Sugar Pine Railway - Strawberry Branch:
California
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Description:
For more than 50 years in the early 1900s, the Sugar Pine Railway operated steam trains to haul logs along the Stanislaus River for the Standard Lumber Company, and later the Pickering Lumber Company. Today this wooded corridor hosts a gentle 3-percent grade rail-trail that can be enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and, in the winter months, cross-country skiers. The trail represents a very small part of the Sugar Pine Railway system, which included about 70 miles of main line and almost 400 miles of spurs and branches. While there are a number of rail-trails in the Sierra due to the area's extensive logging history, this is one of the easiest and most family-friendly because of its easy accessibility, gentle grade and relatively forgiving dirt surface.
Begin at the Fraser Flat Road trailhead for a nicely shaded, gradual uphill grade that affords great views of the majestic South Fork of the Stanislaus River below. The dirt trail surface can be loose in places, and there are some considerable dips in the trail-be careful and keep your eye on what's ahead. At the 1.5-mile mark, halfway through the trail, pass through an unlocked cattle fence and continue. Near the 2.5-mile mark, the trail opens up into a meadow. Here the trail becomes less obvious, but across the meadow you can see where it reenters the forest.
Interpretive tour signs along the trail point out historical highlights. The signs are numbered for use with an informational brochure that you can pick up at the Summit and Mi-Wok Ranger District offices of Stanislaus National Forest. It's a good idea to pick up a map of the area while you're there-the roads aren't well-marked and finding your way around can be challenging.
The trail ends when it intersects with Old Strawberry Road at mile 3. For a longer ride, head south (right) on Old Strawberry Road to visit the historic logging town of Strawberry. Your return trip on the trail to Fraser Flat Road is downhill.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Mi-Wok Ranger District office, head east from Modesto on Highway 108 for about 63 miles. From the district office, turn right (northeast) back onto Highway 108 and continue for about 9 miles to Fraser Flat Road (Forest Road 4N01). Turn left and continue downhill to the bridge at the South Fork of the Stanislaus River. The trailhead (which has no signs) and parking are adjacent to the river, on the south side of the road.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
The trail can be used year-round. Hiking and mountain biking are best in the spring, summer, and fall; you man cross-county ski on the trail during the winter months when snow permits.
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Please Respect the Private Property
By Jerry Benedict in October, 2003
"Some of the areas between Twain Harte and Lyons Dam are private property. Trail users, please respect this private property and keep to the trail."
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This picture was taken on the middle portion of the trail. It is about 7 miles west of Fraser Flat. You can cool off in the river on a hot day!
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Fraser Flat Road at South Fork of Stanislaus River to Old Strawberry Road
Counties: Tuolumne
Trail Length: 5.04 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Dirt
Trail Activities: Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6015315

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Western rail-trails in RTC's Western Guidebook.
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