Last week, I shared with you three beautiful hiking trails that are sure to delight your senses (while providing you with some great exercise!) this Spring. This week – since many of you have been asking that we at FresYes continue to share hiking trail recommendations and ideas with you, I thought I’d share my three “must try” hikes for the season ahead.
These three hikes are trails I’ve read about online but have yet to discover personally, but seeing as your schedule may be different than mine – if there’s a chance you can explore them before I do, I wanted to give you the ideas now. If you do go, please let me know about your experience, as I am truly beyond excited to plan upcoming hikes to these three locations and would love to have your tips and advice!
My Unique Trail “Bucket List” for Spring/Summer:
- Brown’s Ditch Trail – Bass Lake, CA
This trail isn’t a true “trail” in that it’s not recognized by the parks service and maintained as a trail, however it is said to be easily accessible, relatively level ground and easy hiking and a truly unique experience. This trail is partially a well-marked, dirt foot path meandering along the ground in the mountains above Bass Lake, the other part is made up of a 2-foot metal walkway that travels along the flume that carries snow melt down the mountain! Yup – that’s right, if you’re hiking this trail between February and June, you’ll be walking directly above flowing water!
There are a number of flume bridges you’ll traverse on this out-and-back trail that stretches a little over two miles and ends with a waterfall. I’d be hesitant to bring children or anyone who is easily dizzy on this hike, as the trail is above the ground and only 2 feet wide above rushing water about half of the time. But, if you’re sure footed, I think this trail is bound to offer a truly exceptional trek and view of the Valley. For more information on this trail, check out this Examiner article, written by Fresno Day Trips writer, Jonathon Cook.
This awesome video of a portion of Brown’s Ditch Trail was taken by hikers Bob and Julie, and shared on YouTube:
- Natural Bridges Trail – Vallecito, CA
This trail is a bit further drive from the Fresno Area, but it looks SO cool! I would like to take on this trek during the summer, hopefully on a weekday when it’s less crowded. Essentially, the highlight of this trail, located in Vallecito, CA just above Sonora is a swim/float through CAVE mid-trail! In fact, there’s even a second cave that’s supposedly even prettier (and less crowded) but a little more difficult to get to. This trail is a known swimming hole for people living nearer, so it can get busy so plan your visit accordingly.
- Tokopah Valley Trail to Tokopah Falls – Sequoia National Park
Tokopah Falls is the highest waterfall in the Sequoia National Park, located South East of Fresno. One of the things that really intrigues me about the trail is not just the falls, but also the many reports made within the hiker comment section on All Trails (website/app for discovering hiking trails) about the marmots and black bears that live in the area. I would love the chance to see wildlife while hiking (though I’d definitely brush up on my bear safety tips again before going on this hike) and I have never seen a marmot, and supposedly there are TONS of them on the way to the falls.
So, there you have it – my three trail “bucket list” for the Spring and Summer, at least when it comes to trails I’ve not yet hit. Do any intrigue you? Which one is most interesting to you? If you go, please do share about your experience!
Any suggested trails I’ve not yet mentioned that you’d recommend? Please do tell!
Leave a Reply