Ranger Hilary Maxworthy of the Bureau of Reclamation promised to take us on a wildflower hike, and boy, she delivered! As about 30 Trail Heads gathered in an April shower to walk the usually restricted (Homeland Security) Melones Railroad Grade in the Peoria area near Jamestown, we were immediately treated to tiny Butter and Eggs carpeting the parking area of the Equestrian Staging Area. While she was awaiting us, Ranger Hilary said that she watched an Osprey return with a fish to a nest in a nearby power pole. A promising start to our hike!
The overnight “atmospheric river” and continuing light drizzle rendered the trail – normally dirt – into sloppy, slippery mud. We had to watch our footing, and many of us used hiking poles for stability. This initial section of the route took us through a grassy, green oak woodland with rolling hills and inspiring views ending in distant mist. And Brewers Lupine, lots and lots of lupine. After about 3/4-mile, we were rain-free and soon on the well-drained railroad grade which we followed for most of our 4.25 mile hike. The railroad grade was hewn out of the north-facing wall of the Stanislaus River canyon to get materials out to the construction site of the original Melones Dam (now beneath the waters of New Melones Lake). This provides a protected environment for diminutive, delicate wildflowers. Some of the names I remember are Fairy Lantern, Chinese House, Sticky Monkeyflower, Seep-spring
Monkeyflower, Buck Brush, Popcorn Flower, Frying Pan Poppy, Miners Lettuce, Hairy Fringepod, Phacelia, Gold Field, asters, Blue Dick, Paintbrush, Liveforever, Bush Lupine, Redbud, Buckeye. There was also a very healthy crop of Poison Oak. Along the way, Ranger Hilary related stories and showed photos of the building of the railroad and the first Melones Dam. She also talked about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere thanks to gymnosperms and angiosperms and pollenators and what we can do to help the wildflowers which give us diversity, life, and beauty (what we can do is NOT pick them so they can do their jobs!). We got up close and personal with the earthen New Melones Dam (2nd highest, after Oroville, in CA) then retraced the two miles back to our cars for a bonus jaunt up to the Dam Overlook (Ranger Hilary opened the gate for our party). While taking another look at the dam and part of the trail we'd just walked, we spotted several immature Bald Eagles soaring above!
The Peoria area of New Melones Lake is northwest of Jamestown. Take O’Byrnes Ferry Rd. toward Copperopolis. Turn right at New Peoria Flat Rd. (the sign for “Baseline Conservation Camp” is prominent). Take a hard right at the Baseline Conservation Camp onto Old Melones Dam Rd. The first trailhead is on the left, the Equestrian Staging Area with a port-a-potty and ample parking. The second trailhead is further up Old Melones Dam Rd. at the closed gate. There is limited parking here.
We were originally going to use this second trailhead for our Peoria area outing which was to be a 4-mile loop up the strenuous Peoria Mountain trail with a moderate traverse to the ridge then down via the Green Springs trail. Because of its low elevation, the Peoria area is accessible year-round. It's especially lovely in the spring with poppies, vetch, green grass, and oaks leafing-out. However, it can be very hot in late spring and summer -- bring WATER! It's also popular with deer hunters during the season -- wear ORANGE! If you go on our own, be aware that this area isn't well-signed; you'll have to use your "trail sense" to find your way. However, the trails seem to connect and it’s fairly easy to get oriented due to the prominent landmarks of the lake and/or the mountain.
This hike was superlative in a couple of ways – at 8 miles,
it was our longest hike so far; over an hour from Sonora, the trailhead was the
most remote so far. It was also typical
in a couple of ways – we had another challenge with roads, this time a cattle
drive was in progress at Jacksonville and Stent Roads; the weather was perfect
(as I’ve come to learn, ANY weather is perfect for Trail Heads!).
About 20 of us carpooled and caravanned from Jamestown and
Groveland, and about 10 more met us at the trailhead. The adventure started pretty much as soon as
we hit the road: We halted for a cattle
drive at the intersection of Jacksonville and Stent Roads! We proceeded unhindered through Groveland and
Buck Meadows, past the Rim of the World vista point and Rainbow Pools, turning
onto Cherry Lake Road and into the heart of the Rim Fire burn area. Cherry Lake Road is narrow, winding and
scales ridges which afford stunning views into the Tuolumne River canyon and
the snowy peaks of Yosemite and Sonora Pass.
At the highest on the road, we were at about 4,000’ but quickly dove
into the canyon and reached river-level at 2,400’. Thank goodness for low gear!
Due to the low elevation, this trail is open year-round,
though there may be issues with access if it happens to be snowy or icy on the
access roads or highway. To get to the
trailhead, take Cherry Lake Rd. from Highway 120 (east of Groveland, Buck
Meadows, the Rim of the World vista point, and Rainbow Pools). After many gorgeous miles on the narrow,
winding road, you’ll come to a distinct fork – take the left (right takes you
to Camp Mather and Hetch Hetchy), which continues as Cherry Lake Rd. You’ll immediately begin your descent into
the river canyon. You’ll reach a bridge
at river-level; cross the bridge then turn right. Drive on past the houses, buildings,
powerhouse; the road dead ends at the trailhead. There’s plenty of parking, a vault toilet,
and a bear box.
I am just back from a fact-finding trip to the Preston Falls Trailhead for tomorrow's Cinco de Mayo hike, and I'm THRILLED to report we're in for a fabulous day! The weather outlook is great -- it'll be in the mid-70s, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. It's green & lush at river-level, and the Tuolumne is running full and loud. I walked a short distance on the trail and found healthy, huge poison oak bushes, so beware. On-leash dogs are welcome, but Seth of the Tuolumne River Trust says he's never seen a dog-hiker combo make it all the way to the falls, as the doggos tend to poop out. My critters came to the trailhead with me today, but they're staying home tomorrow.
The overnight “atmospheric river” and continuing light drizzle rendered the trail – normally dirt – into sloppy, slippery mud. We had to watch our footing, and many of us used hiking poles for stability. This initial section of the route took us through a grassy, green oak woodland with rolling hills and inspiring views ending in distant mist. And Brewers Lupine, lots and lots of lupine. After about 3/4-mile, we were rain-free and soon on the well-drained railroad grade which we followed for most of our 4.25 mile hike. The railroad grade was hewn out of the north-facing wall of the Stanislaus River canyon to get materials out to the construction site of the original Melones Dam (now beneath the waters of New Melones Lake). This provides a protected environment for diminutive, delicate wildflowers. Some of the names I remember are Fairy Lantern, Chinese House, Sticky Monkeyflower, Seep-spring 
We were originally going to use this second trailhead for our Peoria area outing which was to be a 4-mile loop up the strenuous Peoria Mountain trail with a moderate traverse to the ridge then down via the Green Springs trail. Because of its low elevation, the Peoria area is accessible year-round. It's especially lovely in the spring with poppies, vetch, green grass, and oaks leafing-out. However, it can be very hot in late spring and summer -- bring WATER! It's also popular with deer hunters during the season -- wear ORANGE! If you go on our own, be aware that this area isn't well-signed; you'll have to use your "trail sense" to find your way. However, the trails seem to connect and it’s fairly easy to get oriented due to the prominent landmarks of the lake and/or the mountain.
