Ferns are a constant companion throughout Northern California’s seasons.

      March

      A highly variable month, March can continue to bring wintry storms or break into long stretches of warm sunshine. Regardless of how frequently they come, the first spring days arrive this month and herald the start of wildflower season. Open slopes along the coast burst with color, views remain generally clear throughout the Bay Area, and oak woodlands flourish green. Big Sur (Hikes 1–6) can be downright hot during sunny spells.

      April

      Though much like March, April has increasing sunshine and warm weather. Fog can already begin to reappear on the coast, making this the last good month for fog-free coastal adventuring. Oak woodlands explode with wildflowers and Henry W. Coe State Park (Hikes 9 and 10) is a choice destination. This is also a great time for a coastal adventure north of the Bay Area, especially the North Coast region (Hikes 45–52). Pummeled by rain and/or fog much of the year, the area experiences some of its nicest weather this month, when tourist crowds are absent.

      May

      The winter snowpack begins to melt at higher elevations, and hikes below 5,000 feet open for the season. In the northern Coast Range, Yolla Bolly Wilderness (Hike 44) often provides one of the season’s earliest higher-elevation destinations. Mountain rivers rage with snowmelt, the waterfalls of Feather Falls (Hike 71) and Yosemite Valley (Hike 85) are spectacular, and deep river canyons offer summer heat and wildflowers, including the South Yuba River (Hike 73). Warm, sunny days on the coast are intermittent as the fog begins to increase, hills in the Coast Ranges begin to brown, and summer haze begins to collect, ending the prime Bay Area hiking season. Crowds remain surprisingly light until Memorial Day, when the summer hordes instantaneously appear.

      June

      The winter snowpack continues to melt, but hikes above 8,000 feet usually remain snow covered and inaccessible all month. The cable route on Half Dome (Hike 86) is usually put up early in the month, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (Hikes 97–101) offer great early-summer adventures. Coastal fog continues to increase, and the heat in the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills starts to become oppressive. The summer crowds come out in force at popular destinations.

      July

      Unless it has been an unusually heavy winter, virtually all hikes are open by July and the three-month high-elevation season has begun. While the Sierra Nevada is the destination of choice, with its wide variety of alpine hikes, also consider a trip north to Mount Shasta and the Klamath Mountains (Hikes 53–59). Wildflower season begins to taper off as the month progresses. Fog and crowds are heavy along the coast. Avoid the Fourth of July weekend if at all possible.

      August

      Though much like July, the very highest elevation hikes to Palisade Glacier (Hike 96) and Sawtooth Peak (Hike 101) sometimes don’t become snow free until this time. Coastal fog is as thick as it gets, statewide temperatures max out, and crowds remain heavy all month long.

      September

      This is a great month to be anywhere in the mountains. Summer vacation ends for a lot of people on Labor Day and crowds suddenly vanish, yet the weather typically remains ideal across the state. It’s a good time to visit the Trinity Alps (Hike 54), Lake Tahoe (Hikes 76–77), and trips in the eastern Sierra. Coastal fog begins to diminish, and high elevations become increasingly cold at night.

      October

      This is a great month to be anywhere in California. It is the month of Indian summer, when the sun shines day in and day out, coastal fog finally disappears for the season, and fall colors fluoresce in the mountains. Hot summer weather lingers on a tour of the Modoc Plateau (Hikes 60–69) as the aspens of empty South Warner Wilderness (Hike 64) rustle gold in the breeze. Higher-elevation hikes usually remain open, but nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing. Be aware that hunting season opens early in the month on national forest lands; wearing bright colors is a good idea. Near the end of the month, temperatures begin to swing markedly and the first winter storm often strikes the state.

      November

      Much of California closes to hiking as snow begins falling in the mountains and a chill sets in at higher elevations. Intermittent winter storms occur and air quality and visibility start to improve in the Bay Area. Fall lingers in the low-elevation foothills of the Sierra Nevada for the first half of the month—Rubicon River (Hike 74) is a pleasant destination. Stay coastal or in the Bay Area otherwise.

      December

      Daylight dwindles to a minimum as California slips into the depths of winter and hiking days get shorter. Weather is variable; long stretches of rain, cold snaps, and sunshine can all occur. Remain strictly coastal or enjoy views in the Bay Area.

      The Different Governing Agencies

      This book visits a wide variety of parks and forests managed by a number of different governing agencies. Regulations often vary by location but generally are the same within each group. The four most commonly visited areas in this book are national parks, state parks, national forests, and wilderness areas managed by national forests. A miscellany of other governing agencies are represented as well, including the Bureau of Land Management and various city and county parks.

      National Parks

      Run by the federal government (Department of the Interior), national parks are designated to preserve and protect unique natural features and wilderness. Generally very user friendly, they tend to draw substantial crowds and often have amenities like small stores, hot showers, and well-maintained campgrounds. Free park maps are handed out, and driving is easy. Regulations are generally strict—car camping is permitted only in designated sites, wilderness permits are always required for overnight trips into the backcountry, trail quotas are common, and dogs are never permitted on the trail. Entrance fees are charged for all national parks.

      State Parks

      Run by the state of California, state parks are generally small and protect a wide variety of natural features. They are common along the coast and tend to be the most costly places to visit—day-use fees are always charged, and state park campgrounds