to Strawberry Rock, a sea stack that has risen high above the ocean due to tectonic processes, which is located near the seaside town of Trinidad, CA. The hike was a quick one with only a few steep sections. The highlight of the route was a 15 foot section of rock that is ascended with the use of a rope--which leads to a rewarding view of the Pacific to the west and surrounding ridges to the north.

After Strawberry Rock, I headed north into Del Norte County. I entered lush redwood forests and hiked the Little Bald Hills Trail. The trail itself is not all that spectacular with regard to grand vistas...but it was still a good forest hike--and my first in Del Norte. The highlight of the trip was probably the drive on Howland Hill Road, which you absolutely must do if you want to see massive redwood trees around every bend...these trees are probably the most spectacular I've seen during my years in California.

Swift Creek - Trinity Alps

I hiked the Swift Creek trail in the Trinity Alps--eventually crossing raging spring melt via a bridge, and then ascended up the trail to Granite Lake. I actually wanted to hike Seven-Up Peak, but in hindsight that was a ridiculous goal--old and new snow combined eventually increased from a few inches to many many feet. I was sinking up to my waist at times as I struggled to create a trail. Needless to say I didn't make it to Seven Up Peak; and in fact I didn't event make it to Granite Lake (although I was close). I started seeing ten foot trees buried almost to their tops, and decided I didn't want to take a chance falling through a tree hole in the snow--which if that did happen, probably would mean I wouldn't have been found until July...haha. So I turned around after a few miles of fun in late May snow. I'll be back for Seven Up in the summer!

Horse Mountain Creek - The King Range

On May 17th, I hiked 2 miles north from Shelter Cove, CA, and then headed 1500 feet up into the King Range over the course of an additional two-or-so miles. This is a really beautiful hike. Waves are constantly crashing along the coast; 4000 foot mountains rise straight up out of the sea on the northern horizon; and the ascent up into the hills is within lush forest, cascading streams, and a deep gorge dropping steeply off to the side of the trail. On my return to Shelter Cove, I investigated the San Andreas Fault, which the USGS shows running approximately through the Black Sand Beach parking area. Apparently the fault ruptured in this area during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. There is clearly a change in rock type across the fault zone. I could only imagine what it would be like to stand on that beach during a future quake.

Early May - Trinidad and Arcata Marsh

A couple of pictures of Trinidad, CA and the Arcata Marsh/Humboldt Bay at sunset during early May.

Trinidad, CA.

A sea cave near Trinidad, CA.

Arcata Marsh.

An endless sea of mud...also known as Humboldt Bay.

Salmon Mountain - Mid Spring 2019

This is the third time I've hiked Salmon Mountain--once every year I've lived in California. However, today was the first time I did the mountain when it was loaded with snow. Actually, most of the lower slopes have melted off by this point...though I did have to hike a quarter mile up the road leading to the trailhead due to random four foot drifts covering the route--I wasn't going to chance it even in a truck with 4-wheel drive.

The standard route to the summit wraps around the west side of the mountain, then ascends up the broad south face, followed by a traverse along a narrow ridge to the summit. However, I lost the trail during the last mile of the hike due to deepening snow, and ended up following the north ridge that leads to the summit. It was steep; loaded with deep firm snow; and included a few moves over rock outcrops--but the views from the ridge leading to the summit were great...lot's of air immediately to the left of my feet. The day was glorious; the sun was blazing; Mount Shasta dominated the eastern horizon; and the Klamath Mountains were all decked in late season snow. Pictures are below: