The legendary American West is home to some of the most spectacular scenery, and wildlife around. From Northern California to the steamy south, it is hard to imagine a place with the range of biodiversity, flora and fauna that California plays host to. And what better way to get up close and personal with the best the golden state has to offer than on a hike through the great outdoors? Remember to pack your comfy hiking boots, a warm item or two and grab your favorite hat before heading out the front door; adventure awaits!
The Hike at McWay Falls
In a state that can boast some truly epic waterfalls, the McWay Waterfall, located on the coast of Big Sur, is truly the gold medalist among them. It is the quintessential picture postcard of California’s natural beauty, and if you haven’t hiked this trail already, boy are you in for a treat!
The trail leading to the McWay waterfall lookout point is a brief hike and a relatively easy one–clocking in at just under a mile for the whole round trip any skilled hiker should expect to complete it in less than an hour. What you get for your efforts is a picture postcard of the 80-foot drop that is McWay Waterfall, a granite precipice spilling fresh water from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State park onto a warm, sandy beach below–or directly into the Pacific Ocean itself during high tide.
Sadly you won’t be able to access the secluded cove below from the hiking trail. The beach itself is only accessible from the ocean–by boat–and the narrow beach and tidal variance mean that any stay on these shores will be short-lived. Still, it’s worth the short hike for the remarkable pictures and bragging rights for hunting out this secluded spot.
Yosemite Falls
Not to be by its coastal brother, the hike at Yosemite Falls is nothing short of spectacular. This is a longer, more picturesque hike, at around nine miles for the round trip so be prepared for a long haul. What you get for your sweat and tears is a face-to-face close-up of the tallest waterfall in the continental United States. The best time to visit is in late spring when the warming seasons have started to melt the frosty covering of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Waterfall is in full song, dropping fresh mountain water some 1200ft / 780m down the sheer cliff face, you should be able to feel the mist of this powerful force of nature on your face as you hike.
This is a tougher hike, and although there are park rangers who are available to assist visitors and to explain safety regulations to the uninitiated, the heights and the difficulty of some of the terrain may not be to everyone’s taste or experience level. In summer, you’ll definitely want to pack a lightweight hat or a spare t-shirt, as it can get very hot by noon (the rangers might advise you to leave earlier in the day to complete the hike before the midday heat becomes unbearable).
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta offers a plethora of hiking and climbing that will inspire you for years to come. Described by many as a truly spiritual experience, it is hard to discount Mount Shasta for its sheer beauty, imposing figure and challenging summit. A number of climbing and hiking routes are dotted across the many faces of this famous mountain. A hiker with average ability might think about trying the Gray Butte Hiking trail with its glorious views of the south side of Mount Shasta and of northern California. Sadly, this trail is only available in the summer months when it is most accessible, so plan your next trip from June through October.
Joshua Tree National Park
Tucked away in Joshua Tree National Park is Lost Horse Mine Loop, a picturesque Southern Californian hiking trail situated in a world-famous national park. If you are not staying at the park, you may want to head out early to be sure to get a good parking spot for the day. Starting with an ascent, hikers will head past Joshua Trees and abandoned mines with commanding views of the surrounding pleasant valley. Lost Horse mine is a now abandoned gold mine that has remained well-preserved by the desert climate. Give yourself a little extra time for exploring and see if you too can catch the prospecting bug!
See you out there!