Looking for a stunning hike close to Stockton? Here are some ideas
With the deepest snows and wettest winter since 1951/52 blanketing the Sierra, consider the impact and opportunities of four stunning destinations, close to home. These destinations are just right for a several-day trip, with both nearby campgrounds or quaint towns for those seeking motel/hotel accommodations. We cast our view to the south, west, north and east for suggestions for the coming several months, with all of these recommendations within 1.5 to five hours away.
Look south to one of the state’s loveliest of nine national parks, but one of the least visited. Pinnacles National Park is located 30 miles south of Hollister, and lies in a sheltered portion of the coastal mountains, warmer in spring and usually cooler in the summer. The park is just 2.5 hours south of San Joaquin County, where intrepid explorers will find the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano, moving steadily north a few inches each year on the San Andreas Fault, distancing itself from its mother volcano in the Los Angeles area!
A rugged part of the Gabilan Mountains south of Hollister, CA, Pinnacles offers a stunning landscape of volcanic spires, deep canyons, eerie talus caves, verdant foliage, rushing streams and robust wildlife, from deer, wild turkeys, bob cats and feral hogs, to the majestic California Condor with wingspans up to nine feet. Kids and grandkids can appreciate the power of nature, with the park providing dramatic evidence of the effects of heat, water and wind constantly wearing away at this alien landscape; the wet spring will bring spectacular wildflower displays throughout the park. An inviting campground is found at the park’s east entrance, and Hollister provides overnight lodging and restaurant choices.
Looking just west, stunning regional and state parks spread like an emerald blanket just right for hiking, birding and exploring fields of wildflowers. East Bay Regional Parks offer spectacular gems like Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, memorializing the riveting history of Northern California’s former coal mining district. Here, from the 1860s into the 20th century, hundreds of coal miners produced the “black diamonds” that powered steamships, railroad locomotives and heated San Francisco and Stockton homes. Other nearby parks, like Mt. Diablo State Park, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Round Valley Regional Preserve and Los Vaqueros Reservoir offer miles of trails, wildflowers, even fishing opportunities, all within 1.5 hours of San Joaquin County.
Fire and Ice… Lassen Volcanic National Park, just 3.5 hours north, shows off the park’s scalding mud pots, boiling springs and steaming fumaroles set against a snowy backdrop. The awe of volcanoes, spectacular Cascade’s scenery, quaint towns and sparse crowds are all part of this national park, a most inspiring but lightly visited wonder. Lassen is part of the "Pacific ring of fire", a ring of volcanoes that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. It's part of the ancient Brokeoff Volcano, dating back 400,000-600,000 years. Mt. Lassen itself formed 27,000 years ago from a volcanic vent on the flank of Brokeoff Volcano and is one of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes, rising to 10,457 feet.
Check the park website to find snow removal plans to reopen the main road, Highway 89 through the park. When the 29 mile stretch of Hwy. 89 through the park is open, a number of campgrounds welcome RVs, tents and walk-in campers. Stop at Lake Helen for great photos, which remains frozen into the summer at 8000 feet; another mile takes you to the road 's highest point at 8500 feet, the jumping-off point for hikers trekking to the Lassen summit, 2000 feet above. Plan the hike into Bumpus Hell, a lively area full of thermal wonders; it's only a bit further to Cold Boiling Lake. Its steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pots and hot springs are the closest thing you’ll find to Yellowstone National Park.
Extend your trip by exploring nearby Redding and its marvelous Sun Dial bridge, plentiful biking and fishing and the nearby Shasta State Historic Park. Or, journey 40 miles north to MacArthur – Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Wonderful scenery and hiking opportunities, wrapped around one of the state’s most photogenic waterfalls, Burney Falls.
Saved for last, due to current deep snows, is a visit east to the June Lakes/Mammoth Lakes area. At the foot of the rugged Eastern Sierra lies a hiker’s/skier’s/fisherman’s dream; for scenery and camping wonders, it has few equals. Once crossing over Sierra passes, go south on 395, to find the towns of June Lakes and Mammoth Lakes. The latter is home to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, one of the largest in the west, and in summer a huge mecca for mountain bikers. Just above Mammoth Lakes is the Lake Mary Campground, at 8966 feet, with thin air and gorgeous scenery, it's one of six lakes in the Lake Mary Loop, all with scenic campgrounds interconnected by paved biking and hiking trails.
Mammoth Lakes is a town that caters to tourists year-round, with lodging, restaurants, retail and sports shops, all aimed at youthful, outdoorsy visitors. Just north is the June Lakes area, with additional campgrounds basking in the glory of the high Sierra. While in the area, explore the Devils Postpiles National Monument, where, about 80,000 years ago, basalt lava flowed, as it cooled and contracted it split into the symmetrical vertical, hexagonal columns that constitute the postpiles.
For more information: East Bay Regional Parks, ebparks.org; June Mountain/Mammoth Mountain,mammothlakeschamber.org; Lassen National Park, nps.gov/lavo/; Pinnacles National Park, nps.gov/pinn/; Camping reservations, recreation.gov.
Where are you traveling? Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com. Happy exploration!
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stunning hikes close to Stockton
