New NorCal Hikes Spotlighted
Two lesser-known Northern California trails are gaining attention for family outings. The Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve near Lake Berryessa offers a short but scenic hike with big views, while the Grouse Hemlock Lake Trail in El Dorado National Forest provides a more remote, quieter forest experience for a moderate challenge.
The Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve is managed by the University of California, Davis, as a site for teaching and research, honoring the work of plant geneticist G. Ledyard Stebbins. The reserve serves as a living laboratory, particularly for studying ecological recovery following significant wildfires in 2015 and 2020. Its 1,120 acres are home to a wide array of wildlife, including 108 bird species, 43 mammal species, and over 290 plant species. Historically, the land was home to the Southern Patwin people, who used the canyon for hunting and gathering. Later, a goat and cattle ranch was established, and the stone foundation of a cold storage building for goat cheese gives the canyon its current name. The most popular trail, the Blue Ridge Loop, is a challenging 5-mile hike with a steep, 1,500-foot elevation gain that rewards hikers with expansive views of Lake Berryessa and the Sacramento Valley. The Grouse Hemlock Lake Trail offers a different kind of experience within the Desolation Wilderness of El Dorado National Forest. This strenuous 3.1-mile one-way trail climbs 1,740 feet, making for a demanding but less crowded journey. Starting from the trailhead at Wrights Lake, hikers enter a protected wilderness area requiring a permit for access. The trail passes Grouse Lake and Hemlock Lake before ultimately reaching Smith Lake, traversing varied terrain from lush, mosquito-heavy areas to open granite slabs marked by cairns. Due to its intensity, it offers a quieter alternative to the more popular Twin and Island Lakes trail that shares the same initial path.
