Going to Northern Cal

“I'm heading up to the Redwoods and Mt. Shasta in June. Anyone have any suggestions as to some other cool places to go or good hikes in that region?”

“Day hikes - just north of Shasta and right near I-5 is a very nice area called Castle Crags.

Don't miss the Elk but don't get too close to them at the parks on the coast in the Redwoods. Sunset beach is spectacular. Trinity Bay is very nice, saw a sea otter there once. Patrick's Point State park is also a wonderful day hiking sort of park.

If you want a backpacking adventure there are plenty of trails. Just be sure to have a care the ticks in this area carry Lyme disease.

Marble Mountains Wilderness is very nice. Trinity Alps Wilderness is also in that area. The Canyon Creek Trail, off Canyon Creek Road near Junction City CA on Hwy 199 between Redding and Eureka/Arcata is a way to get up into the high country fast if you can only dayhike.

The PCT goes through both of these on it's way north and they are sort of rugged but small wilderness areas.

Have a great trip!”

“Here's a photo album from Castle Crags last march. It'll be much drier there in June at the lower elevations, and the higher elevations won't have snow like in the pictures, obviously. You can get a pretty good idea of the terrain, though.

Also, MTNSteve lives up there and is an excellent guide.”

“Hi embear®! That's a tough question to answer with such little info. How much time do you have? Are you looking for additional backpacking trips or just quick little hikes as you drive through the area? Do you prefer boxers or briefs?”

“Thanks for the info! I am flying into San Fran and driving up north for about 9 days in a motorhome (that will be a change:)). I am going to be with my family, so unfortunately I cannot experience backpacking in the area. We will probably just be going on day hikes. My dad has a problem with the dryness and altitude (we're from Tennessee) so I'm not sure how much he can actually do. My brother and I will try to venture off and do some long hikes/climbs.

So what's the weather like out there in June?

Buck, I'm a boxer-briefs kind of girl. How are your doggies?”

“The weather will be good for you. Castle Crags has a campground, as well.

You won't go wrong up here during that time, other than the fact that gas is going to be VERY expensive for your trip.

Good luck!”

“Don't miss fern canyon in Redwood National Park. You can spend a week just driving highway 1 up the coast. Point Reyes is nice but no camping but you can camp in nearby Samuel Taylor state park. From there head north to Ft Brag and Mccericher state park on the coast or Van Damme state park in the Redwoods. Not sure is you can get a big RV in there but you can stop at the northern trailhead of the Lost Coast trail at the Mattole river and do some dayhikes there. If you want redwoods then you must spend a couple days in Redwood Nat'l park which is actually made up of 3 different state parks. Allow lots of driving time if driving up 1 on the coast. Slow and windy but lots to see. 101 is a much easier drive but still pretty. June is the best month to climb Shasta but make sure you have crampons and an ice axe if attempting the summit and expect crowds on the mountain.”

“Ah-h-h..I did that last year..I\\\'ll warn you now..the very windy road leading from Redding to Eureka will be no fun pulling a motorhome..in fact, most California roads going East and West involve alot of very windy, up and down roads..I don\\\'t know about 96..Castle Crags campground, at least the one I went to, is right along Highway 5 and I don\\\'t remember it being very RV friendly..but, it was empty when I was there..one of the most spectacular places to visit is the road that parallels Hwy 101 in Humboldt State Forest called, Avenue of the Giants:
Avenue of the Giants

I haven\\\'t got my photos from an earlier trip of Redwood N.P., Castle Crags or around Mt Shasta off negatives an onto CD\\\'s yet..Last year I drove up HWY 1 from San Francisco..Muir Woods National Monument just North of San Fran was a nice introduction to big trees. I camped or stopped in many of the State Parks on the way up north.

The first pages of pictures in these albums refer to the coastal Redwood..

Northern California Wildlife
then there\\\'s
Big Trees in Northern California
and
Flora in Northern California”

“Rats..something went haywire..try it again..first:
Avenue of the Giants
second:
N.California Wildlife
third:
N. CA big trees
and last:
N. CA flora”

“Near Shasta, take the time to visit Falls of the McCloud River and Castle Lake. Lava Beds National Monument is good too.”

“Burney Falls is worth a look to if you end up near Redding or Lava Beds. It's crowded but very pretty and if you fish they stock the hell out Burney Creek right above the falls. If you walk a mile upstream this large creek disappears underground. Hell if you are in the area Lassen NP is one of my favorites although there will still be a lot of snow on the road through the park. Lassen is a fun dayhike.”