Outdoors
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Outdoors
Watch this Impressive Homemade Zipline at Shasta Lake
There are a lot of things to do during a beautiful day on Shasta Lake. You can go wakeboarding, slide…
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Bay Area
A Picturesque Stroll Through the Cypress Tree Tunnel
There are so many beautiful places in Northern California that are prime destinations for photographers – Mount Shasta, Burney Falls,…
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Outdoors
Sliding Down the Massive Tenaya Creek Natural Waterslide
Tenaya Canyon is a dangerous and dramatic canyon in Yosemite National Park that runs approximately 10 miles from the Tenaya…
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Outdoors
Meet Northern California’s Own Rush Sturges – the World-Famous Kayaker
Rush Sturges grew up in Forks of Salmon, California, near the Marble Mountain Wilderness in Siskiyou County. Growing up, his parents owned and…
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Destinations
Finding Burstarse Falls – Castle Crag’s Fickle Waterfall
By Ryan Loughrey Burstarse Falls has been on my radar for a long time, but I have never had the…
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Outdoors
Uplifting Photos Show Forest Regrowth in Whiskeytown
On July 23rd, a flat tire on a trailer sparked a fire in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 39 days…
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Butte
Fisherman Lands 48-Pound King Salmon on the Sacramento River
Back in April, we wrote about a lucky fisherman who caught a 57-pound striped bass on the Sacramento River near…
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Destinations
Hiking the Lush Meadows of Mount Shasta’s South Gate
One of the best hikes available on Mt. Shasta, the South Gate Meadow Trail combines nearly all the elements that…
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Destinations
The Waterfall of Fire – Horsetail Fall is a Rare Natural Phenomenon
Horsetail Fall is typically not that unique in Yosemite, where waterfalls are vast and beautiful. It is a somewhat low-flow waterfall…
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Outdoors
Alex Honnold Gives Ted Talk on His Free Solo Climb of El Capitan
“ON THE DAY, IT DIDN’T FEEL SCARY AT ALL. IT FELT AS COMFORTABLE AND NATURAL AS A WALK IN THE…
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Outdoors
Cliff Jumpers Put on a Show at an OVERFLOWING McCloud Falls
We have been following daredevil Nick Coulter and his cliff-jumping crew for years now. We documented the time he jumped…
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North Coast
Coming Home – Chronicles of a Trinity River Steelhead
By Chip O’Brien She was late getting back to the Trinity this year, at least later than a lot of…
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Outdoors
Studying the Iconic Tunnel Tree – Estimated to be Over 1,000-Years-Old
After the famous Pioneer Cabin Tunnel Tree toppled to the ground, California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League and Humboldt…
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News
Tahoe Man Become’s the First to Ski Down World’s Fourth Largest Mountain
A Northern California man has become the first to ski down the treacherous slopes of Nepal’s Mount Lhotse, a 27,940-foot descent. Jim…
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News
Thousands of Wild Horses in Modoc Could Be Sent to the Slaughterhouse
In the northeast corner of Northern California sits the Modoc National Forest, which is home to thousands of wild horses…
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Outdoors
Watch Insane Kayaker Fly Down Yosemite’s Tenaya Creek Waterslide
Johnny Chase went full send on a massive Tenaya Creek waterslide recently, reaching insane speeds on his kayak in Yosemite…
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News
Governor Brown Declares October “California Redwoods Month”
California Governor Jerry Brown has issued a proclamation declaring October 2018 “California Redwoods Month.” The announcement honors California’s state trees,…
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Destinations
Trinity Alps Wilderness Highlighted in Outside Magazine’s “Favorite Fall Backpacking Trips”
The Trinity Alps Wilderness, located just northwest of Redding, is a gorgeous mountain range providing backpackers with stunning views, pristine…
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News
Missing Man Hiked Shoeless to Mt. Shasta Ski Park After Camping Group Took Hallucinogens
A 28-year-old man was missing for two days after he abandoned his campsite shoeless on Saturday when he got into…
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Outdoors
Baum Lake – A Terrific Fall and Winter Fishery
Describing a time of year when this small impoundment east of Burney doesn’t fish well can be a real challenge.…
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Destinations
Visit North America’s Tallest Waterfall in Northern California
Everyone knows that Northern California is home to hundreds of beautiful waterfalls, some of them world-renown. But did you know…
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Hikes
Governor Brown Signs Great Redwood Trail Bill, Fast-Tracking the 300-Mile Trail
Another important step was taken on Saturday to bringing the highly-anticipated Great Redwood Trail to Northern California. The popular, bipartisan…
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Outdoors
Professional Stuntman Performs Death-Defying Stunt on Shasta Lake
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT TRY THIS STUNT Erik Mukhametshin is a professional stuntman and a finalist from the Ninja Warrior Russia.…
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News
CHP Rescues Trapped Climbers on Mount Shasta
Elddar Shaim, 32, and Yeldos Mukametz, 27 of Honolulu, Hawaii decided to climb Mount Shasta on their trip to the…
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News
California Tahoe Conservancy Receives $1.7 million to Restore Largest Wetland in the Sierra Nevada
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has awarded $1,700,066 to the California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) to help fund the…
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News
NorCal Man’s Death-Defying Climb up El Capitan Captured in “Free Solo” Documentary
Alex Honnold is a household name in rock climbing. Some have even referred to him as the “Michael Jordan of…
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Waterfalls
The Phantom Falls Experience: 164-Feet of Pure Waterfall Bliss
By Ryan Loughrey From the directions I had read online, I anticipated pulling off the side of the road in…
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Events
Visit the Redwoods for Free for Save The Redwoods League’s 100th Birthday
To celebrate 100 years of saving California’s iconic redwood forests, Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks and 24 park agencies are…
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Outdoors
Airstream Livin’ – A Brand New “Glamping” Experience is Coming to Yosemite
Camping is great but if you prefer the comfort of glamping, you can stay in an iconic silver bullet Airstream at…
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Photography
“Otherworldly” Object Photographed Above Mount Shasta
The stories of paranormal or “otherworldly” activity on Mount Shasta has been well documented. From Lemurians to Aliens to Bigfoot,…
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Outdoors
The Deadly Sport of Rock Climbing in Yosemite is Still Very Popular
There are inherit dangers in any rock climbing scenario. Sturdy equipment, knowledge of your surroundings and climbing experience all play…
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Destinations
NorCal’s Redwood Coast Named the Top Place to Visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet
Northern California locals know the Redwood National Forest as one of the great beauties on this planet. The tallest trees…
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Destinations
Visit National Parks for Free on September 22 for National Public Lands Day
On September 22 you can celebrate National Public Lands Day by visiting any of the National Parks in Northern California…
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Destinations
Lake Tahoe Opening its First-Ever Underwater Trail
The area surrounding Lake Tahoe is world-renown for its beautiful scenery and amazing trail systems in the mountain above the…
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Outdoors
Massive Sturgeon Caught on Shasta Lake
The stories of giant sturgeon in Shasta Lake have been circulating for decades. The giant fish are known to hang…
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Hikes
The Full-Moon Hike to the Top of Lassen Peak
By Frances Griffey In Northern California, we’re surrounded by nature. Trees, mountains and wildlife flourish under the NorCal sun. But…
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Destinations
A Harrowing Journey into the Haunted Caribou Wilderness
By Chip O’Brien “AAAAAAUUUUAAAACK… AAAAAAUUUUAAAACK…” My eyes opened the size of softballs and the sleeping bag I’d been dozing in…
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Destinations
See What It Takes To Hike Humboldt’s Lost Coast Trail
A mention of the Lost Coast should never be omitted from any comprehensive discussion of California’s best outdoor attractions. The misplaced…
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News
California Prepares $2.7 Billion for New Lakes, Including Sites Reservoir
In November of 2014, California voters approved $2.7 billion to increase water storage in the state. Now California is preparing…
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Outdoors
Watch: Kayaker Launches Off Hatchet Creek Falls
Hatchet Creek or Lion Slide Falls in Montgomery Creek leads a bit of a double life. People flock to the Falls…
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North Coast
How Your Selfies Are Killing Northern California’s Seal Puppies
During seal pupping season on the coast of Northern California, baby seals will be basking in the sunshine on the beach…
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Destinations
Explore the Circle of Discovery: The 7 National Parks Surrounding Far Northern California
Did you know that Northern California and Southern Oregon are home to seven National Park sites? This circle of parks…
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North Coast
Watch: Riding Down White-Water Rapids on Top of Six Rafts
Living the whitewater rafting life is fun. You get to take enthusiastic people on an exciting ride down the river…
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Destinations
Areas of Whiskeytown NRA to Remain Open Indefinitely
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area was closed for 5 weeks following the devastating Carr Fire that burned 39,000 acres within the 43,000-acre…
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Hikes
The Historic Hike To Faery Falls
Combining history and nature, the Ney Springs Canyon Trail near Siskiyou Lake in Mount Shasta City is an easy hike…
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News
Fast-Moving Tahoe Fire Forces Campground Evacuations
A small fire broke out in the Tahoe National Forest on Labor Day, and with windy conditions, quickly grew to…
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Hikes
Hiking the 2,650-Mile Pacific Crest Trail in 5 Minutes
Seeing pieces of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) around NorCal throughout my childhood generated a serious curiosity about this grueling…
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Destinations
The Ultimate Northern California Brewery-Camping Road Trip
By Zach O’Brien This journey began a few months ago, when I was lounging in my back yard, sipping on…
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Outdoors
The 25 Best Instagram Accounts to Follow for the Ultimate Northern California Experience
We live in such a beautiful area and sometimes the best way to appreciate Northern California is through the photos.…
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Destinations
This Northern California Destination Made World’s 100 Greatest Places in 2018 from Time Magazine
Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove is famous for being one of the largest collection of mature trees in the world. The grove’s sequoias…
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News
Whiskeytown Lake to Reopen for Labor Day Weekend
The Carr Fire began on July 23 in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and devastated the park. The flames burned 39,000…
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News
Cliff Jumpers Perform Flips Off Burney Falls
Warning: Do not try this stunt. Not only is it illegal, it can be deadly. It’s considered the most dangerous…
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Destinations
A Kayaking Adventure to Mossbrae Falls
Mossbrae Falls is probably NorCal’s most unique waterfall. Instead of your typical water falling off a cliff (although very beautiful…
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Outdoors
#TBT – Remembering the Time Burney Falls was at Flood Stage Pumping 250 Million Gallons of Water per Day
It’s a Throwback Thursday! Although the past five years have seen an overall drought, in the winter of 2017, we…
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Stories
Q&A with Michelle Titus – the Owner of Northern California’s Premiere Fishing Lodge
In a short time, Michelle Titus went from a Bay Area city-dweller to a North Valley, horse wrangling “anglet”. When she…
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Outdoors
Take an Epic Trip Down the White Waters of the Trinity River
Once, in the dawn of pre-history, a ravenous saber toothed tiger stalked a little family of cavemen, mom, dad and…
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Destinations
Shasta Lake is Surrounded by Two Large Wildfires, Lake Businesses Remain Open
The Carr Fire has officially moved all the way from Whiskeytown Lake to waterfront of Shasta Lake, blazing through another…
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Waterfalls
The Short Hike To Hedge Creek Falls
Similar to hideout entrances seen in Batman movies and the Legend of Zorro, Hedge Creek Falls cascades in front of the…
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Destinations
Road Trippin’ – Southern Oregon’s Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Springs
Sure, we are Active NorCal, covering all the cool outdoor stuff in Northern California. But for us to ignore the…
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News
NorCal Student Falls Off Popular S. Oregon Waterfall, Presumed Dead
Emergency crews in Souther Oregon were continuing there search for 23-year-old Brian Lewinstein, who slipped and fell off the popular Toketee…
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Outdoors
Behind the Stunt: 100-Foot Ropeswing on Lake Tahoe
It’s been called the biggest ropeswing into water ever seen. Launching yourself off a tree platform only to fly over…
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Destinations
3 Bidwell Park Swimming Holes to Beat the Heat
What Chico lacks in terms of manageable summer temperatures, it makes up for with all the swimming hole options at…
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Stories
Almost Climbing Mount Shasta: A Story of Misery and Life Lessons at 14,000 Feet
by Chip O’Brien At four thirty in the morning no one saw the light from my tiny headlamp inching uphill…
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Destinations
9 Family-Friendly Camping Spots in Northern California
The insistent bzzzzzzzz of a mosquito roused me from sleep, but my eyes refused to open in hopes it would…
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Waterfalls
A Tour of 10 Stunning Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has countless waterfalls. A tour of the massive park can yield many small waterfalls, but we wanted…
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Destinations
See What it’s Like to Summit Mount Shasta via Avalanche Gulch
Climbing Mount Shasta is the ultimate badge of honor in NorCal. It’s a grueling hike up steep terrain with changing…
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News
The Perseid Meteor Shower is this Weekend! Will Wildfire Smoke Ruin the Occasion?
On the night of Sunday, August 12th, the Swift-Tuttle comet will put on an extraordinary show. When the Earth plows into…
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Outdoors
Fly Fishing on the Haunted Upper Sacramento River
By Chip O’Brien Thankfully, no invisible or bony hand ever reached out to touch my shoulder on dark evenings while…
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Outdoors
Watch: Slacklining 2,500 Feet Above Yosemite Falls
Yosemite National Park is known to be a place that attracts outdoor thrill seekers. In fact, renown rock-climber Alex Honnold completed…
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History
Explorers Study Ancient Underwater Forests with a Submarine at Fallen Leaf Lake
Mapping out the history of our the outdoors can be a difficult task, one that requires time, money, and maybe…
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Destinations
A Summer Getaway to Lake Aloha in the Desolation Wilderness
By Ryan Loughrey The entrance to the Desolation Wilderness is anything but – neither desolate nor wild. The southern Lake…
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News
Volunteers Clean more than 500 Pounds of Trash from Lake Tahoe
From it’s beautiful beaches to family-friendly resorts, Lake Tahoe is a centerpiece of outdoor recreation in Northern California. But with…
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Destinations
Road Trippin’ – The Painted Hills of the Oregon Heartlands
By Ryan Loughrey The first leg of our trip took us 323 miles, having left late last Thursday night, spending…
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Sports
Whitewater Rafting + Fishing: Catching Fish Deep in California’s Gold Country
“To find the goods, you have to be willing to go to places where no one else is willing to…
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Hikes
Weekend in Lassen – Exploring Cold Boiling Lake and Kings Creek Falls
By Ryan Loughrey Lassen Park offer a bounty of opportunities of exploration. Although I feel I’ve explored a good amount,…
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Outdoors
Win Great Fishing Gear with the 2018 California Trout Photo Contest
The 2018 California Trout Photo Contest is now accepting submissions July 15 through August 31st! Share your best photos of California’s…
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Video
Guy Dives into Truckee River to Catch HUGE Brown Trout
Matt Herron is a fly fishing guide in Tahoe and had quite the run in with a giant brown trout.…
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News
Yosemite Valley Remains Closed, Hundreds of Campers Evacuated Due to Smoke
As the Ferguson Fire continues to burnt through the Yosemite area, a dense cloud of smoke has filled the Yosemite…
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Video
Watch: Kayaker Reaches 36 MPH on 100-Foot Yosemite Waterslide
The Tenaya Creek waterslide is a little known feature in Yosemite National Park. The 100-foot waterslide is located at upper Tenaya…
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Outdoors
I Spent a Day Snorkeling Down Clear Creek in Redding. Am I Weird?
By Chip O’Brien When you combine a pithy streak of spontaneity with a penchant for living life on the edge,…
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Wildlife
Passengers Freak Out as Rattlesnake Attempts to Climb on Boat in Folsom Lake
We all know where to avoid rattlesnakes – in hot fields with dead grass, under rocks in hot climates –…
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Hikes
A Beautiful Escape to Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain
By Ryan Loughrey We woke up to find that the water in our bottles had frozen. We knew it was…
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Outdoors
Adventures With Backcountry Craig – Splitboarding on Mount Shasta
Backcountry Craig, Active NorCal’s Adventure Consultant, takes on a ride of a lifetime as he splitboards up Mount Shasta to…
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Destinations
5 Tips for Hiking Lassen’s Brokeoff Mountain
By Ryan Loughrey Brokeoff Mountain in Lassen National Park is notorious for being one of the most difficult hikes in…
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Outdoors
Exploring the Car Graveyard of Mt. Shasta
By Ryan Loughrey Walking through the car graveyard felt like walking through an ancient time. Even though the cars couldn’t…
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Video
Watch the “Unflippable Raft” Plunge over McCloud Falls
The Creature Craft was created by Darren Vanci, who was determined to create an “unflippable raft.” The structural integrity of the raft…
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Outdoors
A Tale of Summer Backpacking: A Little Sketchy, A Lot Worth It
By Benjamin Goodpasture, Founder and CEO of Shasta Rock Club I’ll never forget the day I first saw Emerald and…
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Hikes
Hiking Up the Iconic Black Butte is Well Worth the Views
For frequenters of northbound I-5 in NorCal, imposing Black Butte is nearly as iconic as its next-door-neighbor Mt. Shasta. Characterized…
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Waterfalls
The 20 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Northern California
In 1995, the recording group TLC released their massive hit Waterfalls, in which the chorus reads “don’t go chasing waterfalls,…
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Sports
Flow State – An Inside Look into the Lives of Northern California’s Professional Cliffjumpers
By Zach O’Brien As Jay Briggs stands on a log perched 70 feet above the water in the middle of…
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Shasta Cascade
A Rite of Passage: Floating Down the Sacramento River
By Frances Griffey There are a few activities all NorCal locals have to do: walk across the Sundial Bridge, visit Turtle Bay, go…
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Destinations
The Desolate Hike to Lassen’s Mill Creek Falls
By Ryan Loughrey Now that the road through Lassen National Park is open, Kiva and I decided to hike a…
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Destinations
The Flumes and Cable Pools of Paradise
The town of Paradise, California, which is just outside of Chico, is not necessarily known as NorCal’s “paradise,” but it does…
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Destinations
An Overnight Trip to Tangle Blue Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness
By Ryan Loughrey We had it in our mind that the hike to Tangle Blue Lake was going to be…
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News
Missing Hiker Found by Family in Northern California
On June 15th, experienced hiker David Ura and his dog Kingsley traveled from their home in Medford, Oregon and were dropped off…
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Hikes
Hiking Castle Crags – Castle Dome Trail
Castle Crags seems to hide in plain sight. Though clearly visible from I-5, the magnificent geological oddity receives less mention than other North…
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Outdoors
Moonlight Kayaking on Whiskeytown Lake
By Frances Griffey There’s something about the dark that prompts deep conversations and intense contemplation. For children, the dark is…
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Outdoors
Walking on Water – Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga on Whiskeytown Lake
By Angela Cordell I’ve always been drawn to yoga. Everything about its physical, mental and spiritual benefits attracts me. I’ve…
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Outdoors
My Northern California Summer Bucket List
By Ryan Loughrey The sun has inspired me to start thinking more about summer. One of the activities I am…
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Outdoors
The Lazy Float down the Truckee River
There are many summer activities in the Tahoe area for adventurers, but if your looking for a relaxing adventure, look…
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