Pinecrest, California

Pinecrest, California, is a great destination for outdoor adventures. From scenic hikes to must-visit trails, the area offers plenty of options for those looking to explore the great outdoors. For the best trails, visitors should check out the Pinecrest Trail, which is a 4.5-mile loop through the forest and meadows. The trail offers stunning views and is a great spot for bird watching. Another popular outdoor activity in the area is fishing. The nearby Pinecrest Lake is a great spot for anglers of all levels, with plenty of trout and bass to be caught. Pinecrest also offers plenty of opportunities for camping, with several campgrounds located in the area. For those looking for a more scenic experience, the nearby Sequoia National Park is a must-visit. Here, visitors can explore the giant sequoias, take in stunning views, and hike through the park's many trails. No matter what type of outdoor activity you're looking for, Pinecrest, California, has something for everyone.

Top Spots in and near Pinecrest

Pinecrest, California
Hike to Cleo's Bath

4.5

6.5 mi / 1263 ft gain

This 6+ mile hike is located at Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest located in Tuolumne County and features a lake, river, forest, waterfall, and swimming hole. It is accessible year-round, in winter there will be snow, and the hike is dog friendly except between May 15th-September ...
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Pinecrest, California
Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness)

4.2

8.34 mi / 705 ft gain

Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. To reach the trailhead, make your way south from the Ranger Station and turn left onto Crabtree Rd. Drive along this ro...
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Tuolumne County, California
Backpack Chewing Gum Lake

3.3

4.5 mi / 1000 ft gain

Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...
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Tuolumne County, California
Climb Cracks at the Gianelli Edges

We first found the Gianelli Edges mentioned in the Climbers Guide to the Sonora Pass Highway. A short 2.5-3 hour drive from our place in Oakland, it's a great spot for a quick single day or overnight climbing excursion. Just head out 120 toward Yosemite and pull off on the 108 toward Burst Rock/G...
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Pinecrest, California
Backpack to Chain Lakes

4.4 mi / 864 ft gain

This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. You will p...
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Arnold, California
Backpacking to Sword Lake

5.0

Getting There Take 108 to Pinecrest Lake to pick up a free backcountry permit at the Summit Ranger Station. (If you reach Strawberry you've gone too far.) Continue past Beardsley Lake to Clark's Fork Road on the left. Cross two bridges and Forest Route 6N06 will take you to the trailhead (County ...
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Tuolumne County, California
Hike the South Grove Trail in Big Trees SP

3.7

5 mi / 560 ft gain

The South Grove Trail of Calaveras Big Trees State Park sees far less traffic than the North Grove due to its increased mileage and distance from the park entrance. The trail starts at the South Grove Trail head which is located nine miles east of the entrance on the main park road. The trailhead...
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Pinecrest, California
Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock

21.6 mi / 3600 ft gain

The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an ea...
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Pinecrest, California
Climb Granite Dome via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes

25 mi / 5000 ft gain

Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite D...
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Pinecrest, California
Camp at Baker Campground

5.0

/ 6224 ft gain

Baker Campground is a first come, first serve campground. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear boxes. The cost for a single family site is $20 per night and a double family site is $40 per night. The campground provides bathrooms and potable water. The campground is typi...
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Arnold, California
Hike the North Grove Trail in Calaveras Big Trees SP

5.0

1.7 mi / 40 ft gain

When thinking of the iconic Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada, one usually thinks of Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. However, there is a often forgotten area of Giant Sierra Redwoods that gets far less traffic than the more popular groves. The North Grove Trail takes you through a grove of over 1...
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Arnold, California
Snow Camp at Bull Run Lake

15 mi / 2400 ft gain

This is a long, beautiful snowshoe to a lake that is very accessible in the summer but almost untouched in the winter! There are a couple of ways to access the lake during the winter, but this is the most interesting: Starting at the easternmost sno-park along Highway 4 going east of Bear Valley,...
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Groveland, California
Wapama Falls

4.71 mi / 623 ft gain

Hetch Hetchy has a completely different character than other areas of Yosemite National Park, and the hike to Wapama Falls is an excellent way to explore this relatively remote section of the park. You can only imagine what this valley looked liked before it was dammed and is second to none compa...
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Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls

4.8

12.55 mi / 2388 ft gain

Situated in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is is a not often visited treasure of the Central Sierra Nevada. In 1913, in an extremely controversial move, work on the O’Shaughnessy Dam was started to provide water to the growing population of San Francisco. Today, Het...
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Arnold, California
Hiking Disaster Creek

While this is not a terribly scenic hike, the trees, creek, and terrain are very beautiful, and the entire area is quiet and peaceful. You're likely not to pass a single other person on the hike, which is great for letting dogs off-leash.The trail starts off with a series of switchbacks, which ga...
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Arnold, California
Backpack To Wheeler Lake

5.0

7.8 mi / 1000 ft gain

The trail to Wheeler Lake begins at the Woodchuck Basin Trailhead. This trailhead is located a little over a mile east of Lake Alpine on Highway 4. The trail starts off relatively flat and winds through forests and meadows, taking you into the Mokelumne Wilderness. Time it right and you'll be met...
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