REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Any good trail near Groveland?

2864 Views 19 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Trabso, Dec 1, 2006

BigBull

Discussion Starter · Dec 19, 2005

I am going to spend Christmas and a few more days in Groveland with in-laws (it's on Hwy 120 close to Yosemite). Can anybody suggest some good trails there? in case I really get bored...
Thanks in advance.

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CheapWhine

· #2 · Dec 19, 2005

BigBull said:
I am going to spend Christmas and a few more days in Groveland with in-laws (it's on Hwy 120 close to Yosemite). Can anybody suggest some good trails there? in case I really get bored...
Thanks in advance.

Here are a few ideas:
1. Red Hills. See the Ogre's page at http://ogrehut.com/trails.php/Sierra-South/RedHills_May_2002 for more details. You'll have to go back down Priest Grade and through Chinese Camp.

2. Out near the end of Ferretti Road and down to Lumsden Campground. Just past that, there is a trail that winds it way up the canyon back to 120 at Buck's Meadow. No single track but good views of the Toulumne River and about 4200 feet of climbing.

3. There are a few trails off of Ferretti Road nearer to Pine Mountain Lake. Cedar rings a bell as being a pretty and easy ride (there was snow when I did it to add a bit more challenge).

4. There are quite a few logging and Forest Service access roads in the area. Get a Stanislaus National Forest map at the station in Buck Meadow. I haven't tried these yet.

Finch Platte

· #3 · Dec 19, 2005 (Edited)

Groveland's neat.

BigBull said:
I am going to spend Christmas and a few more days in Groveland with in-laws (it's on Hwy 120 close to Yosemite). Can anybody suggest some good trails there? in case I really get bored...
Thanks in advance.

Cheapwhine's suggestions are good, and I have nada to add to those, just seconding the Red Hills. A road bike would be good, too. Some riding to be had on the road that loops by the airport.

Be sure to check out the Iron Door Saloon, said to be CA's oldest continuously operating saloon. Lots of history goin' on. Our band played there a few times way back when, and they let us stay in the rooms above the bar- that was a cool experience.

After checking out the site, I wish I had paid more attention to the damn doors of the place. From England! *whew* Lots of work for a couple of damn doors.

Have fun!

fp

gobike

· #4 · Dec 19, 2005

during my backpacking days

Finch Platte said:
Be sure to check out the Iron Door Saloon, said to be CA's oldest continuously operating saloon. Lots of history goin' on. Our band played there a few times way back when, and they let us stay in the rooms above the bar- that was a cool experience. After checking out the site, I wish I had paid more attention to the damn doors of the place. From England! *whew* Lots of work for a couple of damn doors.

fp

we ended every trip high diving off the rocks on the tuolumne below hetch hetchy and then a slobber knocking drunk fest at the iron door. Man I love that place! Great memories...

scheckler

· #5 · Dec 19, 2005

Your band played at the Iron Door?

Finch Platte said:
Cheapwhine's suggestions are good, and I have nada to add to those, just seconding the Red Hills. A road bike would be good, too. Some riding to be had on the road that loops by the airport.

Be sure to check out the Iron Door Saloon, said to be CA's oldest continuously operating saloon. Lots of history goin' on. Our band played there a few times way back when, and they let us stay in the rooms above the bar- that was a cool experience. After checking out the site, I wish I had paid more attention to the damn doors of the place. From England! *whew* Lots of work for a couple of damn doors.

Have fun!

fp

Oh my.... I lived in Groveland/Pine Mountain Lake(my parents still do)and I had alot of "fun" times at the Iron Door Saloon- too many blurry memories coming back.... I wonder if I saw your band?

I have also wondered about riding in the Groveland area. I did do some exploring in that area in the late '90's when I first started mountain biking. CheapWhine has some good info. There are also some fireroads off of Hells Hollow Rd that may have other trails. Hells Hollow Rd. is off of 120 between Groveland and Buck Meadows.

Ebo

· #6 · Dec 19, 2005

Off Ferretti Road (fairly close to 120 Buck Meadows) is the Hamby Trail. Starts off with about 3/4 mile of fireroad and then turns to ST. The biggest problem is that it hasn't been cleared in years. It's also one hell of a climb back out. Drops straight down to the Tuolumne River. With some help, I'm hoping to clear more of it next spring. From the bottom, I believe you could work your way upstreams to Lumsden Road and climb out that way. Super boring dirt road. Some of the forest roads at the top of Lumsden flirt the top of the Tuolumne rim. Nice views. There are also some fireroads by the Pine Mtn campground that are ok. Have some fun. I agree with all that has been said about the Iron Door. Fun place to get sloppy. It's now run by a guy from Marin who used to be in the music business I believe.

imjps

· #7 · Dec 19, 2005

Lemme know when you go in for the spring cleaning. That sounds interesting and I probably could help.

jps

Ebo said:
... With some help, I'm hoping to clear more of it next spring...

BigBull

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 19, 2005

Sounds great

Thanks folks, I think I 'll have tons of fun this Christmas!

gacck

· #9 · Dec 21, 2005

BigBull said:
Thanks folks, I think I 'll have tons of fun this Christmas!

Bull,
What kind of ride are you looking for? My folks live up in Groveland also and I (we) are coming up on the 24th and leaving late on the 26th. My 2 brothers are coming up also, and we are all bringing our bikes...quite a bit of difference in the shape we're in though. We plan on just checking things out on Monday morning, nothing killer, just going out and having some fun. Not sure where we will go yet. One thing for sure is I couldn't talk them into dropping down to the river and then having them climb back out! Doesn't seem like much more than fire roads in the area, but that is OK with us. Let me know if you have firmed up your plans...looks like the weather will cooperate for now!!

Cheers,
Chip

Ebo

· #10 · Dec 21, 2005

You might want to park at the top of Lumsden Rd and take the forest road heading due east. Really mellow ride that follows all the power lines. Starts off with a very gentle, short climb. Some great views looking down into the canyon. A few short blasts of single track here and there, but mostly dirt road.

Ebo

· #11 · Dec 21, 2005

I'll post something once spring comes around. This trail needs a lot of work, but has some steep descents that would be a lot more fun if you were not constantly dodging poison oak or trimming it away. It seems the forest service has left this trail with zero maintanance. There is another trail that drops down into the canyon over by the airport. I think its called Indian Crk. Maybe 500 ft less of a drop into the canyon. I have yet to ride it, but my dad hiked it a couple years ago and it too was overgrown.

scheckler

· #12 · Dec 21, 2005

Ebo said:
I'll post something once spring comes around. This trail needs a lot of work, but has some steep descents that would be a lot more fun if you were not constantly dodging poison oak or trimming it away. It seems the forest service has left this trail with zero maintanance. There is another trail that drops down into the canyon over by the airport. I think its called Indian Crk. Maybe 500 ft less of a drop into the canyon. I have yet to ride it, but my dad hiked it a couple years ago and it too was overgrown.

Ebo, my parents live right off the runway at the airport I will have to check out the area. I did some riding by the airport, past the stables, a long time ago and found some interesting stuff. I like your idea of some trail work in the spring... keep me posted.

CheapWhine

· #13 · Dec 21, 2005

I tried Indian Creek a few years ago. Seemed to be a fireroad with a loop at the bottom. Maps suggested that there was a trail there somewhere but it was so overgrown that I couldn't find it.

As you suggested, there were several access roads off of Hell's Hollow that look promising but I had a chance to explore them yet.

It seems like everyone's parents live up there.

gacck

· #14 · Dec 22, 2005 (Edited)

Guys,
Thanks for all the info. I normally fly into the airport when I go up, but this time I'm dragging a big rototiller back up to my folks place, so I need to take the truck anyway, so I get the bring the bikes also!! I looked up Lumsden Rd on mapquest and it comes up with zip...anyone have anymore details?

Cheers,
Chip

Ebo

· #15 · Dec 22, 2005

It also goes by Forest Route 1N09. Where 120 and Ferretti roads meet up by Buck Meadows, it's about a mile in on Ferretti on the right. Two forest roads meet here. One (FR 1N09) goes all the way down to the Tuolumne, and the other heads up a bit to the right and follows the powerlines. Hard to miss. If your'e looking for the Hanby trail, there is a green gate on the right about 1-2 miles farther down Ferretti. The trailhead starts after about a mile or less past the green gate. You will see the US Forest sign off to the right. Enjoy.

gacck

· #16 · Dec 22, 2005

Ebo,
Thanks for the excellent info...now when I look on Mapquest it all gels!

Cheers,
Chip

CheapWhine

· #17 · Dec 23, 2005 (Edited)

Elevation profile

gacck said:
Ebo,
Thanks for the excellent info...now when I look on Mapquest it all gels!

Cheers,
Chip

Here is a link to an elevation profile I generated starting/ending at Pine Mountain Lake.

The climb may be a bit easier in the cool weather of December rather than August when I did this.

gacck

· #18 · Dec 23, 2005

CheapWhine said:
Here is a link to an elevation profile I generated starting/ending at Pine Mountain Lake.

The climb may be a bit easier in the cool weather of December rather than August when I did this.

Nice profile. I plan on taking my GPS with me and will do the same...thanks for the info.

Cheers...

reddare0

· #19 · Nov 30, 2006

Hanby

Ebo said:
Off Ferretti Road (fairly close to 120 Buck Meadows) is the Hamby Trail. Starts off with about 3/4 mile of fireroad and then turns to ST. The biggest problem is that it hasn't been cleared in years. It's also one hell of a climb back out. Drops straight down to the Tuolumne River. With some help, I'm hoping to clear more of it next spring. From the bottom, I believe you could work your way upstreams to Lumsden Road and climb out that way. Super boring dirt road. Some of the forest roads at the top of Lumsden flirt the top of the Tuolumne rim. Nice views. There are also some fireroads by the Pine Mtn campground that are ok. Have some fun. I agree with all that has been said about the Iron Door. Fun place to get sloppy. It's now run by a guy from Marin who used to be in the music business I believe.

Many years ago A friend, crazy Larry, and I took day packs and fishing poles and made the hike from the green gate down to the river. We fished our way up stream to the dog leg. I think the rafters call this spot tin cabin. We took the trail from the tin cabin to the Lumsden road. There were places where the trail was very good, however, most of the trail needed work. We made the shuttle that morning so we drove back to Ferretti road and picked up the other vehicle. Man, we caught some nice fish!

Trabso

· #20 · Dec 1, 2006 (Edited)

2

Heres the elevation and route I did at Red Hills the Friday after Thanksgiving. If you have never been to Red Hills just one word ROCKY.

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