Looking for recommendations.

[ChuckDizzle]

I'm looking to take my wife on her first backpacking trip. I've been out of the game for over ten years and all my old spots in the Emigrant Wilderness are a little advanced for both of us.

I'm in the central valley, in Manteca. I checked into Skycamp at Point Reyes and it was all booked up. Does anyone have recommendations for a place where we could do an easy intro hike for an overnighter that wouldn't be heavily booked up?

Because it is just an overnight trip I'm not too concerned with development of the sites.

[Mitch]

Could help you if you down south here. Well, maybe not, since the Lake Fire . . .

[CandG]

I'm looking to take my wife on her first backpacking trip. I've been out of the game for over ten years and all my old spots in the Emigrant Wilderness are a little advanced for both of us.

I'm in the central valley, in Manteca. I checked into Skycamp at Point Reyes and it was all booked up. Does anyone have recommendations for a place where we could do an easy intro hike for an overnighter that wouldn't be heavily booked up?

Because it is just an overnight trip I'm not too concerned with development of the sites.

Bull Run Lake is a good one, in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness (take hwy 4 a little past Lake Alpine. I forget the name of the trailhead but it's pretty obvious, good parking). About a 3 mile hike each way, easy for beginners, but you won't see many people out there. 10 years ago the lake had some good fishing, not sure how it is these days. Gorgeous high country out there though, I think you guys would enjoy it. I can send you more specifics if you're interested

[cabikefreak]

Check out lakes basin near Grayeagle. There are several short hikes to alpine lakes but at low elevations (6000 feet). Gold Lake trailhead is one but there are several. Spectacular, not all that well known and some good food in Grayeagle and Blairsden. Check it out for sure.

[dmendoza1779]

Tag. Kinda far but you could also check out Boggs Mountain State Forest.

[ChuckDizzle]

Bull Run Lake is a good one, in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness (take hwy 4 a little past Lake Alpine. I forget the name of the trailhead but it's pretty obvious, good parking). About a 3 mile hike each way, easy for beginners, but you won't see many people out there. 10 years ago the lake had some good fishing, not sure how it is these days. Gorgeous high country out there though, I think you guys would enjoy it. I can send you more specifics if you're interested

That sounds perfect. I'll send you a PM for more details.

Thanks for the other responses fellas, those also look like great spots to hit in the next couple months as hopefully the wife enjoys the trip and it becomes a new thing for us.

[CandG]

Let us know how goes!

[Bainter1212]

You could do Fourth of July lake up at the Carson pass. 5 miles in and 5 miles out. Great scenery. No campsites, dry camping only wherever you park your butt.

[echo1]

CD,

I'm in Ripon and have a crew "echo1", we get all over the place. In June I took my 75 year old cousin on our first pack trip together. PM me, I know all the close places that aren't to extreme and have water with fish. How far and how much "up" can you take? When I retire soon I'm going to outfit and guide so I've got a ton of gear for rent. Old picts of some of my people and stuff. PAX

[echo1]

Bull Run Lake is a good one, in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness (take hwy 4 a little past Lake [Alpine. I forget the name of the trailhead but it's pretty obvious, good parking). About a 3 mile hike each way, easy for beginners, but you won't see many people out there. 10 years ago the lake had some good fishing, not sure how it is these days. Gorgeous high country out there though, I think you guys would enjoy it. I can send you more specifics if you're interested

It's Stanislaus Meadow. Could be a tad arduous for a tenderfoot climbing up to Bull Run. Goes down, then up, up, up. Not too far but she'll need flat or a gradual ascent and close, not to bum out on the first go round. PAX

[coryhenry]

It may be a little far but Cottonwood Meadows to Cottonwood Lakes in the Eastern Sierras is a great hike. It starts at 10,000 and goes to 10,200. Its only about 6 miles and gorgeous.

[ChuckDizzle]

Well babysitter flaked and we're now car camping with our 5 year old

But at least I've got all the gear and this will make for a nice run to test out our packing list for a near future run.

Definitely going to hit you up Echo, looks like a fun group.

[Friesland]

Tagged, and echo 1 keep posting/update. Also looking to "get a way". Are dogs welcome?

What happens when dogs are added to the hiking/camping question?

[echo1]

Tagged, and echo 1 keep posting/update. Also looking to "get a way". Are dogs welcome?

What happens when dogs are added to the hiking/camping question?

We usually take dogs, in the pre-kid years there was always a pack, 5 Aussies at least. Technically you have to maintain control of your creatures. Obedient voice command is/was recognized as control. Our dogs have their own backpacks, carry their own food. If it's the dry/hot time of the year, I've developed equal load H2O carry bladders too, so they have hydration. PAX