Bubba Suess - Hiking northern California: a guide to the regions greatest hiking adventures

Writing this book was an enormous undertaking, and it would not have been possible without the contributions from several people. First and most important is my wife, Harmony. Without her encouragement, patience, hard work, and love, the book would not have even been a possibility. She made this endeavor a reality, and she forever has my love and gratitude.

Not enough thanks can be given to my parents, Ron and Jane Suess. Their logistical support in taking care of my children while I was on the trail, as well as while I was sequestered working on the manuscript, was instrumental in bringing this project to completion. Their sacrificial contribution cannot be overstated. I owe them far more than I can ever repay, for this and a great many other things. It is my hope that I have been a good son, worthy of what they have given.

My mother-in-law, Gretchen McPherson, also lovingly spent time with my children. Her time invested with them is greatly appreciated.

Several people joined me on the trail during the journey through the wilds of Northern California. My wife, Harmony, and our three children, Carson, Laramie, and Jed, were most welcome companions on several hikes, including our family favorites Heart Lake and South Gate Meadow. In pursuit of this book, Carson, at the age of 6, also joined my wife and me for his first trip on the Panorama Trail.

My father, Ron, a lifelong Yosemite devotee, got his first taste of Sequoia National Park while joining me on the hike through Tokopah Valley.

My brother, Matt, spent a great weekend with me in the Eastern Sierra, where we tackled the epic hike to Thousand Island and Garnet Lakes. For a chaser we headed up to the Gaylor Lakes the next morning. That weekend was the highlight of the summer.

Two of his children, Nathan and Rachel, joined me for hikes in Big Sur. Old Uncle Bubba can learn a thing or two about speed from them!

Magnificent Lake Aloha is one of the most spectacular destinations in the Northern Sierra.

My brother-in-law, Peter McPherson, spent three days with me in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. I dont get to spend enough time with him, and it was an excellent weekend.

My cousin, Mark Gattey, hit the trail with me on the James Irvine Trail and the rainy hike to the Devils Punchbowl. His enthusiasm and energy are infectious. His sons, Sebastian, Matthias, and Andreas, were also welcome company.

Last, but not least, my nephew, Barry Lawlor, put up with me on the hot hike around the summit of Mount Diablo. He was great company and very patient with his old uncle.

I was also graciously welcomed into a few homes while on the road. My brother and his wife, Dana, my aunt, Karry Brillsour, my wifes aunt and uncle, Dave and Nancy Tomlinson, and longtime friends John and Betty Phillips were all gracious enough to let me stay with them. It was a great respite to a weary traveler.

I would also like to express my immense gratitude to Katie Benoit Cardoso of Falcon Guides for entrusting this project to me.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Ron Adkison and his family. Anything I have accomplished with this book is only building on Rons excellence and vision.

For my brother, Matthew Suess. He has always been my hero and has been my role model for a life of honor, integrity, and wisdom. His spirit of adventure and love of the outdoors inspired my own.

FALCON GUIDES

An imprint of Globe Pequot

Falcon and FalconGuides are registered trademarks and Make Adventure Your Story is a trademark of Rowman & Littlefield.

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Copyright 2017 by Rowman & Littlefield

TOPO! Maps copyright 2017 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

Photos by Bubba Suess

Copyright 2017 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

ISBN 978-1-4930-0271-9 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-4930-3145-0 (e-book)

Printed in the United States of America

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

The author and Rowman & Littlefield assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

A hiker contemplates the majesty of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.

A native of Sonoma County in Californias wine country, Christopher Bubba Suess grew up hiking the trails on his home turf as well as those in the famed Sierra Nevada. His first backpacking trip at age 5 sparked a love affair with granite and rushing water. Deeply influenced by his parents to appreciate the outdoors and by his older brother to always strive and persevere, Bubba was further moved to value the conservation of wilderness during his time in the Boy Scouts. A four-year sojourn in Texas for graduate school forced Bubba to find beauty in more subtle places and areas that are generally overlooked. Now a resident of Mount Shasta in far northern California, he loves living a rural life, centered on time spent with his wife, Harmony, and three children.