Hike Sonoma Mountains High Point via North Sonoma Trail North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park, CA

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Apr 22, 2026 — I chose to hike to the Sonoma Mountains high point via the North Sonoma Mountain Trail simply because it looked much prettier than starting from within Jack London State Park. It ended up being a really pleasant, if somewhat lengthy, hike along a well-maintained trail that wraps around the mountain’s northern slopes. Not exactly a memorable peak, but the views were nice, and the mind-numbingly gradual ascent was pleasant enough.

The first mile or so follows a really wide trail, but it narrows a bit farther in, and there’s plenty of poison oak to keep an eye out for. The route regularly dips into forest before emerging into sweeping grassy meadows overlooking numerous vineyards. Everything was incredibly green and lush, and many of the trees were draped in moss.

Eventually, the trail entered Jack London State Park and wrapped around to the east side of the Sonoma Mountains high point on an old road converted into a trail. It ends at a bench marking the high point of Jack London State Park. Here, I found a low barbed-wire fence. Beyond it, I could see some sort of radio facility separating me from the summit.

There didn’t appear to be anyone around. After spending $42 on camping because there’s no dispersed camping within two hours in any direction, plus another $8 to enter the park, there was no way I wasn’t going to sneak up to the actual high point. Though, to be honest, I’m not even sure it counts as trespassing since there were no warning signs, the land appeared to be public on my topo map, and there was even a bench inside the fenced area. Regardless, I followed what looked like a social trail through the tall grass until it connected with a maintenance road, then continued to the summit. After all the rain, this was the second pair of shoes I’d completely soaked that day.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Sonoma Mountains High Point

2467 ft

2005 rise

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Starting along the trail from North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park.

Short forested section.

Entering grassy slopes, a vineyard seen on the left.

Mellow grade for basically the entire hike as it meanders along the northern slope of the Sonoma Mountains high point.

A junction with the Pleasant Valley Overlook Trail.

View back into the valley below.

The trail was well-manicured for the first half.

Nice forested hiking amongst moss-covered trees.

Very tame switchbacks.

The trail became narrow within Jack London State Park for a short time, but also had more meadows that forest walking.

Shortcut seen on the right was discouraged via a sign, so I took the old roadbed ahead instead.

Nearing the Jack London State Park high point.

Jack London State Park high point, view back.

Sonoma Mountains High Point seen ahead, past the towers. I hopped this barbed-wire fence.

Sonoma Mountains High Point, view back north toward the radio towers.

Sonoma Mountains High Point, view south.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!