Next year in the spring I plan on doing a 3 day traverse to hike the 27(ish) mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail from Livermore to Fremont as my first official multi day backpacking trip. I was aiming to do it sometime in March/April to get as much of a scenic green view as I can, but thought I would ask here to see if anyone who’s hiked this trail can recommend the best times? Thank you!

Pics of me hiking for fun

Every winter the San Francisco Bay chapter of the Sierra Club teaches 100+ outdoor enthusiasts how to snowcamp. 

Training includes a full-day orientation January 9, 2027 in Emeryville, followed by a one-night trip, then a two-night trip, both starting from trailheads near Tahoe. Participants need to apply at www.snowcamping.org; there's a fee ($145-$170) that’s returned if you’re not accepted. (The application is to make sure that candidates have appropriate backpacking experience and are currently active-enough to snowshoe a few miles, then dig a shelter.)

I signed-up for this in 2020, and have been snowcamping every winter since then. From learning about cold weather gear and navigation to actually sleeping in snow trenches and snow caves - I really think this is valuable training.  

Note: I am not an official spokesperson for the Sierra Club or the Snowcamping group; just someone who feels very lucky to have learned about this. 

What are some of your favorite winter training hikes? I’m an avid day hiker and would love to get some snowshoe experience and build my endurance this season.

I’ve mostly only hiked in the summer and recently realised my pace in snow is much slower so trying to get more comfortable snowshoeing. Thanks!!