Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail

Area Status: Open

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.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Calaveras Ranger District (HWY 4)
Usage:	Light
Best Season:	Summer, early fall
Busiest Season:	Summer
Closest Towns:	Bear Valley to the west, Markleeville to the east.
Water:	No
Restroom:	Across the highway at Mosquito Lakes Campground
Operated By:	US Forest Service

General Information

Directions:

Mosquito Lakes Trailhead: From the Calaveras Ranger District head east on Highway 4 for about 40 miles. The trail begins on the southwestern tip of Mosquito Lakes. Parking is located on either the right (south) or left (north) side of the highway. Accessible to all highway-legal vehicles, right off the highway, native surface parking area. The parking areas are small and not suitable for trailers and large motorhomes. The portion of Highway 4 accessing the trailhead is narrow; trailers and vehicles over 25 feet long are not advised.

Pacific Valley Trailhead: From the Calaveras Ranger District, head east on Highway 4 for approximately 41 miles to the Pacific Valley turnoff (on the right); continue on this road for half a mile to the loop at the end (and the last of the developed campsites). From here a 4x4 road starts and continues 1.5 miles to the intersection of the Bull Run Creek Trail and Trail 20E01 (Marshall Canyon). If you have a four-wheel-drive high-clearance vehicle, you may drive the road and park at the end. This is a very rough road, not all-wheel -drive accessible. There is very little parking space. If you do not have a four-wheel-drive high-clearance vehicle, park at the loop and hike the 4x4 road. The portion of Highway 4 accessing the trailhead is narrow; trailers and vehicles over 25 feet long are not advised.

For maps and more information on the trailheads, please click on the links above to visit the respective trailhead pages.