Rounded Rectangle: Special Discounts on Lodging, Tours and Dining
 through 
The Outdoor Forum
   

The Outdoor Forum

 

 

Inyo

Stanislaus National Forest

   

 

Home

Add a Hike
Contact Us

 

Links:

Slackpacker - site is designed to provide quick access to informative, trail-specific hiking websites  

 

Other Parks, Forests and Monuments

Arizona Parks, Forests

& Monuments

Montana Parks & Forests
New Hampshire State Parks

New York State Parks

Utah Parks & Forests
Virginia Parks & Forests



 

Stanislaus National Forest is on the northwest boundary of Yosemite National Park and includes 900,000 acres.  There is hiking, biking, swimming, camping, boating, picnicking, hunting, and fishing in Stanislaus National Forest. 

Stanislaus National Forest
19777 Greenley Rd.
Sonora, CA 95370

(209) 532-3671

Hiking Trails in the Stanislaus National Forest

There are 480 miles of hiking trails in Stanislaus National Forest.  Below is a list of hiking trails available in the Stanislaus National Forest as provided by the USFS. They are divided into four different ranger districts:  Summit, Groveland, Calaveras and Mi-Wok.  If you would like more information on these trails visit the Stanislaus National Forest site at the National Forest Service.

For a PDF version click here                                        Get Adobe Reader

ALL DISTANCES GIVEN ARE ROUND TRIP

How to Get There

From Sonora, the forest can be reached via state highway 120. From Merced, state highway 140 will lead you to the southern end of the Stanislaus National Forest.

Summit Ranger District

Easy
Trail Description Directions

Distance

Beardsley Nature Trail

  Adjacent to Beardsley Day Use Area at Beardsley Lake. .25 mile

Columns of the Giants

 

 

An easy ¼ mile walk to unusual geologic formation with spectacular views of basalt columns.  No interpretive signs or brochures available currently. Next to Pigeon Flat Campground 24 miles east of Pinecrest on Highway 108. .25 mile

Donnell Vista

 

 

A ¼ mile paved trail with signs along the way, leads to an overlook with sweeping views of the Middle Fork Stanislaus River Canyon, and Donnell Reservoir. On Highway 108 about 18 miles east of Pinecrest. .25 mile

Pinecrest Lake Loop

 

A fairly easy hike starting from the marina. A National Recreation trail around Pinecrest Lake, 1 mile off Highway 108. 4 miles

Trail of the Survivors

 

An easy ¼ mile trail with signs along the way, showing how trees struggle for life. Off Dodge Ridge Road, by Pinecrest Community Center. .25 mile

Trail of the Ancient Dwarfs

 

 

A pleasant ½ mile walk through dwarf trees, centuries old. Brochures are available in the trail register box. Trail markers may be hard to find,, (repair scheduled) but it is fun to read the brochure. Take Eagle Meadow Road, about 15 miles east of Pinecrest on Highway 108, and follow the signs to the trailhead 0.5 mile

Trail of the Gargoyles

 

 

A scenic 1 ½ mile walk has sweeping views of unique geologic features and formations which shape the Sierras. Prepare for HOT in the summer. Brochures are in the trail register box. On Herring Creek Rd., 6 miles from Highway 108. 1.5 miles

Shadow of the Me-Wuk

 

An easy ¼ mile walk through an outdoor exhibit showing how Me-Wuk Indians lived. Located across the street from the Summit Ranger Station. Brochures are available in the trail register box. 0.25 mile
Moderate

 Burst Rock

 

 

Spectacular views. An additional 1 mile hike will take you to Powell Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. Visitor's Permit required for overnight camping. Emigrant Wilderness 1 mile

Camp Lake

 

 Moderate difficulty. An easy hike of one more mile will take you to Bear Lake. Visitor's Permit required for overnight camping. Trail to this small granite bound lake in the Emigrant Wilderness begins at Crabtree Trailhead. 3 miles

 Catfish Lake

 

 Shallow lakes surrounded by old-growth mixed conifer forest. Side trip from Pinecrest Lake Loop on north side of lake. 1 mile
Eagle Creek

 

 

Passes through beautiful sub-alpine meadows, then descends steeply through dense forest along Eagle Creek. Best to start at Eagle Meadow and hike down to Highway 108 near Dardanelle Resort. Requires two vehicle shuttle. 4 miles

Relief Reservoir 

 

Popular destination for fishing. Moderate difficulty. Trail from Kennedy Meadows is heavily used by stock. Trailhead at Kennedy Meadows Resort. 3 miles
Difficult

Boulder Lake

 

 

Popular hike in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. First 2.4 miles of easy hiking along Clark Fork Stanislaus River. Last 1.4 miles climbs steeply at times and trail becomes vague the last .4 mile. Visitor's Permit required for overnight camping. Begin at Clark Fork Trailhead at Iceberg Meadow. 4 miles

Clark Fork Meadow

 

 

 

Good views of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness from St. Mary's Pass. Requires Cross-country travel down the Clark Fork canyon. EXPERIENCED HIKERS ONLY. Visitor's Permit required for overnight camping. Begins at St. Mary's Pass Trailhead and ends at Iceberg Meadow at the end of Clark Fork Rd. Requires a two vehicle shuttle. 8 miles

 

 

Groveland Ranger District

 

Contact the Groveland Ranger District for additional hiking information

               

 

Easy
Trail Description Directions

Distance

Little Golden Forest Trail

 

 

The Little Golden Forest is co-sponsored by Little Golden Children's Books and the National Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the Stanislaus National Forest. The Little Golden Forest was established as a result of the 1987 Stanislaus complex Fire to help restore an area along Highway 120 to a pre-fire condition. This 150 acre forest has been planted in part by children and volunteers from the local area. Funds for this forest and trail have been made possible by donations from children to Little Golden Children's books Self guiding brochure available. The trail begins outside the Groveland District office. 2 miles
Moderate

Andresen Mine Trail

 

 

Elevation from 2100 to 1900 feet. Take Cherry Lake Road to one mile past the Kirkwood Powerhouse. Bear left onto 1S23Y and park off the road. Trail begins across the bridge. Use Jawbone and Cherry Lake South topographic quad 4.5 miles

Preston Flat Trail

 

 

Elevation from 2100 to 2500 feet. The trail follows the north side of the Tuolumne River. Take Cherry Lake Road to Early Intake. After the bridge, turn right to trailhead. Use Cherry Lake South topographic quad. 4.5 miles

Tuolumne River Canyon Trail 

 

 

Elevation from 1250 to 1400 feet. The trail follows the south side of the Tuolumne River to the confluence of the Clavey River. There is a washout half way, exercise caution at this section of the trail. Take Lumsden Road off of Ferretti Road, approximately 4.5 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead is a half mile downstream from the Lumsden boat launch. Use Jawbone topographic quad. 6 miles
Difficult

Hamby Trail

 

Elevation from 1250 to 3100 feet.  Trail has approximately 40 switchbacks. Use Jawbone topographic quad Eight miles from Groveland turn left off Highway 120 onto Ferretti Road. Travel 2.5 miles, then turn right (immediately after Kings Road) and travel through the gate to the trailhead (.7 miles from the gate). Trail access travels through private property, visitors are asked to close the gate. The trail joins the Tuolumne River Trail downstream of the Clavey River confluence. 2 miles

Indian Creek Trail

 

 

Elevation from 1200 to 2840 feet. Take Ferretti Road from Highway 120 at Groveland, turn left at Clements Road (past Pine Mountain Lake Stables). Where road narrows, turn right through gate and follow signs to the trailhead parking lot. Access through private property. Trail starts at trailhead parking area and ends at Tuolumne River. Use Groveland topographic quad 3 miles

North Mountain Trail

 

 

Elevation from 3200 to 5753 feet. The trail follows the ridge line to an abandoned fire tower. Take Cherry Lake Road approximately 5 miles from the District Office. Approximately two miles past the Kirkwood Powerhouse, bear right and up off Cherry Lake Road. Continue bearing right and up for one mile to gated road. Park off the road, do not block the gate. Trail begins to the right, just in front of the closed gate. Use Cherry Lake South topographic quad 3 miles

 

Calaveras Ranger District

The Calaveras Ranger District maintains 279 miles of hiking trails (143 in Wilderness, 136 non-Wilderness), offering anything from short, easy day hikes to strenuous, multi-day backpacking opportunities. Most of these trails are at high elevation (above 6,000 feet) and are accessible only during the summer and early fall months. Some of the most popular routes are described below.

Easy
Trail Description Directions Distance

Bear Valley - Lake Alpine

 

Along the lakeshore, the trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. West of the lake, the trail reverts to native surface as it meanders through the forest, hooking up with a portion of the historic Emigrant-West pioneer route. The trail is open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. This trail runs between the east end of Lake Alpine and the community of Bear Valley. 4 miles

Duck Lake

 

 The walk is scenic and pleasant, with some moderate ups and downs. Early in the season, the trail and meadow near the lake becomes wet and muddy, with lots of mosquitoes -- so bring your repellent! Taking the loop trail around Duck Lake will add about 2 miles to your hike. Duck Lake is a small lake just within the boundary of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. 1.2 miles one way

Lakeshore

 

Easy walking.  Hikers can continue walking along this road; however, it is a popular 4WD route, and there may be vehicles. Follows south shore of Lake Alpine. Begins at Pine Marten Campground and ends at Forest Road 7N17. 1.6 miles
Moderate

Emigrant-West  

  .

Portion of historic pioneer route. Trailhead is on Hwy 4 at parking area 1/2 mile past Bear Valley. Trailhead not well marked at this time 1.5 miles

Heiser Lake

 

Uphill trail of moderate difficulty. Connects with Bull Run Lake Trail for loop route. Begins at Mosquito Lake on Hwy 4. 2.5 miles

Inspiration Point 

 

Uphill climb of moderate difficulty with rewarding views of Spicer Reservoir and Dardanelles. Access from Lakeshore Trail. 1.4 miles

Osborne Ridge 

 

Offers panoramic view of Lake Alpine area from Osborne Point. Ends at Emigrant-West Trail. Trailhead is located .2 miles east of Silvertip Campground, on Highway 4. 1.8 miles
Difficult

Bull Run Lake

 

 

First mile and a half is fairly level in a beautiful meadow, then starts the ascent into a more difficult slope. Connects with Heiser Lake Trail at the 2 mile marker. Wilderness permit required for overnight camping Trailhead off Forest Road 8N13 off Hwy 4 at Stanislaus Meadow.

3.5 miles

Mi-Wok Ranger District

Many trails on the Mi-Wok Ranger District are open and accessible to those who enjoy hiking. Contact the Mi-Wok Ranger District for additional hiking information

Easy
Trail Description Directions Distance
Sugar Pine Railroad Grade This gentle three mile  "Strawberry" branch parallels the South Fork of the Stanislaus River and overlays the historic Sugar Pine Railroad System. Access the trail from either Old Strawberry Road or the bridge at Fraser Flat Campground. Arrange to be picked up at one end and your trip is either all a gentle uphill or a gentle downhill. Or, start at Fraser Flat, hike uphill to Strawberry and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Then, enjoy the downhill cruise home

3 miles

(one way)

Westside Railroad Grade  

 

Enjoy an easy walk along the historic Westside railroad grade, overlooking the Tuolumne River Canyon. Springtime walk offers wildflowers galore. Trailhead at Miramonte subdivision on Cottonwood Road, one mile east of downtown Tuolumne City. 3 miles
 

 

 

The Outdoor Forum

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.
Revised: 11/26/07

 

 

Site created by P.A.G.E. Website Development Corp.