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Backpacker Magazine – October 2001
Best Backpacking In California
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in California.
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Tags:
- Adventures |
- Vacations |
- Weekends |
- Top 3 |
- Camping |
- California |
- Yosemite |
- Sequoia/Kings Canyon |
Yosemite National Park
Even before your boots hit dirt in Yosemite, your senses will cry uncle from the onslaught of scenery. Monstrous white cliffs in Yosemite Valley, sky-piercing summits in the backcountry, vanilla-scented pine forests at every trailhead, creeks that slide in sheets across polished granite slabs, then shoot into space—the wonders never cease. A lollipop-loop up the Merced River High Trail from Yosemite Valley past Merced Lake soaks up 50 miles of splendidly underhiked terrain.
Contact: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200; www.nps.gov/yose.
John Muir Trail
If the Sierra is the "Range of Light," as John Muir said, then the John Muir Trail is its sunshine path. Tracing 210 miles across these hiker-friendly mountains and their lightly forested valleys, the trail begins at 4,000 feet in Yosemite National Park and ends at 14,494 feet at Mt. Whitney's summit.
Contact: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, (559) 565-3341; www.nps.gov/seki/bcinfo.htm.
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon may be Yosemite's lesser-known sister, but her backcountry is similarly endowed with white-granite peaks, golden-barked pine forests, and more crystal-blue lakes, streams, and waterfalls than you could ever cool off in. For a grand tour littered with lush meadows and granite-lined tarns, hike the 50-mile Rae Lakes Loop.
Contact: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, (559) 565-3341; www.nps.gov/seki/bcinfo.htm.
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READERS COMMENTS
Yeah, i would really like a recomendaition on a good 35-60 mile backcountry trail. One that has solitude, views, fishing and such. Im a suscriber but i not satisfied with the trail recomendations in magazine and website. I will continue to google or purchase books.
All of the above. There's plenty of trails out there that don't take a week or are in a national park. Try all trails app on iphone
What kind of list is this? This is a list? SHeeeeeet.
There was one backpack trip that was mentioned not too long ago by Backpacker Mag. and that was Kibbie Ridge(you have to read the finer details of articles presented). It was a moderately difficult trail to handle but nothing earth shaking. I'm 62 years of age and this was my first backpacking trip since I was 28 years old. We hiked 8 hours the first day. It was worth all the effort.
Our two day hike got us to Spotted Fawn Lake...beautiful! We hiked out of Cherry Lake. Hope that helps some of you.
I know that the above information is way too generalized...not much in the way of specifics but...pick a trail, any trail in the above mentioned areas of California wilderness. You can't go wrong!
This must be designed for some flatlander from texas to read...useless for me
I agree, I'm a subscriber to your magazine, but I can't find any valuable information here regarding backpacking trips! I'd like to be able to google backpacking trips in California and then limit the range to certain areas in CA etc.
i was recently thining about suscribing and from what limited info you really give i would not want to pay money for info i already know.
Agreed. I got excited when I saw "comprehensive guide". Three short blurbs about the most obvious backpacking spots in California is hardly comprehensive. We expect better from you Backpacker.
Agreed... While those mentioned are nice, it's hardly a list.
That's it? Where is the rest
This is seriously a "comprehensive" guide to the "best" backpacking in California? Are you joking?
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