Hood Mountain Regional Park parking lot

My favorite place to hike. Love the summit trail from Pythian Rd parking area. Great workout. Flowers, trees, creek, even a waterfall. Surprise- never seen one there before. Sun and shade with ups and downs along the way. Two ponds and I had some water over trail in two areas. Not deep, but a bit of mud on sides.

I have emphysema and lung cancer or severe copd, I walk to live. Any uphill or stairs are a physical challenge. This is mostly uphill stuff (until you return lol) so it really works me out. With fantastic views, wildlife and glorious nature as a reward for my troubles. I LOVE IT.

Fairly tough hike to the summit - around 2.5-3 hour round trip hike with very steep beginning and end. 45 degree incline for the last segment but worth it for the views. Dog friendly and not to busy - lots of other trails to explore too so never seems to get that busy.

The new Lawson Trail is pretty cool. Just needs to settle cut is recent. But a good ride after a mother of a climb on the Lower Johnson Trail roamed around and explored. The trail had some hazards of loos dirt and rocky sections moon dust mostly being so arid and dry. Good ride though views are stunning!.

If, you stay near Parking lot... Trails are much easier. If you go Up to the Gate... You'll be in for nearly a Stroke‼️🤣 Signs state that you Have to use trails & Not Roadways. It's a beautiful place but, a fire 🔥 destroyed lots of vegetation. The POND... Ohhhhh that pond‼️ Though reading a sign that states, "Pond . 0.5 mls is the Understatement of all times on Signs.... When you get there.... Just breathe taking‼️ Like a miniature, Lake Tahoe without the, Emerald Bay Castle & classic Tahoe colored water. You'll be happy to know that there Is a Wheelchair Portapotty at the Pond.

Fairly steep grade so could be a challenge or a great workout depending on your fitness level and what you’re looking for. Most trails appear to still be closed due to the fires that burned most of the park. Parking lot is very small and limited so arrive early.

This is the perfect place for a hike. Great place to exercise with family and friends. All you need is a water bottle, a healthy snack and a good leg stretch. Highly recommend this spot.

I entered this Park on the Pythian Road entrance. And used that parking lot. I only spent 2 hours walking and had way more to explore. It looks like I will be coming back more to see the rest of Hood Mountain.

This hike is not for the faint of heart, lol. We went up to the summit and back down towards Pythian road. Great loop, today was a little over 7 miles. This park was badly burned when we went years ago and with the most recent closure, it is finally open (2024) but it is still a bit like a tree graveyard. Unfortunately. Challenging hike, beautiful views, I love that it can connect to Gunsight rock, which is an awesome spot to picnic and have a break. On a clear day you can see all of the bay! You can park off Pythian as mentioned or get to it by Sugar Loaf. Parking off Pythian is part of the regional parks but if you access by Sugarloaf you'll need to park via their pass or a state pass for parking.

I finally made this hike up Hood Mountain to Gunsight Rock. The climbing gets quite steep towards the end, but the spectacular views make it worth it. The scenery was beautiful the entire hike. After the rains we've had recently, it was nice to see a few waterfalls along the way. Make sure to bring water & snacks as it's almost 9 miles of hiking with over 2000 feet of climbing.

Your challenge: Hike to the top of the highest peak in the Mayacamas mountain range. This range is what separates the Napa Valley from the Sonoma Valley. Your destination: Hood Mountain Regional Park. You'll begin at the small parking lot ($7) at the end of Pythian Road and head up, up, up, and UP. Lower Johnson Ridge Trail to Panorama Ranch Trail to Hood Mountain Trail to the apex, Gunsight Rock Overlook, an elevation gain of some 1900 feet. Your reward: Bragging rights, fabulous photos, and newfound awareness of long forgotten muscles. With 2,000 acres and 19 miles of trails, Hood Mountain Regional Park boasts the most extensive trail system within the Sonoma County parks network. Entering from the base (as opposed to the Sugarloaf side) though, be ready to exert some effort. From here, all trails begin with a lot of uphill effort. In advance I'd made the decision to aim not for Gunsight Rock but rather, to do a loop, so I stopped about .7 miles short and headed down the Upper Johnson Ridge Trail to the Orchard Meadow Trail then back to the Lower Johnson Ridge Trail. I missed the peak but was blown away by my prowess regardless. As I hiked down this whole section I couldn't believe the heights I'd attained. My toes actually hurt from so much downward trajectory. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails I've mentioned and, if you know where you're headed this is possibly the best marked trail system I've ever encountered. Bring a map or take a photo of one at the base as you'll want to know what you're aiming for, but once you do you can't miss it. Knowing that I stopped short of the summit means that I'm apt to make a second visit to this park. When I do, it'll likely be a long while from now as I need a bit of time to pass so memory can erase just how high one climbs here. Head out early, bring water, and after, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy some Sonoma Valley wineries (a bounty in this area) as your reward. Other stuff: * I'm a slow hiker. This route took me about 2.75 hours. * There's lots of evidence of the Sonoma County fires here. Bring a zip lock bag and grab some charcoal (burnt tree remnants) for your at-home drawing pursuits.

Yesterday was my second visit here. It is a really awesome hike to the top of mount hood and the overlook at gunsight rock is breathtaking. According to our app / tracker, we hiked about 7 miles round trip and I believe our elevation gain was around 1900ft. The parking lot at which we began was 800ft elevation, and our end point at the summit was roughly 2700ft. It is a decent challenge, but well worth it for the views at the summit of gunsight are very awesome! It took us about 2hrs and 47minutes, with about a half hour break at the summit/ gunsight overlook.

Went up to gunsight rock/mountain. A pretty good butt kicker of a hike IMO. Definitely gain some respectable elevation, quick! Worth the views though. We went at 7am saw 5 people maybe? This hike would be epic at sunset. Just make sure you bring a flashlight for the way down.

BY FAR THE BEST VIEWS I'VE SEEN IN ANY REGIONAL PARK BY FAR !!! ****DOG FRIENDLY**** at Hood Mt. Not Sugarloaf! Hood Mountain Regional Park has a lot to offer. However, this is a very strenuous hike and is not for the weak. The incline is a butt kicker and the elevation gain is brutal. My map my run app said we gained 1,942 ft elevation gain. You will continue to go UP....UP....UP AND UP...... As you gain in elevation, you will make your way, zig zagging through the trails and every step comes with incline. This hike is pretty much shaded for the most part. Covered and protected by trees, you don't feel like the blistering heat is cooking you to death. As you hike along, you are accompanied by the sounds of the streams and creeks. When you reach Gunsight Rock (and please do it! Its well worth it!) you are greeted with the most Spectacular views Sonoma County has to offer. We are able to see all the way to SF and the ocean. It was sureal and remarkable! Coming down wasnt too bad since gravity is in your favor. It can be a little rough on the knees. Twards the end, the little voice in your head says, "Are we there yet?" Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! But not anytime soon

Back 2nd time to Hood Mtn Regional Park so I can go back to Hood Summit & continue onto Gunsight Rock since we didn't do it the last time we were here. Parking is now $7, used to be $6. There's a small parking lot & 1 Pit toilet! If you don't pay it you might get a ticket in the afternoon. Saw a ranger writing up tickets - so pay the $7 CASH ONLY, no Credit card machine! Started at the Pythian Road Trailhead, up to Valley View Trail. By Menganser Pond (it's a big pond, no swimming, wading, etc) there's 1 pit toilet, it was fairly clean when we went in the morning. Continuing onwards you'll see Blue Heron Pond - not a good view of it, overgrown trees. Hiked past Hendrickson Homestead Site, an abandoned building, then on the Upper Johnson Ridge Trail, at the Hood Mtn Summit Elev 2730' there's a plaque, no views there overgrown trees. Continue 0.2 mi further for Gunsight Rock Overlook - it's a huge opening with lots of giant rocks you can have lunch there, views of Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Valley of the Moon, Bald Mtn at Sugarloaf. Worth all the suffering to get here. on the way back we took the Panorama Ranch Trail & Lower Johnson Ridge Trail back down. I think since I've been twice now, I'm good. I don't need to go back. It was a Strenuous Hike & way far from Fremont! I do recommend it for others that haven't been & live closer to this park then me.

Hood Mountain is a 2,730-foot (832m) peak in Sonoma County. Although the summit view is not great because Manzanita in trees cover its wide, rounded top. Fortunately, Hood Mountain has Gunsight Rock. From the rock, everythin in Sonoma County comes into view. I enjoyed shady forest and also drier and rockier terrain. Now Parking is $8...

Great day for a hike! About 3 miles to the summit. Super sad to see so many charred trees! Trails are super well kept and easy to follow.

Cool mountain, hike is a medium level. Probably not for casual day hikers if you are trying to summit. The trail markers are nice and trails are fairly well maintained. Would definitely check it out again

My number one most favorite hike in Sonoma County. There are so many things about this hike that make it special. First, is the drive to the park entrance. When you reach the peak height, you're overlooking all of Sonoma County. Second, the hike has a lot of variety. It starts in the forest and then leads down to the creek. After crossing the creek there is a significant incline. Once you reach higher elevation, you then have sweeping views of valleys and mountains. Overall, the hike is very invigorating and challenging. Third, the trails are never super busy, and I have had days where I ran into no one. I love this because then it feels like you truly are in nature rather than a park. Fourth, there are many different trail options. You could just to walk along the creek and do a loop, or you could walk all the way up to the top of the mountain. I love this because it allows for variety. Tip: be prepared to possibly get your feet wet. There are portions of the hike that may require you to walk through the creek.

OMG!!!! My husband and I backpacked / camped here. We had a little "elopement" here over the 4th of July! The park was beautiful and the campsite was great. They even had a porto potty for your convenience. You have to pack in your own water but it's worth it. We planned to just have a "just us" vow exchange with wine, feast, and the whole nine yards. We packed in WAY too heavy backpacks but it was worth it for the copious wine and delicious food! Plus water- you must pack in your own water. And you must know- it's an INSANELY steep hike up that hill, much easier without probably 40-50 lbs backpacks on your backs but we managed and were so glad we made the pilgrimage to the site with our heavy loads. We even packed in a bouquet and boutonnière. :) We stayed at the Dragonfly campground near the pond and had only one neighbor (who was conveniently never there when we were) and had a great time. 4th of July we found a dead-end trail and shared our vows, wine, and pie, then enjoyed the lovely warm evening! We did not go up to the summit because we didn't have time or energy. :) Only one thing went wrong- we got up there on night #1 and realized we forgot a lighter for our little stove!!! AAAA!!!! But we hiked back down and then back up again. It's a hard hike but short enough to hike down again if you forget something or need some more wine ;) Loved this place, we had the greatest time. :)

What a beautiful place to hike! We went on Valentine's Day so everything was still lush and green. There's a cute little creek that runs all around the mountain. The sound and ambiance it creates is lovely! Parking is $7. Don't forget to grab the free map. It's double-sided, so make sure to look on the back side. Follow the route out to Gunsight Rock. There's a lookout here where you can sit at the very top of the mountain, enjoy an awesome view and eat lunch. Total hike round-trip is about 10 miles. I know some of the other reviews say you need hiking shoes, but a comfy pair of sneakers, some snacks, and water is all you really need.

I can't believe Hood Mtn hasn't been added before. My guess is that it's an addendum to Sugarloaf, but it's a park in it's own right & as such deserves a separate review. We went to the North Pythian Rd entrance & didn't have a $5 bill for the parking fee - urgh, so drove back down & parked near Los Guilicos & the equestrian parking area on Eliza Rd for free. The Lower Johnson Ridge trail starts here & runs .8 miles to the parking area with porto bathroom, drinking fountain & excellent signage. The ranger was there when we arrived & very kindly offered us a trail map when he observed us studying the trail map on the signage. From there we continued up the Lower Johnson Ridge Trail, then headed up the Panorama Ranch Trail at the suggestion of a woman who works at REI and comes here often. That had some exquisite views & was lightly traveled, so our dog was able to run off-leash (rules say that dogs are on-leash always, but hey, at least they're allowed, unlike at Annadel). I pushed for an ascent of Hood Mtn summit & then a side trip to Gunsight Overlook, which was very impressive for views of SF, Oakland, and SF Bay. Backtracked down Hood Mtn Trail to Upper Johnson Ridge Trail, then to Pond Trail (Blue Heron Pond was iced over - a fun surprise since it wasn't that cold) and hooked back up to Lower Johnson Ridge Tr. back to the parking lot & then another .8 mile to our car. We only stopped 1x for snacks & were gone 4.5 hrs total. Moderately strenuous hike, not for beginners or those out of shape. We're all tired, including the dog, but really enjoyed the day.

Interesting start to a this hike as you wander around some beaten up homes. You then transition to a pretty steep road leading to the main trail. Continuing on the maintained trail you will meander through a huge burn area from the 2017 fires, kind of cool to see at this stage. Great views from atop Hood Mountain, but an ever better spot if you continue to gunsight rock.

Fantastic park for hiking in Sonoma County. We came on a hot August afternoon and did a quick hike on the pond trail. The actual pond was a bit of a let down but the journey there was beautiful. What to bring: ..$7 cash for parking, no change given but cards are accepted too ..Water - these are uphill trails, semi-shade, hydrate, people! ..Hat and sunscreen - lots of sun on some trails ..Dog of you own one ..Items for several picnic areas Fun fact: beware of wild animals, we had a wild boar cross our path!

Peace. Quiet. Clean air. Green forest. The hiking trails open up to gorgeous views. Trek up to gunsight rock and see SF that's 50 miles away. Wear real hiking boots & bring adequate water as it's a vigorous climb.

One of the best hikes I have been on! not a beginners course but if you are up for a challenge, just do it! Best part is they are doggie friendly, i love taking my 4-legged child with me but i keep finding more and more parks that don't accept her. So happy that Hood Mountain still does! If you don't want to pay the $7 just park in the parking lot a mile down the road near the Juvenile Detention center.

It is definitely a huge step up from spring lake. So come prepared. Not a beginners course for sure. Parking is okay, bring cash. Best if you leave in the morning to hike as it takes awhile to get to the summit. Best of all it's in my back yard, I recommend good mountain to anyone looking for a challenge.

*This review is from a cyclist impression ONLY* I mountain biked in from Pythian Rd and Highway 12 after a few miles in Annadel State Park with the intention to climb up and over to connect with Los Alamos road. Here's the deal. The climb is relentless, steep and continuous. Up Lower Johnson, cris-crossing the main road until it becomes Mount Hood Summit Trail and up and up and up. I knew it was going to be steep from viewing the elevation profile online, but the knowing did not prepare me for the ouch. You will climb greater than 2,500 feet in about 3.5 miles. (30% singletrack, 70% fire road) Percentage grades range from 11% to 25% and greater in some spots. (The Strava elevation profile values one very short section of the climb at a 39% grade) There is .3 of a mile that is consistently greater than 20% average grade. This climb is not for the weak of legs, lungs or spirit. Grab a map at the trailhead or print it online. (Follow it*) Bring TOO MUCH water. Bring food. Survival mode: it gets hot up there. I'm glad I did it, and racking up almost 6k of elevation for one ride feels pretty good, but I don't know that I'd do it again. Not enough fun for the work. On your mountain bike? Go to Annadel instead. *If you are going UP AND OVER to Las Alamos. The map DOES NOT notate the area of the trail that brings you from the Mount Hood Summit Trail to connect to Los Alamos. I took two wrong turns and got lost following the map only. Watch for well marked trail signs everywhere, and in this case ONLY ONE SIGN which marks the connection to "Los Alamos Trailhead". Good luck! Ben Here is a link to my ride http://app.strava.com/activities/365410465

I went camping here for an entire week, it was great (except the price $35 a night). I went hiking all over Hood Mountain and the campsites are very private people walked near and never knew campsites were there. It is a 3 mile hike uphill from the parking lot to the campsites. This is not for first time campers but great for those who like primitive camping. I saw a mountain lion, bobcats and rattle snakes while up there (it is their home) and had no problems. Only 2 somewhat downsides I had while there; First was the yellow jackets they came by as I was cooking ( The ranger came and got rid of them) and Second were the deer that decided to mate near my camp site while I was trying to take a nap (Its a very unique sound and kind of disturbing)

The quote "what you put in is what you get" definitely summarizes this hike up pretty well. The trail up to gunsight rock is very hard, but definitely worth it. You will pass through forests, creeks (there are tree bridges for you to cross over), valleys and many more. After a long and seemingly endless hike, the sight of Gunsight Rock at the end seems like heaven. An hour can pass by like nothing when you are just sitting up there enjoying the breeze and soaking in majestic view below. This is one of the top hikes in Sonoma county in my opinion. There are a few benches along the trail for you to sit and rest as well. (also nice picture spots) I would recommend bringing a lot of food and water for this hike. The food to enjoy at the top and the water for the hike itself. At some parts, it will get really steep but that only means there is a nice downhill part after. This hike is a lot of fun and the view at the top is definitely worth it. Oh yeah, beware of rattle snakes!!!

If your looking for a good work out, this is it. Took 1 hr 15 mins steady climb to the top.

If you want to challenge yourself, this is where you want to hike. At first, you are greeted with a .3 mile walk up a steep road (Lower Johnson Ridge Trail). After this, you keep going up and up and up! I would say you are hiking uphill probably 70% of the time. Most of the trails you encounter are dirt trails with soft soil. There are sections that are shaded and other sections that are not. I would recommend starting this hike in the morning while it is still cool and a fog bank as it can get hot fast in the afternoon. What makes this hike worth the effect are the amazing views at Gunsight Rock Overlook. It is gorgeous and awe inspiring. When I got to the top, there were not many people and I was able to enjoy several peaceful and reflective minutes of solitude. It took me two hours to reach the summit and another two hours to get back down (I took different trails down to explore the park). Bring plenty of water. I drank an entire 32 oz when starting my descent and I would recommend bring double that. I just wish there were benches along the trails to sit down or just a place to stop and put down your equipment. Overall, this is a great and challenging hike. I will be back once my legs recover!