Utica Reservoir Campground to Stanislaus River Loop is a 4 mile loop trail located near Pinecrest, California that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
This is a strenuous off-trail route and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. The first part from Route 7N17 to the river is a steep downhill with constant bushwhacking and is very hard to pass in places. The along-the-river section is an uphill route with constant rock hopping, in places requiring to be creative and trial-and-error to move forward; lots of opportunities to wade in cold water. The rest of the way from the dam to the campground is a peaceful moderate uphill walk on an unpaved forest route.
October 15, 2020
First to ReviewThis is the shortest path I could find (after several days of trying) from Utica reservoir campground to Stanislaus river. See Description for more or less all you need to know. The trail offers spectacular views, great exercise and cooling down in cold river water which helps a lot to make it through. About half of the path is totally off-trail, just follow the recording or use your senses to find a better path. It is 4 miles and takes about 4 hrs to hike the loop. About 1/4 of the hike is in shade (depends on time of the day!). Wearing hiking boots to walk on very steep rock slopes (slippery otherwise!) is totally essential.
August 6, 2020June 29, 2020
