Nor Cal Hiking

With Spring officially upon us, and the sun shining bright, it’s time to dig out your hiking boots and hit the trails. Luckily for us, living here in beautiful Sonoma County, this area and surrounding areas are filled with great trails to suit every hiker from the casual stroller to the most extreme outdoors men. With the wonderful spring weather that brings about flowers in full bloom and luscious green hillsides from the winter rains, everyone should find the time to get out and enjoy the scenery. Take advantage of Nor Cal and experience all the scenic locations available, which there is definitely not a shortage of.

From an after class social hike with friends at local hot spots like Sugar Loaf Ridge, Armstrong Redwoods, Petaluma Adobe, or even just Crane Creek Regional Park around the corner from campus to the more intense and longer weekend outings at places a little further like Golden Gate State Park or China Camp. The options are endless, the views are awesome and the benefits are valuable. Good for the mind, body and soul.

If you’re wanting to see more than the mountains, make for a day trip and take a scenic drive to the coast to places like Sonoma Coast State Park nudged between Bodega Bay and Jenner or Point Reyes National Seashore that expands to over 150 miles of rocky, coastal trails. Beyond the vast tidelines of Point Reyes, lie the surrounding forests, which are home to bobcats, coyote, raccoons, deer and elk. You might even get lucky and catch glimpses of elephant seals, whales, sea lions and snowy plovers throughout the different seasons on the coast side. It is a perfect opportunity to experience the differing habitats of the rugged beaches to the mountainous terrain.

To help kick-start your fun, hiking adventure, here are two of my favorite places in the area...

In close range is Annadel State Park, a local favorite of mine, nestled in the mountains of Santa Rosa. Highlighted by Lake Iisanjo and Ledson Marsh, tucked in the heart of the park, Annadel has over 35 miles of hiking ranging from the very moderately graded ‘Spring Creek Trail’ to the more strenuous elevation of ‘Steve’s "S" Trail’. Leading through a forest of Redwoods and Douglas fir, both are likely to be enjoyable and provide stunning views of the various wild flower covered hillsides, sword ferns, blue-eyed grass and abundant wildlife. And if fishing is of interest, don’t forget to stop by Lake Iisanjo, for a mid-hike breather and try catching some black bass or bluegill.

For the more advanced hiker, there is the famous Muir Woods, at about an hours drive south off the 101, and more than worth it. Muir Woods is a National Park and quite the sight to see. Once you step foot into the park, you will quickly find for yourself why it is such a tourist destination with more than 800,000 visitors from all over the world each year to get a glimpse of nature at its best. The entrance of Muir Woods is "not so natural," with paved paths full of tourists and cameras in hand to capture the moment, but is a decent enough walk for the less adventurous hiker or just those who want to see the spectacular sight without working up a sweat. Covered by the tallest type of tree in the world, the Coast redwoods, which only exist in northern California and southern Oregon along a narrow 500 mile coastal strip, as well as numerous other plants and animals are all apart of the old-growth redwood forest, Muir Woods. Some of the redwood trees date back to over thousands of years old and can get as large as 350 feet tall and 18 feet in diameter. Tanoak trees, ferns, redwood sorrel, stellar jays, black-tailed deer, and banana slugs, may also be seen along the trails. Past all the hubbub and excitement from new visitors is where the ruggedness begins and where the true hikers are lured. Muir Woods has various trails ranging from hour long loops to exhausting all day hikes, with connecting trails to create your own destination or distance. After the initial inclines of most of the advanced trails, hikers are stunned by the breath taking views that reach as far as the ocean in the distance to mountain tops overlooking the entire park. Immersed in the redwood trees and flowing streams of this coastal forest, Muir Woods provides a place of pure serenity and
rejuvenation.

While in the vicinity of Muir Woods, are other great hikers destinations, including Mount Tamalpais, standing at a 2,570-foot elevation, high above redwood groves and oak woodlands. Over 50 miles of trail within the park that connects to a larger, 200-mile-long trail system including that of Muir Woods. If you’re more of an ocean lover than a mountain trekker, check out Muir Beach and Stinson Beach along the coast.

If you need to ease the stress of course exams, work or just want to catch up with some friends or take a break, a good hike is sure to do the trick. Even if you’re crunched on time, a short and simple trail can still provide a lasting effect to make it through the rest of the day. The fresh air and feeling of freedom possess energy to refuel and handle the busiest of schedules. So, grab your shoes, preferably a comfortable pair with good traction, your eco-friendly, reusable water bottle and hit the trails my friends. I promise your computer will still be there when you get back. No excuses!