Hiking the scenic trails of Tuolumne County and Yosemite

Tuolumne County’s natural wilderness calls to the adventurer.  

This summer hikers can enjoy one of Tuolumne’s slow and scenic trails minus the crowds.

Trails navigate the High Sierra, Gold County and Yosemite National Park through forests and valleys, to reservoirs, wildflowers and waterfalls.

 

Easy day hikes

Little Golden Forest Trail 

Length: 2 miles

This easyhike is perfect for those exploring with kids. Sponsored by Little Golden Children’s Books and the National Arbour Day Foundation, the trail is a leisurely loop through the Stanislaus National Forest.

 

Dragoon Gulch 

Length: 3.1 miles

Just outside of Sonora, the Dragoon Gulch trail takes walkers along shaded paths through the Mother Lode’s oak woodlands, with stunning views of downtown Sonora and the surrounding mountains.

 

Carlon Falls 

Length: 3.8 miles

This trail takes hikers into Yosemite National Park, along Tuolumne River, finishing at the beautiful Carlon Falls. As the trail starts outside of the park, walkers can avoid entrance fees.

 

Pinecrest Lake Loop Trail 

Length: 3.9 miles

The Pinecrest Lake Loop Trail follows the banks of Pinecrest Lake, taking walkers on an easy loop crossing the Stanislaus River and Strawberry Dam.

 

Moderate hikes

Sugar Pine Trail 

Length: 4.7 miles

This family and dog friendly trail runs from Twain Harte and finishes at the Lyons Reservoir. The trail is an easier one to follow as it is a wide gravel pathway shaded by the surrounding woodland.

 

Wapama Falls 

Length: 5 miles or 13.4 miles

One of Tuolumne’s most popular trails, this takes hikers to some of Yosemite National Park’s tallest waterfalls. Visitors can choose the shorter five-mile route which provides spectacular views of Tueeulala and finish at Wapama Falls. The longer 13.4-mile route goes through Hetch Hetchy valley, passing Rancheria Falls.

 

Ferretti RD Trail Network 

Length: 5.6 miles

This network of trails allows visitors to adapt their hike to their level of difficulty and even has a 1.3-mile loop specifically for mountain bike riders to enjoy. Hikers will enjoy epic views into Yosemite National Park and the Tuolumne River Canyon.

 

West side Railroad Trail 

Length: 10 miles

Following what was once a railroad used for logging, this trail takes walkers along the mountainside with picturesque views of the Tuolumne River. The trail is especially scenic during the spring and summer when the wildflowers are blooming.

 

Pacific Crest Trail 

Length: 12.1 miles (segment)

The Pacific Crest Trail runs all the way from the Mexican border in Southern California to Washington’s border with Canada and a section runs through Tuolumne County. It runs from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, through woodland and past waterfalls.

 

Red Hills Recreation Management Area 

Length: Varies

The Red Hills Recreation Management Area is perfect to explore on foot. The many trails allow hikers to explore the area’s stunning wildlife, where there is even a chance of spotting a bald eagle here during the winter.

 

For more information: visittuolumne.com