Читать книгу 101 Hikes in Northern California. Exploring Mountains, Valleys, and Seashore онлайн

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December

Daylight dwindles to a minimum as California slips into the depths of winter and hiking days get shorter. Weather is variable; long stretches of rain, cold snaps, and sunshine can all occur. Remain strictly coastal or enjoy views in the Bay Area.

The Different Governing Agencies

This book visits a wide variety of parks and forests managed by a number of different governing agencies. Regulations often vary by location but generally are the same within each group. The four most commonly visited areas in this book are national parks, state parks, national forests, and wilderness areas managed by national forests. A miscellany of other governing agencies are represented as well, including the Bureau of Land Management and various city and county parks.

National Parks

Run by the federal government (Department of the Interior), national parks are designated to preserve and protect unique natural features and wilderness. Generally very user friendly, they tend to draw substantial crowds and often have amenities like small stores, hot showers, and well-maintained campgrounds. Free park maps are handed out, and driving is easy. Regulations are generally strict—car camping is permitted only in designated sites, wilderness permits are always required for overnight trips into the backcountry, trail quotas are common, and dogs are never permitted on the trail. Entrance fees are charged for all national parks.