Annadel Park - Lawndale and Schultz Trail Loop

Since I have to work some weekends, I get an opportunity to take a day off during the week. This Thursday was one of my days off. I joined a group of Sonoma county hikers to explore Annadel Park. Just half an hour from my home, the park is large enough to house several loops of changing trails. There is no one right way to explore the park.

This hike was a 10 mile hike covering several legs of different trails - Lawndale, Schultz, Ridge and Marsh. The trails are pretty well-marked, but I felt much more confident using Alltrails. Several times I had to refer to the app to take the right turn, even with a hike leader being experienced.

Most of the hike takes place in the woods, and pine trees sporadically appear in the beginning of the hike, but the last mile is really in the woods. The trail was rocky and pretty difficult to walk on requiring all attention to be absorbed by it.

I took a few pictures though.

Overall, a decent hike in the close proximity of my place, but not something that I would want to repeat over and over again. On to the next one!

Bear Valley Trail To Coastal Trail

After 4 years, I was going back to Point Reyes National Seashore hiking Bear Valley Trail to Coastal Trail. The weather was pleasant with nice sunshine and almost no cloud cover. I arrived at the parking lot near Bear Valley Visitor Center after an hour and fifteen minute drive from Napa and met with the group.

I wasn't feeling really well today. The night before I could not really stay asleep, so I definitely did not feel at 100%, but really wanted to go on this hike that has been on my list of "to-do" hikes since I moved to the Bay area.

Luckily, the hike itself was rather easy. It started out in the woods with a wide pathway and pine trees everywhere. With very little elevation gain (under 150 ft per mile throughout the hike) it was a stroll in the forest.

The last mile of the hike was mostly exposed to the sun as we approached the shoreline. Soon enough the views of the ocean opened up, and it was so bright compared to the shady hike in the forest that it felt like it was a completely different hike.

Bay area hikes are really amazing. They are so different from anything in Southern California, and I really love the pine treed and redwoods here.

Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail, and Matt Davis Loop

Dipsea Trail, Steep Ravine Trail, and Matt Davis Loop is a must see! It is like hiking several trails in one day experiencing ocean views, redwood-forest-like atmosphere, waterfall and streamside hiking together with plain golden hills - all in one hike!

The starting point of the loop is a dirt parking lot on the side of residential street - does not fit that many cars, but on a Tuesday was nice and plentiful of space.

I hiked counterclockwise and was quickly emerged into these terrible views.

It was nice and cool, lots of protection from the sun by trees and its foliage. Elevation gain happened pretty rapidly for the first 2 miles. In fact, I was quite a bit out of breath, not even sure why.

I had glimpses of the ocean in the breaks of the forest, but quickly was returned to the depth of the woods and more elevation gain. The trail was really well maintained.

Soon enough I emerged from the woods to be fully exposed to the sun in the middle of fields that a few weeks earlier were probably covered by wildflowers. The views continued to amaze...

It's the contrast of yellow and dry grass and bright green pine trees with blue ocean merging with just as blue sky that make me stop and really be present in that moment for a minute.

As I was getting to think these fields would just continue for the rest of the hike, woods reappeared. Everything was green again! I wondered if I were in the Twilight Zone...

The ladder was a nice adventure, especially for someone who is afraid of heights

I exited the forest to have a wide view of the ocean yet again. This time the field in front of me was beautifully green.

It was probably one of my favorite hikes in the Bay area so far. I will definitely be back here again!

Jack London Mountain Trail

I didn't even realize I lived within 30 minutes from Jack London's residence! Now part of Jack London State Historic Park, the cottage where this famous writer lived is accessible to public. I didn't get a chance to visit it on my first try, but hopefully when I come back I will get to walk where Jack London walked years ago. 

The park is filled with history and is very well marked. Some buildings are intact and could be visited from inside and outside. My main goal for today was to have a nice hike. Jack London Mountain Trail is one of the most popular ones, although I hardly saw anyone complete it today. I wonder if people now started to travel more beyond their state, so parks are not as overwhelmed as they were in the midst of the pandemic.

The parking lot is pretty large, and the park requires a $10 entry fee at the booth. There was lots of parking when I got there in the morning at 9 am (this is when the park opens) and when I left later in the early afternoon. The hike started out with some history as I visited a few buildings that belonged to the writer.

This was a destroyed winery area

The hike continued along the working winery and was initially pretty flat, but as soon as I got deeper into the forest, the elevation gain started to increase.

I enjoyed being in the forest again, walking on soft soil covered by pine needles combined with fallen leaves.

Pretty soon I saw several deer right by the train chowing down some tasty leaves from trees. They were cautious, but not really afraid. Clearly, I was not the first human they have seen.

I continued to the last part of the incline, exposed to the sun. The trail narrowed to almost nothing making me doubt myself whether I wanted to brush against tall grass fearing acquisition of ticks. I decided to take a chance given my long pants and high socks protection, but was also very careful looking out for snakes. The trail became really steep, but the destination was so close, it motivated me to push forward.

The end of the trail lacked culmination. While there was a bench and a nice view, I guess I expected something more significant.

Nevertheless, I sat on the bench enjoying the warmth of the sun and headed back. 

I knew that a reward was waiting for me - I preordered sushi and seaweed salad at Aji Sushi & Grill - both turned out delicious!

Hunters Camp to Creekside Connector Loop

On a Tuesday morning, I was eager to go on a hike. I was not supposed to be at work until 3 pm, so I had some time to experiment and see if I can handle being active for a full day. The hike was about an hour and a half away. On the way back I was planning to stop by a restaurant to pick up my Yelp treat - a Mexican taco!

The hike was Hunters Camp to Creekside Connector Loop. The reviews said that there was very limited parking available, but on a weekday there were only two other cars at the trailhead. There was really no parking lot at all, just a pull off on a residential street. The hike started out with views of deep forest with little sun shining through.

Being alone felt a bit strange... It's like being part of a mysterious movie where something most likely was waiting right at the end of this trail or hiding behind a tree. Instead, there were pretty wildflowers, buzzing bees and weirdly colored banana slugs.

The trail continued downhill, a pleasant walk in the woods.

Soon enough there was an intersection, and I continued straight instead of turning left as the sign said. The GPS finally showed that I was off route.

I continued down Willow Creek Rd a bit longer hoping that it would eventually merge with the Hunters Camp Rd, but I was just getting further and further away from my track. I decided to turn around.

After making the correct turn, I started climbing back uphill. The elevation gain was consistent and quite physically challenging. That was probably because I was on my 3rd day of intermittent fasting, something that I will not try again days in a row. 

I was back on track and on the way back to my car. The shade has become pleasant shielding me from the warmth of the sun. After reaching my car, I drove to Sebastopol and treated myself to a taco, stopped at a Russian grocery store and took a shower at the gym before heading to work. What a wonderful day!

Taco with mushrooms and potatoes

Mount Saint Helena Trail

There are some days when you just need to get out and absorb the energy from the forest. Today was one of those days.

I left my apartment early in the morning and arrived at the trailhead to hike Mount Saint Helena Trail around 7.30 AM. There are two small parking lots on both sides of the road, and I was one of the first 5 people to park there. The hike started in the depth of the forest with some traffic noise - a strange combination.

I wore my brand new hiking shoes that my mother got me for my birthday. I got the same pair that I have been wearing since 2016, Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot. They felt comfortable from the first moment I put them on.

The day was starting out really nice and warm, and I quickly took my jacket off. Finally, the summer is coming! Since moving from Southern California to the Bay area, I've been cold a lot more than what I have become used to in SoCal.

The first mile or so of the hike was fully shaded in the woods, but right after Silverado Mine, the trail became fully exposed to the sun. The views were amazing from there on.

On the way up there were very few people - one of the benefits of getting up and starting hiking early. I got to the top with 360 views of Calistoga and the valleys.

I spent 20 minutes enjoying the cool breeze and recorded these short videos:

The way down was easy (duh!), but the number of people hiking up increased significantly. I was glad to be on the way down. Another wonderful hike in NorCal!

Muir Beach to Hill 88

Ah, coastal views... You can never go wrong with a hike with coastal views. This particular one started at Muir Beach and was supposed to lead all the way to Rodeo Beach, part of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

The parking lot is of moderate size, but fills up quickly, so I would recommend getting there before 8 am. Because it is the parking lot for the beach, the afternoon crowd dragging their coolers and stereos together with 15 children might not be your cup of tea (=avoid at all costs).

The trail I ended up taking was somewhere in between Muir Beach to Hill 88 and Muir Beach to Rodeo Beach. For the most part, both trails coincide and only split up at the last few miles going in opposite direction. The trail is not very difficult, but strenuous in that you have to climb 3 peaks. The first hill is very doable, maybe 400 ft elevation gain, the second peak is close to 600 and the last one is around 850. That means that you have to go up and down quite a bit.

I personally prefer one-peak hikes where you endure the misery of gaining elevation and then on the way back peacefully enjoy the downhill. With that said, it is not as good on your muscles and knees, but your mind is happy. 

The views were pretty incredible from the very beginning. The day started out cloudy and cool, and this is what Muir Beach from above looked like around 8.30 am.

As I hiked the first hill, I realized that even after a week of hiking at the end of March, I am still out of shape. 

The day evolved and the clouds started to become sparser. 

Soon enough I was able to see the sun peeking through. The views really did not disappoint.

As I approached the junction to continue to Rodeo Beach, I noticed more and more people hiking from that direction and decided to stop at the top and head back. You know, "avoid people at all cost" mentality.

There were still lots of wildflowers. This one was the most memorable.

I was pretty tired after hiking 10 miles and after a granola bar headed back home, which took be about an hour and a half. I'd like to return and actually visit Muir Park next time. Maybe when I make a reservation...