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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)

    4.5
    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 / 2500 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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Camping and Lodging in Pinecrest

Pinecrest
Pinecrest, California

Pinecrest

Pioneer Trail
Pinecrest, California

Pioneer Trail

Big Meadow Stanislaus Natl Fs
Big Meadow Cmpg

Big Meadow Stanislaus Natl Fs

Lake Alpine   Lodgepole Group
Big Meadow Cmpg

Lake Alpine Lodgepole Group

Bear Valley Resort Glamping
Bear Valley, California

Bear Valley Resort Glamping

From $129 / night

(Lake Alpine) Silver Valley Campground
Arnold, California

(Lake Alpine) Silver Valley Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Pinecrest

Confronting Our Egos through Travel

Confronting Our Egos through Travel

Ryan Longnecker

23 Things I Learned in 23 Days on the John Muir Trail

23 Things I Learned in 23 Days on the John Muir Trail

Girls Who Hike

Why Backpacking Clouds Rest Should Make Your Permit Application Lineup

Why Backpacking Clouds Rest Should Make Your Permit Application Lineup

AJ Johnson

10 Ways to make camping in Yosemite National Park even better

10 Ways to make camping in Yosemite National Park even better

Meghan White

Review: Danner Mountain Light boots in Yosemite National Park

Review: Danner Mountain Light boots in Yosemite National Park

Hannah Sibley