Christy and I returned to California in the summer of 2019. We flew into San Francisco and spent four weeks hiking, camping, and backpacking in Northern California. We started our trip with a weekend in Big Sur. (Photos). Next, we did a couple of hikes in Pinnacles National Park. (Photos). From there, we drove to Jackson, CA to visit Christy's Uncle Ed and Aunt Carolyn. We then spent two nights at their camper at Lower Blue Lake. We did a couple of short hikes together there, and I did a longer solo hike combining the Pacific Crest Trail and several other roads and trails. Highlights included The Nipple, Lost Lakes, and Granite Lake. (Photos). The next day, I did a solo hike to the summit of Pyramid Peak in the Desolation Wilderness. (Photos). From there we headed north, to Lassen Volcanic National Park. We spent 4 days there car camping and hiking. First, we hiked to Bumpass Hell. (Photos). I followed it up with a solo hike to King Creek Falls. (Photos). The next day, we did two short hikes in Warner Valley, to Devils Kitchen and Boiling Springs Lake. (Photos). I followed it up with a solo hike to Mill Creek Falls. (Photos). The biggest highlight of our visit to Lassen was the hike up Lassen Peak. (Photos). That night we car camped at Manzanita Lake, and the next morning we hiked up the Cinder Cone. in the northeast part of the park. (Photos). That afternoon we drove north, stopping at Burney Falls, three waterfalls on the McCloud River, and Castle Lake. (Photos). The next day, we hiked from Castle Crags State Park into the Castle Crags Wilderness Area.. (Photos). From there we drove through Medford, Oregon, and on to Redwoods National Park. We visited the beach and several redwood groves before doing a short backpacking trip along Redwood Creek. (Photos) and (more Photos). Next, we spent a weekend in San Francisco, so Christy could do the swim race from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco for the second time. (Photos).
