#dayhike — Public Fediverse posts

Got in a little bit of snowshoeing on a day hike out to see the canyon along Swift Creek, a popular Trinity Alps Wilderness location in the summer, and finally check around an old cabin.

For all the details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/01/swift-creek-snow-survey.html

#California #ShastaNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityCounty
#waterfall #nature #landscape #hike #travel #outside #dayhike #mountains #snowshoeing #snow #canyon #river #water

Got in a little bit of snowshoeing on a day hike out to see the canyon along Swift Creek, a popular Trinity Alps Wilderness location in the summer, and finally check around an old cabin.

For all the details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/01/swift-creek-snow-survey.html

#California #ShastaNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityCounty
#waterfall #nature #landscape #hike #travel #outside #dayhike #mountains #snowshoeing #snow #canyon #river #water

Got in a little bit of snowshoeing on a day hike out to see the canyon along Swift Creek, a popular Trinity Alps Wilderness location in the summer, and finally check around an old cabin.

For all the details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/01/swift-creek-snow-survey.html

#California #ShastaNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityCounty
#waterfall #nature #landscape #hike #travel #outside #dayhike #mountains #snowshoeing #snow #canyon #river #water

Got in a little bit of snowshoeing on a day hike out to see the canyon along Swift Creek, a popular Trinity Alps Wilderness location in the summer, and finally check around an old cabin.

For all the details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/01/swift-creek-snow-survey.html

#California #ShastaNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityCounty
#waterfall #nature #landscape #hike #travel #outside #dayhike #mountains #snowshoeing #snow #canyon #river #water

Got in a little bit of snowshoeing on a day hike out to see the canyon along Swift Creek, a popular Trinity Alps Wilderness location in the summer, and finally check around an old cabin.

For all the details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/01/swift-creek-snow-survey.html

#California #ShastaNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityCounty
#waterfall #nature #landscape #hike #travel #outside #dayhike #mountains #snowshoeing #snow #canyon #river #water

Off to see another waterfall, this one so great it is called Great Falls! I also experienced a few miles of historic canal tow path, wandered past some mining history, but failed to get going on the particularly rough bit of trail.

The details are all here:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/10/great-falls-of-patomac-river.html
Warning! Way too many photos included!

#Maryland #GreatFalls #ChesapeakeAndOhioCanalNationalHistoricalPark #ChesapeakeAndOhioCanal #PotomacRiver
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #canal #mining #river #waterfall #fallcolors #mine

Off to see another waterfall, this one so great it is called Great Falls! I also experienced a few miles of historic canal tow path, wandered past some mining history, but failed to get going on the particularly rough bit of trail.

The details are all here:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/10/great-falls-of-patomac-river.html
Warning! Way too many photos included!

#Maryland #GreatFalls #ChesapeakeAndOhioCanalNationalHistoricalPark #ChesapeakeAndOhioCanal #PotomacRiver
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #canal #mining #river #waterfall #fallcolors #mine

We headed out for a bunch of little hikes among the peaks of the Lassics, which tend to feature in the minds of the outdoorsy locals because they can be seen from so many places.
Many more details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/08/hiking-lassics.html

#California #SixRiversNationalForest #MountLassicWilderness #HumboldtCounty #TrinityCounty
#publicLands #NationalForest #nature #landscape #hiking #dayhike #travel #hike #outside blogpost

We headed out for a bunch of little hikes among the peaks of the Lassics, which tend to feature in the minds of the outdoorsy locals because they can be seen from so many places.
Many more details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/08/hiking-lassics.html

#California #SixRiversNationalForest #MountLassicWilderness #HumboldtCounty #TrinityCounty
#publicLands #NationalForest #nature #landscape #hiking #dayhike #travel #hike #outside blogpost

Back to Yolla Bolly for a little trail work, this time around the south mountains. This is the very southern end of the Bigfoot Trail! The first two days, we worked to Long Lake and along a connector trail for the Ides Cove National Recreation Trail.

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/06/south-yolla-bolly-square-lake-and-burnt.html

#California #TehamaCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #volunteering #volunteer #BigfootTrail #NRT

Back to Yolla Bolly for a little trail work, this time around the south mountains. This is the very southern end of the Bigfoot Trail! The first two days, we worked to Long Lake and along a connector trail for the Ides Cove National Recreation Trail.

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/06/south-yolla-bolly-square-lake-and-burnt.html

#California #TehamaCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #volunteering #volunteer #BigfootTrail #NRT

They call it the "green Trinities", but it's the Salmon Mountains and here's a few lakes and a peak on a short day hike among them.

The blog post is here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/north-trinity-mountain-waterdog-lake.html

#California #SixRiversNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #HumboldtCounty

#dayhike #hiking #nature #SixRiversNF #landscape #outside #travel #hike #SalmonTrinityPrimitiveArea #snow #flowers #BloomScrolling #wildflowers #lakes

They call it the "green Trinities", but it's the Salmon Mountains and here's a few lakes and a peak on a short day hike among them.

The blog post is here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/north-trinity-mountain-waterdog-lake.html

#California #SixRiversNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #HumboldtCounty

#dayhike #hiking #nature #SixRiversNF #landscape #outside #travel #hike #SalmonTrinityPrimitiveArea #snow #flowers #BloomScrolling #wildflowers #lakes

Next, the hike:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/black-rock-mountain-lookout.html
which visited the old Guard Station location and then climbed to the fire lookout location. Only one is still standing and none were entered.

#California #TrinityCounty #TehamaCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #TrinityNF #YollaBolly #fireLookout #nature #wilderness #publicLands #TrinityNationalForest #landscape #hike #travel #outside #peakbagger #peakbagging

Next, the hike:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/black-rock-mountain-lookout.html
which visited the old Guard Station location and then climbed to the fire lookout location. Only one is still standing and none were entered.

#California #TrinityCounty #TehamaCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #TrinityNF #YollaBolly #fireLookout #nature #wilderness #publicLands #TrinityNationalForest #landscape #hike #travel #outside #peakbagger #peakbagging

Hey, look! Actually got to the popular bit of the Trinity Alps Wilderness! Er, at a time when it's still really easy to get a parking space, even on the weekend.
The details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/04/waterfalls-and-snow-in-canyon-creek.html

#hiking #dayhike #hikingCalifornia #CaliforniaHiking #California #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityAlps #TrinityCounty #snow #waterfall #nature #landscape #travel #outside stuff like that

Hey, look! Actually got to the popular bit of the Trinity Alps Wilderness! Er, at a time when it's still really easy to get a parking space, even on the weekend.
The details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/04/waterfalls-and-snow-in-canyon-creek.html

#hiking #dayhike #hikingCalifornia #CaliforniaHiking #California #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityAlps #TrinityCounty #snow #waterfall #nature #landscape #travel #outside stuff like that

Although a little busy on a weekend day and a little bit on road, this was a surprisingly nice hike to a peak and old lookout site where the view really opened out.
Details all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/monument-peak-and-eagle-rock-lookout.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #MonumentPeak

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #TrinityNationalForest #firelookout #ruins #peakbagger

Although a little busy on a weekend day and a little bit on road, this was a surprisingly nice hike to a peak and old lookout site where the view really opened out.
Details all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/monument-peak-and-eagle-rock-lookout.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #MonumentPeak

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #TrinityNationalForest #firelookout #ruins #peakbagger

Here's the easy way to get up Hayfork Bally, if you don't want the 8.5 mile lesser maintained trail and Jeep road route:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/hayfork-bally-lookout-and-high-point.html
#California #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityCounty #HayforkBally

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger #peak #lookout #firelookout #TrinityNationalForest #Hayfork #PNW

Here's the easy way to get up Hayfork Bally, if you don't want the 8.5 mile lesser maintained trail and Jeep road route:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/hayfork-bally-lookout-and-high-point.html
#California #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityCounty #HayforkBally

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger #peak #lookout #firelookout #TrinityNationalForest #Hayfork #PNW

When I saw "Natural Bridge" on the map, I had to go see it. It's off Bridge Gulch Road in Bridge Gulch, so I'm not the only one obsessed. (Plaque words are in the alt.)

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/massacre-natural-bridge.html

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #PNW #naturalbridge #limestone

When I saw "Natural Bridge" on the map, I had to go see it. It's off Bridge Gulch Road in Bridge Gulch, so I'm not the only one obsessed. (Plaque words are in the alt.)

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/massacre-natural-bridge.html

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #PNW #naturalbridge #limestone

Back to the portion of the Bigfoot Trail that is along East Fork Tule Creek, this time the part that actually follows the creek.
Details are all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/east-tule-creek.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #EastTuleCreek

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #creek #TrinityNationalForest #CaliforniaHiking

Back to the portion of the Bigfoot Trail that is along East Fork Tule Creek, this time the part that actually follows the creek.
Details are all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/east-tule-creek.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #EastTuleCreek

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #creek #TrinityNationalForest #CaliforniaHiking

Spending a little more time down by the river side. That's the South Fork Trinity River side.

Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/lower-south-fork-river-trail.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #SouthForkTrinityRiver

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #river #goodCampingPlace

Spending a little more time down by the river side. That's the South Fork Trinity River side.

Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/lower-south-fork-river-trail.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #SouthForkTrinityRiver

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #river #goodCampingPlace

I decided it was time for a little peak bagging, complete with lookout. Oh, and a waterfall to check out and still on the Bigfoot Trail route.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/philpot-waterfall-and-plummer-peak.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #peakbagger #peakbagging #peak #firelookout #waterfall

I decided it was time for a little peak bagging, complete with lookout. Oh, and a waterfall to check out and still on the Bigfoot Trail route.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/philpot-waterfall-and-plummer-peak.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #peakbagger #peakbagging #peak #firelookout #waterfall

Starting by the historic barn and wandering down through (and once over) old growth to the tallest trees in the world at Tall Trees. All the details and so many more pictures of big trees are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/08/dolason-prairie-and-tall-trees.html
#California #HumboldtCounty #RedwoodNationalPark #RedwoodNationalAndStateParks

#hiking #dayhike #thickTrunkThursday #redwoods #forest #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #trees #tallTrees #bigTrees

Starting by the historic barn and wandering down through (and once over) old growth to the tallest trees in the world at Tall Trees. All the details and so many more pictures of big trees are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/08/dolason-prairie-and-tall-trees.html
#California #HumboldtCounty #RedwoodNationalPark #RedwoodNationalAndStateParks

#hiking #dayhike #thickTrunkThursday #redwoods #forest #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #trees #tallTrees #bigTrees

Another climb along the river to visit with the old growth stand at the top. There's more old growth out there, beyond the end of the trail, but this is the bit they'll let the public visit. While among the giants, I checked out the small.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/05/hikshari-to-old-growth-with-electric.html
#USA #California #HumboldtCounty #ArcataBLM #HeadwatersForestReserve

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #forest #magnified #redwoods #oldgrowth

Another climb along the river to visit with the old growth stand at the top. There's more old growth out there, beyond the end of the trail, but this is the bit they'll let the public visit. While among the giants, I checked out the small.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/05/hikshari-to-old-growth-with-electric.html
#USA #California #HumboldtCounty #ArcataBLM #HeadwatersForestReserve

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #forest #magnified #redwoods #oldgrowth

Out to see the northernmost reaches of the McKay Community Forest. Probably few know some of these bits even are part of the community forest.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/03/ryan-creek-and-slough.html

#USA #California #HumboldtCounty #McKayCommunityForest #hiking #dayhike #communityForest #nature #landscape #travel #outside #hike #forest #woods #trees #creek #slough #geese #redwoods

Out on the Humboldt Bay Trail, which goes a little further now, where the Elk River, the largest tributary to Humboldt Bay, reaches that bay.

New blog post and sooo many more pictures: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/03/hikshari-trail-extension-and-eureka.html

#USA #California #HumboldtCounty #hiking #landscape #nature #travel #dayhike #hike #outside #ocean #HumboldtBayTrail #EurekaWaterfrontTrail #HikshariTrail #CaliforniaCoastalTrail #GreatRedwoodTrail #railsToTrails #coastaltrail #HumboldtBay #ElkRiver

Back to US-50, I completed the circle through Nevada with one last little hike joining a pair of interpretive trails outside Fallon. The interpretive trail at Grimes Point showcases the 8000 year old petroglyphs of the area. The interpretive trail at Hidden Cave showcases the geology including the tufa with its human connections.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/grimes-point-and-hidden-cave.html

#USA #Nevada #StillwaterBLM #GrimesPoint #HiddenCave

#hiking #dayhike #desert #petroglyphs #tufa #nature #landscape #outside #travel #hike #interpretivetrail #calciumcarbonate

I finished the day popping up to a little peak for the view and a geocache.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/below-corey-peak.html

#USA #Nevada #ToiyabeNF #HumboldtToiyabeNF

#hiking #dayhike #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger

I finished the day popping up to a little peak for the view and a geocache.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/below-corey-peak.html

#USA #Nevada #ToiyabeNF #HumboldtToiyabeNF

#hiking #dayhike #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger

Stopping by a couple historic mining areas before leaving Garfield Hills.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/lazy-man-and-evening-star-mines.html

#USA #Nevada #StillwaterBLM #GarfieldHills

#hiking #dayhike #desert #mining #historicMine #ruins #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside

A journey to the high point of the Garfield Hills. It's a 2000 foot prominence peak, so "hills" seems a bit of a misnomer.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/garfield-hills-high-point.html

#USA #Nevada #StillwaterBLM #GreatBasin

#dayhike #desert #peakbagging #mountains #nature #outside #landscape #hiking #travel #hike #peakbagger #views

A journey to the high point of the Garfield Hills. It's a 2000 foot prominence peak, so "hills" seems a bit of a misnomer.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/garfield-hills-high-point.html

#USA #Nevada #StillwaterBLM #GreatBasin

#dayhike #desert #peakbagging #mountains #nature #outside #landscape #hiking #travel #hike #peakbagger #views

Some more peak bagging, but staying warmer by keeping lower. (Probably more useful was the lack of wind.) Exploring some area mining on the way up, too.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/mable-mountain-of-garfield-hills.html

#USA #Nevada #GreatBasin #StillwaterBLM #GarfieldHills #MableMountain
#hiking #dayhike #mine #ruins #nature #desert #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger

More of the grandeur of erosive forces in the Monte Cristo Range, but this time with sunlight!

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/monte-cristo-canyons.html

#Nevada #GreatBasin #TonopahBLM #MonteCristoRange
#dayhike #hiking #nature #landscape #canyon #desert #travel #outside #hike #mountains #erosion #geology

A hike to see a striking, but rather short, peak. Then on to a taller, but not so striking, peak. The geology of the Esmeralda Formation (I think) dominates interesting patches along the way.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/castle-peak-and-norman-benchmark.html

#USA #Nevada #GreatBasin #TonopahBLM #MonteCristoRange
#hiking #dayhike #peakbagger #peakbagging #desert #basinandrange #EsmeraldaFormation #geology #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains

Poking around The Crater. Because volcanos are fun!

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-crater.html

#hiking #GreatBasin #desert #volcano #nature #landscape #Nevada #TonopahBLM #basinandrange #mountains #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #peakbagging #peakbagger

Poking around The Crater. Because volcanos are fun!

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-crater.html

#hiking #GreatBasin #desert #volcano #nature #landscape #Nevada #TonopahBLM #basinandrange #mountains #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #peakbagging #peakbagger

More peak bagging in the Silver Peak Range! Grand views of the edge of the Great Basin and more from atop Rhyolite Ridge.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/rhyolite-ridge.html

#hiking #Nevada #desert #peakbagging #peakbagger #TonopahBLM #nature #views #landscape #GreatBasin #USA #travel #hike #outside #mountains #dayhike #SilverPeakRange #naturephotography #landscapephotography

Now is the time for the long hike up Emigrant Peak!

New blog post here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/12/emigrant-peak-from-emigrant-pass.html

#hiking #dayhike #Nevada #TonopahBLM #desert #deserthiking
#desertphotography #landscapephotography #naturephotography #landscape #nature #geology #rocks #blogpost #travel #hike #outside #mountains #SilverPeakRange #peakbagging #peakbagger #peak

Taking a spin around the crater of a more traditional (cinder cone) volcano at Easy Chair Crater.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/11/easy-chair-crater.html

#hiking #desert #Nevada #TonopahBLM #volcano #nature #NaturePhotograhpy #USA #shorthike #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #mountains #LunarCraterVolcanicField #blogpost #blog

Back to the usually scheduled chunks of natural things with a crater that formed when steam went critical. This happens to be a National Natural Landmark.

New blog post: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/11/lunar-crater.html

#hiking #dayhike #TonopahBLM #volcano #LunarCrater #nature #landscape #NationalNaturalLandmark #travel #outside #hike #crater #Nevada #publiclands #landscapephotography #maarcrater