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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
