TCT #44 -- Lisa Mayo

Lisa Mayo

I had to do a double-take when I learned of ANOTHER "Trail Heads" program in Tuolumne County.  I learned it was a project of Visit Tuolumne County, our tourism bureau, intended to encourage visitors and residents alike to get out on our trails.  Of course, I had to learn more!  Lisa Mayo, the President and CEO of Visit Tuolumne County, was happy to oblige.  She's the subject of this month's interview.  We discuss the program, the initial dozen trails, the incentives and bonuses (badges and frames for your social network), hiking responsibly, sharing the trail, leave no trace, plans to add more trails according to seasons or attractions, and more!  Lisa is a livelong Tuolumne County resident and loves our trails and natural beauty.  She and I had a BLAST talking about hiking, as you can tell.  So give a listen then go to Visit Tuolumne County's website and explore their recommended hikes, record the hikes you've taken, and claim (and display!) your badges!

Not to show off,
but I got one of these!

Here is a link to the July 2021 Tuolumne County Trailhead radio show, TCT #44 -- Lisa Mayo:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SMpWRXQPf4iS0cDTnvcrzom2Fqflk2rM/view?usp=sharing

Here is a link to Visit Tuolumne County's "Trailheads" hiking challenge: https://www.visittuolumne.com/hiking-biking-trails

And here is a link to the flyer of the first dozen of Visit Tuolumne County's recommended hikes:  https://www.visittuolumne.com/vtc_trail_heads-map.pdf

Ya know, with every 1,000' of elevation gain on a clear day, you may subtract about 5 degrees in temperature.  Our hike recommendations this month are all at a minimum of 7,000', so while the lowlanders in Sonora (at about 2,000') are baking, you can be chilling in the mid 70's!  All three hikes are along Herring Creek Road (also known as Forest Road 4N12), about 2.5 miles east of Strawberrry.

Trail of the Gargoyles in the snow;
see what I mean about the precipitous rim?!?

Easy:  Trail of the Gargoyles -- take this interpretive trail, and you can check off one of the Visit
Tuolumne Trailheads hikes.  There are two trails -- the easier Trail of the Gargoyles, https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/trail-of-the-gargoyles-hike and the slightly more difficult Trail of the Gargoyles North Rim, https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/trail-of-the-gargoyles-north-rim  Features include such kid-pleasing names as "Wall of Noses," "Death Slide," and "Gargoyle Ridge."  Be careful along the precipitous rim of the formation. On your way, stop off at the Summit Ranger Station at Pinecrest on your way to pick up an interpretive guide.

Pretty Herring Creek

Moderate:  Just a short way from the Gargoyles is the lovely Herring Creek Trail.  This is a fairly easy hike but moderate due to the length -- a total of 7 miles.  But those miles are green and shady with a stop by the reservoir then a walk along the creek.  Go 3.5 miles then turn around at the prominent "Main Trail" sign, and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.  The trailhead is in the Herring Creek Reservoir Campground.  The campground is currently closed; you may park outside then walk in.  The trailhead begins at the end of the campground road.  This hike isn't in AllTrails, so here's a link to the campground's webpage with directions:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=15035&actid=29

Challenging:  Pinecrest Peak, 8,445', will cool you down -- AFTER it wipes you out, haha! 

Near the Pinecrest Peak summit

To get to the trailhead, take Herring Creek Road for about 2.8 miles then turn right on Forest Road 4N27 (watch for the "Message Board" sign); drive to the end of the road.  The trail starts on the other side of the bride over Herring Creek.  There aren't many signs on the way up, but they're there when you need 'em!  Here's the AllTrails skinny on the trail:  https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/pinecrest-peak and also our own trip report of our 9/1/18 hike up Pinecrest Peak: https://tctrailhead.blogspot.com/2018/09/trip-report-pinecrest-peak-9118.html