Take a Hike From the Peninsula Campground to First Cove Loop
Peninsula Campground Trail; photo by @johnnys_lottchen
Located In: Pilot Hill (Folsom Lake State Recreation Area).
Distance: 5.5 miles.
Difficulty Level: Moderate; lightly trafficked.
Know Before You Go: $12 parking fee; bring cash. There are many connecting trails to extend the hike and branches leading to water’s edge.
Fuel Up: Stop by Sierra Rizing (sierrarizing.com) in Lotus for a deliciously fresh apple fritter, fresh-baked scone, or made-to-order scrambles, alongside small-batch, artisan-roasted coffee.
Sierra Rizing; photo by Forrest Ward
Why We Love It: Quiet and offers tons of wildlife with options to extend the trail. It’s also accessible in winter.
Trail Notes: Bring sunscreen, water, and plenty of layers; practice Leave No Trace ethics; if you pack it in, pack it out.
For more information, visit
alltrails.com/trail/us/california/peninsula-campground-to-first-cove-loop.
Do you have a favorite trail in the region you’d like to see featured? Tell us all about it at [email protected].
6 Best Outdoor Books & Documentaries
Looking for some motivation to #OptOutside? Check out these inspiring books and documentaries.
Touching the Void
Touching the Void
Epic tale of survival. Not for the faint of heart.
One of the greatest physical accomplishments in any sport by any human, caught on camera. Your palms will sweat.
A tragic tale of a young man’s search for life outside of society.
Two climbers battle up the hardest route of Yosemite’s El Capitan. A true story of will and companionship.
A firsthand account of one of the greatest disasters on Mt. Everest.
A story of terror, pleasure, and healing of a woman hiking over 1,000 miles of the PCT—alone.
Epic tale of survival. Not for the faint of heart.
Free Solo
Free Solo
One of the greatest physical accomplishments in any sport by any human, caught on camera. Your palms will sweat.
"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
A tragic tale of a young man’s search for life outside of society.
The Dawn Wall
The Dawn Wall
Two climbers battle up the hardest route of Yosemite’s El Capitan. A true story of will and companionship.
"Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
A firsthand account of one of the greatest disasters on Mt. Everest.
"Wild" by Cheryl Strayed
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
A story of terror, pleasure, and healing of a woman hiking over 1,000 miles of the PCT—alone.
by RYAN MARTINEZ
Header photo by Ashley Banaga, @explorer_04_
Book and film covers courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.
Follow @stylemags to see our November IGTV episode of “Take a Hike.”