Tag: Pacific Valley

New day hike in the high country

by maryincalaveras, posted in Day Hikes, Mosquito Lake - Pacific Valley Trail, Upper Mokelumne River Canyon

Today we’re recommending a moderately challenging day hike with some cardio ridge climbing, expansive Sierra view, and a path through a favorite forest meadow.

It’s a great time to be up at altitude. Web trail inventory provider AllTrails makes it easier with their easy to use tools, replacing another inventory company called EveryTrail. We are grateful for AllTrail’s services.

Visit the MCCT day hike page and start planning your day hike!

1.1 mile trail opens in high country; nets 30+ miles of trail goodness

by maryincalaveras, posted in Trail Construction, Upper Mokelumne River Canyon

U.S. Forest Service partners completed this tiny 1.1 mile-long section last fall, days before the Butte Fire turned us upside down here in Calaveras County. Naturally our energies pivoted to our community. I am happy to report MCCT board members returned to their homes, although the community has forever changed.

Now almost a year has passed; time to rally around this tiny but very strategic connector trail between Mosquito Lake and Pacific Valley – a huge milestone for two big reasons!

  1. The snow melted and the MCCT east of Lake Alpine to Ebbetts Pass is now open (note: not all trail signs are posted yet)
  2. Hikers and equestrians can travel between Ebbetts Pass to Lake Alpine on the non-motorized trail with sections nearer Hwy 4, rather than the longer partially motorized trail set in the back country

Trail posts are installed at both ends of the new section, as seen in the following images:

Trail friends at Heiser Lake Trail junction
1.1 miles later after an up and over the ridge hike down in to Pacific Valley

Please note bicycling is required to follow the highway along sections of the trail passing through Carson-Iceberg Wilderness between Lake Alpine and Ebbetts Pass. See map. Search or zoom in on the orange line in the high country to see Pacific Valley.