Horse Riding Areas

• Highway 108 Corridor

  The Scenic Highway 108 Sonora Pass route begins at an elevation of about 3,000 feet, and rises to an elevation of 9,628 feet above sea level.  The pass connects the communities of Sonora to the west and Bridgeport to the east.  Like Most high elevation passes across the Sierra Nevada, the highway is closed in the winter, generally between November and May, due to large quantities of snow.

  The highway over the pass is extremely steep, narrow and winding between Kennedy Meadows on the west side to Leavitt Meadows on the east.  The route is not recommended for vehicles or vehicle combinations that are unusually wide, heavy or long.  Adjacent to the summit of the pass is a picnic/parking area to nearby Sonora Peak, Wolf Creek Lake, and other spots north or south along the Pacific Crest Trail.

  

• Campgrounds - Highway 108 Corridor

  Campgrounds along highway 108

  Click here for a map and table of campgrounds along the Highway 108 Corridor.

• Summit Ranger District Campgrounds

  Welcome to the Summit Ranger District, which encompasses the upper Highway 108 corridor on the Stanislaus National Forest. Large motor homes and trailers cannot be accommodated in some campgrounds. Electric and sewer hookups are not available. Fee RV dump stations are available at Clark Fork Campground, Dardanelle Resort and near Pinecrest on Highway 108 (closed on Sunday), one-half mile west of Summit Ranger District office. For the most current information please call the Summit Ranger District at (209) 965-3434, or stop by the office on Highway 108 at the turn-off to Pinecrest Recreation Area.

• Clark Fork Horse Camp
• Eagle Meadow Horse Camp
• Kerrick Corral Horse Camp
• Pine Valley Horse Camp
• Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 108 Access
• Emigrant Wilderness - Highway 108 Access
• Summit Ranger District Trailheads

  Trailheads

• Arnot Creek TH
• Bell Meadow TH
• Clark Fork TH
• Coyote Meadows TH
• Crabtree TH
• Disaster Creek TH
• Kennedy Meadows TH
• Highway 4 Corridor

  Welcome to the Calaveras Ranger District, which encompasses the Highway 4 corridor in the northwest portion of the Stanislaus National Forest. For more information please call the Calaveras Ranger District at 209-795-1381.

  

• Arnold Rim Trail

  The Arnold Rim Trail (ART) is a unique trail system at mid-elevation in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. A non-motorized trail system designed for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, it connects the many wonders of public lands along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway stretch of Hwy 4 to its communities, creating a high level of access for its residents and visitors.

  You’ll discover breathtaking vistas with panoramic views stretching from Mt. Diablo in the East Bay Area to snowy Mt. Lyell on the high eastern slopes of the Sierras near Yosemite, then dive down into canyons with streams coursing through the shade of older growth forests of cedar, pine, fir and oak. High rocky promontories, a magnificent waterfall, many birds and wildlife of all kinds, and a lake lie along its current completed section in the part of the Stanislaus National Forest known as the Interface.

  For maps and more information on the trail, visit https://arnoldrimtrail.org/.

• Arnold Rim Trail - Cedar Center Trailhead
• Arnold Rim Trail - Logging Museum Trailhead-Arnold
• Arnold Rim Trail - San Domingo Southern Trailhead
• Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Rd & Valley View Dr
• Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Road & 4N41Y
• Arnold Rim Trail - Valley View Drive Trailhead
• Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 4 Access

  

   

   

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   The 161,000 acre Carson-Iceberg Wilderness straddles the crest of the Sierra Nevada range, divided almost evenly between the Stanislaus and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. Here you'll find spectacular high country, with several peaks rising above 10,000 feet, broad river valleys, perennial creeks with small waterfalls, granite-strewn slopes, and meadow-filled valleys. Here are the headwaters of the East Fork of the Carson River, the Clark Fork of the Stanislaus, and the Mokelumne River. 

  The Carson River, named for Kit Carson, and a distinctive granite formation called the Iceberg on the southern boundary give this area its name. You'll hike often in a thick forest of pines (Jeffrey, sugar, lodgepole, western white) and firs (red and white). Lakes, fairly common on the eastern side, are few and far between on the western side. Conversely, precipitation averaging 50 inches per year on the western slopes drops to about 15 inches per year on the eastern slopes, with about 80 percent falling as snow. Snowpacks usually linger into June, but the remainder of the summer is generally dry and mild with periodic afternoon thunderstorms and nighttime temperatures that could drop below freezing any day of the year.

  Congress designated the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness in 1984. Most of the area still includes cattle grazing allotments, and you will likely encounter cows or their signs from July to September. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs for over 26 miles within the Carson-Iceberg. About 200 total miles of foot and horse trails give access to this outstanding wilderness, where human use is moderate, especially on the eastern side.

  Please take a moment to learn our wilderness regulations and review Leave No Trace methods before visiting this outstanding national resource.

   

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  MAPS:

  Purchase maps at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station or the Forest Service online store .

  View a  map of the wilderness.

  View a  map of trail distances in the wilderness.

• Gardner Meadow Trailhead

  This trail first passes through Bear Tree Meadow.  In .8 miles from the trailhead the trail enters the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. A few yards (meters) later, a trail branches off to the right that leads to Upper Gardner Meadow and Half Moon Lake. The trail may be blocked from view by a log. At the south end of the meadow, the trail forks off into the Arnot Creek Trail and Disaster Creek Trail. Back at the wilderness boundary, the main trail continues on to Lower Gardner Meadow and the Pacific Crest Trail. Take the Pacific Crest Trail north to access Asa Lake, Noble Lake, Noble Canyon, and Highway 4.

  Elevation: 8589 feet. 
  Lat/Long: 38.4963, -119.7974

• Asa Lake/ Lower Gardner Meadow Trail
• Upper Gardner Meadow Trail
• Highland Creek Trailhead (at Highland Lakes)

  This trail follows Highland Creek canyon down to Hiram Meadow and can be used to hike all the way to the northeast end of Spicer Reservoir; it continues to Rock Lake, Duck Lake, and ends at the Silver Valley Trailhead at the east end of Lake Alpine. It also connects with trails to Elephant Rock Lake and Union Reservoir.

  Elevation: 8635 feet.
  Lat/Long: 38.4850, -119.8099

• Highland Creek Trail (Highland Creek Trailhead)
• Mosquito Lakes Trailhead

  The Mosquito Lakes Trailhead can be used to access Heiser Lake and Bull Run Lake. From Bull Run Lake, the trail continues to the Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead parking area.

  Shortly after the trailhead, the Emigrant/Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT) branches off to the right and a short distance later the Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/MCCT Trail branches off to the left. The Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley portion of the MCCT was completed in 2015; since it is a new trail, it may not be shown on some maps. As of September 2020, the map on this web page did not show the trail; however, trailhead symbols show the beginning and ending points. Please visit the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail website for more information and a map.

  Lat/Long: 38.515315, -119.914940

• Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Mosquito Lakes Trailhead)
• Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail

  Parts of this MCCT trail segment is closed due to the Henry Fire Closure Area Forest Order STF-16-2021-11:   The trail is closed at the intersection of 20E01 and the  Wilderness boundary, about 1.5 miles from intersection of 19EV13 and 20E01 up Marshall Canyon through Milk Ranch Meadow to the Tryon Meadow Trailhead. 

  The Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT) runs from the Mosquito Lakes Trailhead to Pacific Valley. The trail leaves Mosquito Lake, traveling up a moderately steep ridge trail and then drops down into Pacific Valley on a moderately steep trail; the distance one-way is a little over a mile.

  From the Pacific Valley end, it is a .7-mile walk north on a four-wheel-drive road to the Pacific Valley Trailhead parking area and a .8-mile walk south to the junction of the Bull Run Creek Trail (19E43) and Milk Ranch Trail (20E01).

  The MCCT continues on 20E01 up Marshall Canyon and through Milk Ranch Meadow to the Tryon Meadow Trailhead and beyond to end at the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Ebbetts Pass Trailhead. For more information and a map of the MCCT, please visit the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail website.

• Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (Mosq Lks Trailhead)
• Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (PacificV Trailhead)
• Pacific Valley Trailhead

  The Pacific Valley Trailhead trailhead provides access to the Bull Run Creek Trail (19E43), the Milk Ranch Meadow Trail (20E01), and the Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley Trail/MCCT (Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail).

  The Bull Run Creek Trail passes by the east side of Bull Run Peak and continues to the northeast end of Spicer Reservoir. The Milk Ranch Meadow Trail passes through Marshall Canyon and continues to the Tryon Meadow Trailhead near Highland Lakes. The Weiser Creek Trail (19E41) branches off from the Milk Ranch Meadow Trail and leads to the Highland Creek Trail (20E04) at Hiram Meadow. Zoom out and pan the map below to view these trails.

  Elevation: 7559 feet.
  Lat/Long: 38.5161, -119.9026

• Bull Run Creek Trail
• Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead

  This trailhead can be used to access either Bull Run Lake or Heiser Lake. Due to the granite surface, the trail may be hard to find in some areas. If going to Bull Run Lake, creek crossings are fairly difficult. The trail continues to the Mosquito Lakes Trailhead.

  Elevation is about 7907 feet. Lat/Long: 38.5064, -119.9419

• Bull Run Lake Trail
• Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead)
• Milk Ranch Meadow Trail
• Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam Side)(CIW)
• Highland Lakes
  

   

   

  This page is for the Highland Lakes area; visit the Highland Lakes Campground page to view campground status.

  The lakes are set in a spectacular high alpine valley, close to the top of Ebbetts Pass at an elevation of 8,600 feet. These two lakes are unique in that they are headwaters for two different watersheds: the eastern lake flows into the Mokelumne River drainage, while the western lake flows into the Stanislaus River drainage. Maximum boat speed on both lakes is 5 mph, and gas powered motors are discouraged. Highland Lakes visitors enjoy camping, hiking and horseback riding.

• Lake Alpine Recreation Area
  

   

  The Lake Alpine Recreation Area features a small, scenic reservoir within a granite basin surrounded by red fir and lodgepole pine forest; it is located just east of the community of Bear Valley on State Highway 4.

• Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail
• Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead)
• Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Lakeshore Trailhead)
• Lakeshore Trail
• Silver Valley Trailhead

  The Silver Valley Trailhead accesses the Highland Creek Trail (20E04), the Emigrant Trail (19E01), Duck Lake, and Rock Lake.

  Lat/Long: 38.480782, -119.985877
  Elevation: 7300 feet

• Duck Lake Trail
• Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
• Highland Creek Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
• Rock Lake Trail (from Silver Valley Trailhead)
• Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
• Mokelumne Wilderness

   

  

   

   

  Designated in 1964, the 105,165 acre Mokelumne Wilderness straddles the crest of the central Sierra Nevada, within the Stanislaus, Eldorado, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. This area is bordered by State Highway 4 on the south and State Highway 88 on the north. Watersheds drain to the Mokelumne River on the west slope and the Carson River on the east slope. 

  The Mokelumne Wilderness is a rugged landscape of great scenic beauty. Much of the area is dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks. The rugged Mokelumne River canyon is a prominent feature. There are many smaller streams flowing through deep granitic canyons but only a few lakes concentrated in the northern portion of this spectacular area. Elevations range from about 3900 feet near Salt Springs Reservoir to 10,380 feet at Round Top. Precipitation averages 50 inches annually on the west slope and as little as 15 inches on the east slope, 80 percent of it in the form of snow. Snowpacks typically linger into June in the Round Top region to the north and on the Mokelumne plateau to the south, while the Mokelumne River canyon above Salt Springs Reservoir can be free of snow as early as March. Summers are generally dry and mild, but afternoon thundershowers occur periodically and nighttime temperatures may dip below freezing any time.

  Please take a moment to learn our wilderness regulations and review Leave No Trace methods before visiting this outstanding national resource.

  Special regulations apply in the Carson Pass Management Area. Visit the  Mokelumne Wilderness page on the Eldorado National Forest website for more information.

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  MAPS:

  Purchase maps at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station or the Forest Service online store .

  View a map of the wilderness.

• Deer Creek Trail
• Deer Valley/ Stevenot Camp Trailhead
• Sandy Meadow Trailhead

  This trail can be used to access Wheeler Lake; it is flatter and easier than the Wheeler Ridge/Lake Trail out of Woodchuck Basin but longer. It is 4.2 miles to Wheeler Lake. In Mokelumne Wilderness. 

  Elevation is 7923 feet
  Lat/Long: 38.5150, -119.9292

• Sandy Meadow Trail
• Woodchuck Basin Trailhead

  Woodchuck Basin is the trailhead for the Wheeler Ridge/ Wheeler Lake Trail (on maps as the Woodchuck Trail, 18E24 and Underwood Valley Trail, 18E02), which leads to Wheeler Lake and Avalanche Meadow. The trail connects with the Sandy Meadow Trail (19E53), which passes through Sandy Meadow and ends at the Sandy Meadow Trailhead.

• Wheeler Ridge/ Wheeler Lake Trail
• Spicer Reservoir
  

  This page is for the Spicer Reservoir area; visit the Spicer Reservoir Campground page  to view campground status.

  Spicer Reservoir has a surface area of 2,000 acres when full. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

• Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir)
• Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side)
• Utica/Union Reservoirs
  

  This page is for the Utica/Union Reservoirs area; visit the Utica Reservoirs Campgrounds, Union East Campground, and Union West Campground Pages to view campground statuses.

  These scenic small, twin reservoirs are located off the Spicer Reservoir Road. The setting is more rustic than either Spicer Reservoir or Lake Alpine. The area is popular for fishing, camping, and boating.

• Union East Campground
  

   

  Union Reservoir is set in a granite basin with expansive mountain views. The reservoir has lots of small islands and is kept mostly full. The campground is adjacent to the reservoir, nestled in red fir and lodgepole pine forest.

• Union East Campground to Elephant Rock Lake Trail