CALIFORNIA BACKPACKING TRAILS 

7 EPIC

exploringwild.com

My home state of California offers so many epic backpacking trails! From high mountains to dramatic coastline to stark desert, here are 7 of the best multi-day hikes in California.

DESOLATION WILDERNESS

Explore an alpine wonderland in this popular wilderness area near Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

CONE PEAK

Climb the tallest coastal mountain in the lower 48 states

Big Sur

MINERAL KING LOOP

Tough climbs and big views in the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains

Kings Canyon National Park

CACTUS TO CLOUDS

Challenging climb from the desert floor to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto

Palm Springs

JOHN MUIR TRAIL

Iconic long-distance trail through alpine wonderland finishing at Mt. Whitney

Sierra Nevada Mountains

BIGHORN GORGE

Route finding and scrambling through a remote canyon with fossils on the walls

Death Valley National Park

TAHOE RIM TRAIL

Circle spectacular Lake Tahoe on this long-distance mountain trail

Sierra Nevada Mountains

For more backpacking inspiration and tips, visit exploringwild.com