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<\/a><\/p>\nArnold Rim Trail<\/a><\/p>\n Some of the best hiking & mountain biking in the county is closer than you might realize. Hidden between Hathaway Pines and Arnold just off of Hwy. 4 you\u2019ll find the Arnold Rim Trail (ART), a 17.5 mile trail system that has been in the works since 2007. Behind unassuming neighborhoods lie a number of intriguing destinations, including San Antonio Falls, Cougar Rock and Top of the World. And it wouldn\u2019t be unusual to have these spots all to yourself most days. Dogs are welcome on this trail, even off-leash if they have excellent recall. Part of these trails are equestrian, so you may find yourself sharing the road with a few horses!<\/p>\n Hike the\u00a0Arnold Rim Trail<\/a>\u00a0starting at the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum and walk the Logging Museum Trail. If your destination is San Antonio Falls it probably makes most sense to park at White Pines, while those interested in Cougar Rock may want to park off of Avery Sheep Ranch Road. It really depends on how far you\u2019d like to hike.<\/p>\n For the trailhead at White Pines Park & Sierra Logging Museum:\u00a0From Angels Camp travel east on Hwy. 4 toward Arnold. In Arnold, veer left onto Blagen Road just past the Chevron gas station. Follow Blagen Road for approximately one mile through the community of White Pines. Turn left on Dunbar Road and continue towards the park near the playground at White Pines Lake, which will be on your right as you turn onto Dunbar Road.<\/p>\n For the Cougar Rock and Top of the World Trailheads:\u00a0\u00a0For a more lively jaunt, head up to Cougar Rock for some spectacular views. This is an intermediate-level four mile hike with about 900 feet of elevation gain, the equivalent of a seventy-three story building. Start in Arnold and turn off Highway 4 onto Lakemont Drive, followed by a quick left turn onto Valley View Drive. The trailhead is at the intersection of Valley View Drive and Forest Route 5N95Y.<\/p>\n Big Bar Launch in Mokelumne Hill<\/p>\n Spectacular views are available on the \u00a0Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail<\/a>\u00a0where it passes through Calaveras County in it\u2019s\u00a0Camanche Pardee<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Upper Mokelumne<\/a>\u00a0segments. See beautiful Sierra Nevada vistas, aspens and wildflowers and the deep river canyon. Check the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail website to see progress, and to find which areas are currently available: \u00a0mc2ct.org<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0James Bar Trail<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Public access to the Mokelumne River is available at the\u00a0Electra Powerhouse<\/a>\u00a0on Electra Road a couple of miles outside of town. Bring the fur babies on this adventure! They will love the area!<\/p>\n Calaveras Big Trees (North and South Grove)<\/a><\/p>\n For either of these hikes, go into Calaveras Big Trees State Park, a beautiful 30-minute drive from Angels Camp.\u00a0 There is a $10 ($9 for seniors) parking fee.\u00a0 The North Grove loop is a level boardwalk trail that will show you at least 20 of the tallest trees you\u2019ve ever seen.\u00a0 Park at the Visitors Center and walk down to the Big Stump where you can start the 1.5 mile loop around the grove.<\/p>\n For the South Grove, depending on your route, you may hike 3.5 to 5 miles (5.6 to 8.1 km) on this trail. The first 1.5 miles ( 2.4 km) of trail is a moderate, steady climb from the parking lot to the start of the loop trail, with a gain of 260 feet (79 m) in elevation. The loop trail passes through a representative portion of the lower part of the grove. Just over one mile (1.6 km) in length, this section of trail first climbs 200 feet (61 m), then gently descends back to the start of the loop. Halfway around the loop, you will find a side trail leasing to the upper grove and the largest tree in the park\u2014the Agassiz Tree. At about 0.6 miles (1 km) in each direction, this trail gently climbs 100 feet (30 m). \u2022 Allow 1 1\/2 to 3 hours for the 3.5 mile (5.6 km) hike from the parking lot around the loop trail. Allow 2 1\/2 to 4 1\/2 hours for the 5 mile (8.1 km) hike to the Agassiz Tree.<\/p>\n No puppies allowed on these trails due to the sensitive and delicate ecosystems.<\/p>\n New Hogan Lake in Valley Springs<\/p>\n New Hogan Reservoir hikes are great if you are looking for milder temperatures in the spring, fall & winter. Below the dam at the Monte Vista Recreation day use area, you will find the River of Skulls trail, an easy, .9 mile loop hiking trail with only about 90\u2032 of elevation change. It\u2019s the perfect fall hike for the whole family, chock full of great Calaveras history! The area got it\u2019s current name. \u201cRio de las Calaveras\u201d or \u201cRiver of Skulls\u201d from the Spanish Moraga expedition in 1806, who are said to have come upon Native American skulls along the river\u2019s banks in their search for gold.<\/p>\n There is also a staging area for an eight mile equestrian trail to enjoy a scenic loop that winds along the foothills and lake. The west side of the lake includes bicycle trails that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced riders. Easy to moderate loop trails ranging 5 to 10 miles include Cameron, Coyote, and Hogan and are dog-friendly (just keep them on a leash).<\/p>\n New Melones<\/p>\n The New Melones Lake Glory Hole Recreation Area offers spectacular outdoor recreation on the 3rd largest reservoir in California. Turn at Whittle Ranch Road from Highway 49 and follow the road where you will start to see signs for different trailheads. Buck Brush Loop is an easy 1.3 mile loop or make it a more moderate 2.8 mile trek and take the Angels Creek Trail to see pretty lake views, rolling hills, and an abundance of birds along this quiet hike. Yes, bring the doggos to this one!<\/p>\n Sourgrass Recreation Area<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nCougar Rock | Photo: Arnold Rim Trail Association<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nMokelumne River Canyon | Barry Boulton<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe North Grove Trail \u2013 you can walk through the downed tree on the left<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nNew Hogan Lake in summer, Valley Springs<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nNew Melones Lake | Angels Creek Trail<\/p>\n