Prairie Creek Redwoods National and State Parks This area of California contains some of the largest redwoods on Earth and holds extensive old-growth forests, protected as a national park in 1968. This particular walk, using the Zig Zag Trails and Prairie Creek Trail, is entirely in old growth. It offers an enigmatic temporal departure into […]
The Wild(flower) World of Ken DeCamp
In this interview with the lead author of Wildflowers of the Trinity Alps, Ken DeCamp shares stories about the book and how he became a photographer and naturalist. Hopefully his thoughts inspire you to get out on a wildflower adventure this year!
Trillium Falls Trail
It is amazing that, just a stone’s throw from Arcata Redwood Company’s Mill B, old-growth redwood groves survive along the Trillium Falls Trail.
Central Coast Manzanitas
Manzanitas are the “rock stars” of woody shrub diversity in California. Ranging from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the coastal bluffs along the Pacific, from temperate rainforests along the north coast to arid mountain slopes in Southern California, a wealth of manzanita species and subspecies can be found in an astonishing array of environments. Manzanitas […]
Lassen Country Hikes
Download free updated maps for the Lassen Country Hikes featured in Geology of the Lassen Country by Backcountry Press.
Eureka Waterfront Trail
The route is now complete! In mid-November 2019, the city of Eureka completed the Eureka Waterfront Trail by connecting a one-block section on 1st Street. This now allows bikers and walkers to hike from Tydd Street to Herrick Avenue — all on paved Trail!
The Books That Built Backcountry Press
In 2012, after nine years of writing Conifer Country, the book had evolved into my Master’s Thesis at Humboldt State. Based on all the time and energy we had put into this book, my wife Allison and I decided to take the leap and start our own small business. We had options with other publishers […]
Rees Hughes and Humboldt Trails
Learn about current and future opportunities with the Volunteer Trail Steward program and Humboldt Trails with this interview with Rees Hughes. For 10 years now Volunteer Trail Stewards have made it possible for the county and municipalities to expand our trail system. Maintenance and upkeep is always a concern, but volunteers have kept costs so […]
2019 Humboldt County Trails Updates
Inland Mountains Chris Valle-Riestra is an exceptional volunteer and trail steward–with a particular fondness for the Klamath Mountains. He has been spearheading trailwork in the Orleans Ranger District for many years and knows the trails well . He has updated conditions of trails on the forest for fall 2019. Click through to the hiking descriptions […]
Big Tree – Elk Prairie Loop
Prairie Creek Redwoods National and State Parks The most extensive accessible trail system in Humboldt County is in the Elk Prairie/Big Tree areas of Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and Redwood National Park. This trail system offers many ways to mix and match the trails that network this area. Included in the route are magnificent […]
Bumpass Hell Trail
Hiking Bumpass Hell is one of the most popular destinations in the Lassen Country with geologic features including hot springs and clay-altered bedrock.
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park
In the hinterlands of Humboldt County, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is a wonderland of old-growth redwood forest and swimming delights.
Lassen Geology
The new book by Backcountry Press (2019) unfolds and demystifies Lassen geology while offering a window into on of California’s most compelling geologic wonders.
Guatemala bearberry
Guatemala bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi subsp. cratericola) is the only subspecies of manzanita not included in Field Guide to Manzanitas!
Drury – Chaney Groves Trail
The Drury-Chaney Groves trail bisects the flat alluvial bench populated with redwoods that lie between the Avenue of the Giants and US 101.
Forest Service seeks to acquire two botanically spectacular parcels
Trinity Alps Wilderness From Julie Kierstead-Nelson, Shasta-Trinity National Forest Botanist Hello friends and plant lovers–the two parcels we (Shasta-Trinity NF) have been offered by a private owner are in the heart of the Trinity Alps, in the Klamath Ranges, one encompassing most of Bowerman Meadows, the other Emerald Lake at the head of Stuart Fork. […]
Potawot Health Village
The natural and intentional landscaping has matured into something quite special at the Potawot Health Village in Arcata, California.
Orleans Ranger District Trails Update
Spring 2019 Chris Valle-Riestra is an exceptional volunteer and trail steward–with a particular fondness for the Klamath Mountains. He has been spearheading trailwork in the Orleans Ranger District for many years and knows the trails well . He has updated conditions of trails on the forest for summer 2018. The Orleans Ranger District has administrative […]
Find a Park and Find Our Books
Support the non-profits that support the parks It is almost summer and that means visiting our natural wonders. We wanted to highlight a few of the organizations that carry our books so that you might consider supporting them this summer. Lassen Association Over 75 Years of Support The Lassen Association has been supporting Lassen Volcanic National Park since […]
Report Poaching
Dudleya Farinosa are being poached along the California Coast. Recently, it was announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife caught folks poaching Dudleya farinosa from coastal Mendocino and Humboldt counties. Report Dudleya poaching! The Southwest Dudleya Dilemma The genus Dudleya is in the family Crassulaceae which survives in areas that see dry and/or cold periods, often coupled with water scarcity. In […]