Probable Trial Trails

I've never gone backpacking.  Never.  Ever.  (Well, maybe once back as a Boy Scout to get the Order of the Arrow thing.  But I don't really remember.  I was 12.  Or 15.  Or 13.  I don't really know.)

I have no idea if I'll enjoy the activity at all.  I may love it beyond my wildest dreams; it could suck major donkey balls.

So, I need to do a few smaller trips before I spend far too much money for equipment and such.

First, I'm planning a 2-or-3 night trip near home.  Probably up near Big Meadows in the Sequoia National Forest.  I've wanted to go there for a while, could be fun. But could have bears.  Not sure I wanna deal with bears right off the bat.

Next, another trail I've wanted to hike, the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail near Santa Cruz.  It's a 29-ish mile one way trail.  I hear it's absolutely beautiful.  I lived in the South Bay there for years and heard about the trail; saw the signs and all. But never really thought it would be something I could do.  (Well, now it might become a training trail for a 2660-ish mile hike.)  It'd be 2-3 days, too.  (Maybe this will be my first; no bears.)

Another trainer hike would be the Lassen trip I mentioned earlier. Planning now, looks like 65-ish miles from Belden, CA to Drakesbad Guest Ranch.  Should take about a 5-6 days. (I plan on going slow.) And ends in Lassen National Park near some thermal features that could be amazing fun and cool.

Finally, a week-or-two trip could the final training/shake-down hike.  Not really sure where or how long.  According to Reddit, the only way to train for a thru hike is to go on a thru hike.

First over-nighter would be May, I expect.  Next one in June.  Another in July. And the final, longer trip September.  (Already planning to be in Oregon in August for the amazing total solar eclipse.)