Located In:
Arnold.

Distance:
8.2 miles out-and-back.

Difficulty Level:
Moderate.

Photo by @trailblazn_ and @katietyyy.

Know Before You Go:
From eastbound Highway 4, turn left on Avery Sheep Ranch Road and look for the trailhead around 1.5 miles on your right. The well-maintained route is popular for mountain biking, so stay alert. Leashed dogs are also welcome. Remember to leave no trace; wear shoes with traction; and bring plenty of water, lots of layers, and trekking poles for the steep sections.

Photo by John Michnowicz, courtesy of Go Calaveras.

Why We Love It:
With ample streams, dense forest, ridgetop views, and varied vegetation, this trail makes for a beautiful day out in nature. Oh, and did we mention all the award-winning wineries nearby? Bottoms up!

Photo by Dina Duquette @_mountain.dew_.

Fuel Up:
With an authentic ambiance and even more authentic food, generous portions, and all-day breakfast, El Vaquero is the perfect place to feed your Mexican cuisine craving. Locals love the homemade flan, bigger-than-your-face burritos, “Bob’s Special,” and sangria. Closed on Sundays.

Photo by Tomomi S.

Stanislaus National Forest:
Did You Know?

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Records show the Stanislaus National Forest was inhabited as early as 9,000 BC (most recently by the Me-Wuk peoples) before becoming home to the largest mass migration in U.S. history: the Gold Rush.

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Occupied by immigrants, miners, ranchers, and loggers, the forest quickly grew into a bustling center within the region; remnants include ditches that provided water to mines and several railroads used to transport logs from the area for ongoing development.

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The forest earns its name from the headwaters of the Stanislaus River, originally named “Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe” and later changed in honor of the Native American leader: Estanislao.

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Visit the Sierra Nevada Logging Museum (sierraloggingmuseum.org) during your visit to learn more about one of our country’s oldest forests. 

For more information, visit alltrails.com/trail/us/california/arnold-rim-trail.

by Ryan Martinez

Do you have a favorite trail in the region you’d like to see featured? Tell us all about it at [email protected].