California's extraordinary geomorphologic diversity yields a very broad range of trail running experiences.  From high-altitude runs in the Sierra to beach runs on the coast, we have it all.  This page describes some of these trails.  Of course there are thousands more, and I will continue to add some of them as time permits.

Ralston Peak, South Lake Tahoe area
Newark Slough Trail - Don Edwards SF Bay Nat'l Wildlife Refuge

Ralston Peak

Location:  South of Lake Tahoe on the South end of Desolation Wilderness.  To run this trail you will need a Wilderness Permit, which you can get at the trailhead.

Length of the trail: 7 miles round trip, however you could go much farther into Desolation Wilderness.

Length of run: 7 miles round trip.

Run difficulty: Extremely Difficult

Description:  This run may not be a run the whole way.  Why is that?  Because it has about 3000 feet of elevation gain in 3.5 miles, and some of it is quite steep and rough.  Once you get to the topyou will have your reward.

You will pass a lot of hikers on your way up, and I can assure you they will give you some strange looks as you lope on by.  But the one look they will all have is one of jealousy for your ability to make the climb look so easy.

The run starts at the parking lot at California Camp on Rt. 50.  The majority of the trail is switchbacks up the mountain, with the occasional traverse or short downhill sections through ravines.  The first couple of miles are through deep woods and occasional boulder fields.  At about 8000 feet you will start to break out of the trees into mountain meadows (you will still be climbing though!).  The last half mile or so is above the tree line.  Once you reach the top of the ridge, you will turn right (East) to climb the final few hundred feet to the top of Ralston.  From the peak you will have a view of Lake Tahoe, the foothills to the West (including Lovers Leap), and the Sierra ridgeline for many miles going North and South.  You also have a great view of Echo Lake and some of the lakes in Desolation Wilderness like Tamarack, Aloha, and Lake of the Woods.  It really is worth the climb.  Click here to see some pictures.

The trip back down the hill is pretty steep.  I actually find that trekking poles make a big difference in saving my knees on the way down. 

Newark Slough Trail - Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Location:  The wildlife refuge is located at the east end of the Dumbarton Bridge in Newark, CA.  Take the exit closest to the bridge and follow the signs.

Length of the trail: About a loop of about 5.5 miles, starting from the visitor center parking lot..

Length of run: 5.5.

Run difficulty: Easy.

Description:  This is an easy, low-impact run.  The actual Newark Slough trail is a loop that starts out in the wetlands, so you will have to take a spur on the Tidelands Trail to get to the loop.  Just head from the parking lot towards the water, cross a bridge, and take a right where the sign says Newark Trail.

The trail follows several levies through the wetlands.  The levies are dirt, and were quite soft and powdery on both of the days that I ran the loop.  The levies border an evaporation pond, so you will typically have the reddish, high-salt, wetlands on one side of you and the slough or "natural" wetlands on the other side.  

In addition to being an easy run that is perfect for a recovery run, you are going to see plenty of wildlife.  Birds are everywhere.  I saw many different waterfowl, hawks, seagulls, squirrels, a snake (on the trail!), and lizards on my runs.  

The conditions were pretty breezy for me, and you can expect the same if you are running in the afternoon or evening of almost any Spring, Summer, or Fall day.  Keep in mind that the wetland is next to the bay, so the temperature will probably be cooler than it is inland.