Although in this area many destinations can be reached in a day's hike both in and back out, why rush? Sierra Outdoor Recreation offers some of our favorites for a weekend or even a week of exploration.

A few reminders:

Leave Information on your Schedule

If you are setting out on a difficult or challenging trail, especially if you intend to stay over one or more nights, leave your agenda and schedule with someone who will be able to notify authorities if you don’t return on time.

Carry Safety Items

Even for day trips of a few miles, carry safety items with you, such as matches, sufficient water or purifiers, rain gear or water-resistant covering, flashlight, and map. Carry a “space blanket” or something similar that will keep you warm and dry even through a night -- just in case. This is especially true when setting out on challenging hikes.

Cellular Telephones

Don’t assume cellular telephones will be able to connect to a relay -- they seldom do in our area. If you do carry a phone, don’t rely on it. If you do carry one, take the phone number of the local sheriff’s office of the area you are heading into. Dialing 911 connects you to a centralized office that could be miles from your site. Personnel in these offices miles away from your hiking area are not likely to be familiar with where you are lost or need help.

Drinking Water

Drink plenty of water. Purify or bring from home all drinking water. Giardia is a problem everywhere in the mountains. Giardia lamblia lives in the small intestines of wild animals and is spread by their fecies. It is readily transmitted to humans who drink water infested with the parasite. Only the best of filters can remove it from the natural water. Boiling at a vigorous roll for 5 minutes normally will kill the parasite. Once infected, humans can suffer for years even under treatment. In short, don’t, don’t, don’t drink untreated water fresh from any wild source, any where, anytime.

Avoid Pests

Learn to identify and avoid poison oak; check for ticks and, if necessary remove them properly (in season, they will land on you); avoid snakes and they’ll avoid you; and beware of situations where Hanta Virus can exist. It is spread chiefly by wild rodents and can cause acute respiratory illness, kidney failure and other syndromes. Avoid feces and materials collected for nesting rodents which love to live in old buildings or other dry places.

Private Lands

Private lands overlay much of this area. Avoid or get permission first if the land is posted. Large entities such as Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), Nevada Irrigation District (NID), and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) lands have made their lands available to recreationists. Further permission is not required unless you are doing something other than casual recreation.

TRAIL CRITERIA:

......Miles

listed show the length of individual trails and are one-way unless noted as a “loop,” which brings you back to the starting point. Remember to double mileages for the return -- unless you intend to link to another trail and venture off in a different direction. We discuss numerous options.

......Difficulty ratings

are subjective. Although mileage is one-way except for loops, difficulty ratings often assume you’ll return on the same trail. For example, going downhill to a destination may be easy or moderate, but if the uphill return is much tougher, then the rating reflects that. We often indicate the difficulty rating for each direction.

............(1) ADA (Americans Disabilities Act)

Ratings reflect wheelchair suitable trails or trails useable by blind persons if accompanied by guides or guide dogs.

.............(2) Gentle trails

indicate a firm, hard surface tread with few tripping hazards. These are usually suitable for individuals with walking limitations, such as the use of canes. When using these trails, it is important for individuals to recognize their abilities and limitations. It is strongly recommended they be accompanied by able-bodied adults to assist as necessary.

............(3) Easy

is a fun hike for families with young children or moderately healthy seniors. Tripping hazards do exist but are less frequent than the more difficult trails. Some uphill grades will be encountered but are relatively gentle or short. Trails tend to be shorter in length.

............(4) Moderate

includes some steeper grades or rough footing, and are suitable for reasonably healthy hikers with some experience. Length of the trail to the destination becomes a factor and must be weighed against the health and confidence of each hiker. Proper clothing, good boots, and emergency gear should be considered.

............(5) Difficult

trails contain steep, sustained grades, rough footing, or are long hikes and are recommended for experienced hikers accustomed to mountainous hiking. Elevation gains and losses are frequently a major consideration. Carrying detailed maps such as topographic maps plus emergency gear is encouraged.

............(6) Challenging

trails contain major elevation gains or losses, steep grades, and (usually) long distances. These are best suited for hearty, experienced hikers who are fit, confident, self reliant -- and know it! Users of these trails should carry detailed maps such as topographic maps and should carry proper emergency gear.

......Elevations

shown first are trailhead altitudes, and the last is the one-way destination -- unless it’s a loop where the elevation is the same. When there are significant elevation changes from a sustained grade, the listing includes one or more elevations describing intermediate high or low points. The intermediate climbs over a ridge or drops into drainages are often as important as the beginning and ending elevations.

......Time

is based on hiking an average of two miles per hour, which normally includes short breaks and picture taking. If trails are difficult or challenging, we’ve varied estimated times to reflect that. Remember to approximately double the time to account for the return trip -- unless trials are either a loop or you intend to take a connecting trail.

......Topographic maps

refer to a 7 ½ minute topographic quadrangle map created by U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). They are also commonly referred to as “quad” maps. They depict the topographic relief of mountain slopes, ridges, and valleys by contour lines as well as map symbols for both natural and man-made features. They cover slightly less than 64 square miles.

Topographic maps are the best maps available for back-country users. SierraOutdoorRecreation.com provides smaller sections of the larger topographic quad maps for the more popular, individual or groups of clustered trails. Full sized 7 ½ minute topographic quadrangle maps can be ordered from the USGS at www.usgs.gov or purchased at the better outdoor recreation retail stores.

Campgrounds with Hiking - Backpacking opportunities

Exceptional

Reservoirs with Hiking - Backpacking opportunities

Exceptional

River-Stream Access with Hiking - Backpacking opportunities

Good

Trails with Hiking - Backpacking opportunities

Exceptional Best Good