 "Photo:")
There is no excuse to die of boredom in the heat of the Northern California sun. Or, for that matter, to develop alcoholism and bad tan lines because of it.
Those who say Chico can only be enjoyable in the summertime with countless cans of Coors Light and lazy, urine-soaked floats down the river are either lying or stupid.
Of course, an tradition of the drunken float can produce some amusing adventures, but missing out on the terrain in and around Chico is sinful and Chico State students should take notice.
Geoff Smith, an outdoor education professor at Chico State who teaches backpacking and rock climbing classes, loves the prime location of his town.
“Within a two-hour drive you can hit up so much beautiful wilderness,” he said.
Within such a short drive lie the Trinity Alps near the majestic Mount Shasta and Lassen National Volcanic Park.
The Trinity Alps provide endless backpacking opportunities and a distinctly alpine atmosphere that reflects the lower Cascades more than the Sierra Nevada — a mountain range that attracts Chicoans and Californians in the summer.
In fact, many outdoor enthusiasts like Smith and myself would rather be at the Trinity Alps than tourist-overrun Yosemite. That range has become crowded with people who are more intent on filling family photo albums than respecting and properly traversing the beautiful, wild outdoors.
“Trinity Alps is one of my all-time favorite areas,” Smith said. “There’s never anybody there.”
Lassen offers excellent camping — despite an onslaught of mosquitoes — and some of the best day hikes Northern California has to offer.
There is also Mount Lassen itself, a decent multi-thousand foot incline that is relatively easy with gentle switchbacks and is often hiked by children in large groups.
Lesser known is Mount Brokeoff. Its summit is just over 9,500 feet and it’s a challenging hike that will consume a sun-soaked summer day.
College students will drive upwards of 10 hours or more to get to a destination like Las Vegas or Cancun just to engage in the same drinking adventures they do in Chico. The fact that so many Californians don’t properly enjoy the wilderness that this state protects so well is just sad.
Even if you don’t feel like venturing out of town, Chico itself offers several ways to enjoy outdoor sports.
Upper Bidwell Park near Highway 32 is just what the doctor ordered on a cloudless, banner day in June, July or August.
Bidwell is home to several 6-10 mile hikes such as the Yahi, North Rim, Annie Bidwell and Guardian trails and is the gateway from the North Valley to the Northern Sierra.
“I think that Bidwell Park is definitely the highlight of the town,” Smith said.
Bidwell Park is the 24th largest city park and the 14th largest municipally owned park in the United States, according to a study by The Trust for Public Land.
Bear Hole and Salmon Hole are both exceptional places to go for a swim or fish and, deep into the park, Devil’s Kitchen rock formation provides a rare local experience for the rock-climbing enthusiast.
Of course, those who, like Smith, appreciate Chico’s backyard wilderness should take the necessary steps to keep Bidwell Park beautiful.
“It needs to be taken care of,” Smith said, noting that if disrespectful masses head out to the park, the natural beauty of the place will “take a beating.”
Just remember to make sure that, no matter where you are this summer, you’re leaving the place just as you found it.
Whatever your taste for the summertime fun might be, be aware of the endless options to explore in the region with arguably the best wilderness Mother Earth has to offer: Northern California.
Thomas Lawrence can be reached at
tlawrence@theorion.com
Be the first to comment on this article!