Wildflowers abound this time of year, and so do free, guided hikes by area groups that are aimed at identifying and exploring cool wildflowers. Below is information from the Sonoma County Regional Parks and from the Sonoma Land Trust, each of which is sponsoring a series of walks [...]
There are lots of fundraisers happening this winter and spring, all in support of area parks, but this one may be the most picturesque: A Santa Rosa gallery this Saturday night will be the spot for a art show to benefit the effort to keep Annadel State Park open. The [...]
Sharing this news from the ever-active Sonoma County Regional Parks: RAINDROP EXHIBIT, FAMILY HIKES AT SPRING LAKE’S ENVIRONMENTAL DISCOVERY CENTER “Down the Drain: A Raindrop’s Journey from Cloud to Creek” opens today (Feb. 15) at the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park. This exhibit offers families a fun, [...]
Ken Johnson of North Coast Fire and EMS Training, an area group which offers courses in wilderness first aid and advanced rescues, among other topics, sent along this guest post on how to stay safe while hiking. As someone who has been on hikes where medical assistance has come into [...]
If you've tried to get into Sugarloaf Ridge State Park recently, you've noticed the difficulty. In addition to the park gates being closed, there are no-parking signs posted in places outside the park where people would often park. And even where there aren't signs posted, tickets are still [...]
News from the Sonoma County Regional Parks: Join a Regional Parks ranger on a four-hour guided hike at Tolay Lake Regional Park on Saturday, Feb. 11th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay Area while learning about this incredible property and its history. This hike [...]
Sharing this news from the good folks at the Pepperwood Preserve, an extraordinarily interesting (and local) place to hike. If you haven't been out there, it's worth a visit. _____________________________________ Join an interpretive hike of Pepperwood on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. This is a moderate 4-5 [...]
I'm not a dog owner, but I certainly see plenty of dogs on trails, from rigorous ones to easy local walks. A reader asks the question below. Feel free to respond in the comments, or if you'd prefer, email me and I'll add the responses to this blog entry. "I've [...]
I've never been to Mono Lake, located just east of Yosemite, but I've heard the 1-million-year-old watering hole is gorgeous. It's also having an early Christmas as it just got removed from the state parks' closure list. How did they do it? More than 4,000 signatures to the governor's office [...]
By Lynn Millar I am a walker, a blogger about walking and a writer. The pending closure of Jack London State Historic Park next summer hits me particularly hard. Last year, the park celebrated its 50th anniversary. A library room opened in the museum at the House of [...]
Much of the attention over state parks closures has focused on a few popular spots, but there are many others around the North Bay that are also shutting down by next summer. And some have already trimmed their hours significantly, so if you’re looking for a new, but close to [...]
A Buffalo 
, New York native, I spent half of my life hibernating indoors, but for the past five years I have basked in the thrilling opportunity to enjoy year round hiking on the many trails of beautiful Northern California. In this blog I will continue in the tradition of trailhead, to recap the hikes I have taken and share the insights of my fellow hikers. Along with day hikes, I am also interested in dog friendly trails, and backpacking trips as well. Please feel free to offer suggestions of where I should hike next, or share tales of where you have explored. . Guest blog entries are extremely welcome as are your photos from your own hikes.