I must admit, I put off cycling on this trail due to the tunnels along the way. I have a single speed 3-wheeler and any type of incline is a struggle, much more so than a single speed 2-wheeler. But, I have a friend who rides it regularly and enjoys it, that, and some of the pictures of the trail on the website are splendid and inviting. So, I included it with another trail I love and ride regularly. It was the first time I totaled over 20 miles in one day’s ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it, for the most part. I embraced courage and tackled every tunnel on the trail - there and back. I did notice that most, if not all the tunnels have a workaround trail that take you up to the street where from there you can cross the street and reconnect with the trail after the tunnel.

The first time I cycled the trail, I went from Alluvial and Peach to the end of the trail at roughly Dakota and Clovis Ave. I drove around the neighborhood I had once lived in and returned to the trail. What I found disrupting was having to stop at all the many streets within the Old Town area of Clovis and the rest of the trail in the main city of Clovis. I can see why other riders have made adverse comments regarding this issue. So, when taking the trail now, I will begin at one of three entrances and end each time when I come to Sierra Ave, at which point I turn around and go back. So, starting at Shepherd near Willow Ave. At Nees near N. Timmy Ave. Or, at Alluvial and Peach Ave. Stopping at Sierra Ave and turning around.

What I really like about the trail is that it is wide and flat. There are no tree roots popping up which make for a very rough ride. The trail is clean and on each side are trees and underbrush for much of the distance. When moving northward, the trail turns into more of a very wide sidewalk that runs through some housing areas, industrial areas and open country fields. Once you get to Shepherd Ave you are gifted a beautiful view of the nearby hills and the more distance mountains, along with some farmland, orchards, and vineyards - not yet victim to the swiftly spreading disease of the rapid building of houses, apartments and condominiums.

Along the path, you do have to stop at major streets. Some have street lights or stop signs. Others have added a button you can push that illuminates the path so that motorists know you are waiting to cross and they will stop and wait for you. The tunnels can be rather exciting! Going down one is a rush - an E ticket ride. Going back up though can be a workout if you aren’t riding a bike with gears. What I find helpful is to begin fast pedaling as soon as you are able before beginning your ascent. With the momentum the downward trail gives you, it is easier than you would think, however, those last few feet can be a real workout. The one thing I wish Clovis had done would have been to install lights inside the tunnels that would stay on 24/7. It is very dark, especially down the longer tunnels and you cannot always discern what or who is in the tunnel, which could make for a serious accident were you to run into a person or animal, or over broken glass, large rocks, or prickly tree limbs.

A nice feature, along the path that lies in the major area of Old Town Clovis and central Clovis, are emergency phones built into lamp-like poles - there is at least one that is not in working order, but many that are.

Each time I have been on the trail, it was not heavily trafficked and when you do come up on others, the path is wide enough to safely pass one another. I have seen folks walking their dogs, running, cycling skate boarding, walking, and using scooters. Not much wildlife on the trail, with the exception of birds, ground squirrels and red and gray tree squirrels.

If you continue north on the trail, you eventually will hook up with the Fresno Rail Trail and it can take you all the way to Woodward Park and end on Friant Rd.

Dry underbrush 'neath lush green trees.

Gray-white cotton puff clouds and the pale watercolor of streaky clouds in a light blue sky.

Shadow leaves sway under the trees, as the sun lays hot beams on the flat blacktop of the path.

Geese and ducks drift on the water's surface, as the dark form of a fish weaves through the cold current of the stream.

A shadow bird glides across the paved path, as a cool breeze, like silk upon my skin, pushes past me as I pedal along the Dry Creek Trail.

Yes! My healing oasis in Clovis, Ca.

-- Kathy Pippig

The Dry Creek Trail is my favorite of the three trails I ride the most. The trail is paved and on the east side of the trail is the creek. Depending on the weather and time of year, there may or may not be water in the creek.

You will likely see geese, ducks and other birds. Folks walking their dogs. Families and individuals of all ages biking and walking. Kids and adults skate boarding. Children on scooters.

At the south entrance there is a lovely park area that is popular; with exercise equipment, picnic tables, water fountains for humans and their dogs, meeting areas, and plenty of parking. Just past the park is the Clovis Botanical Garden and in the Spring, it is filled with blossoming flowers and is beautiful to see.

There are park benches throughout the trail for folks to sit and enjoy people watching or just enjoy nature.

Midway through the trail, traveling north, just before the Nees Ave light, there is an obelisk that displays stats: like the number of bicycles passing through for the day and for the year, as well as other stats.

The north/west side of the trail runs through a housing area that is quite nice and separate from the trail. At the north end of the trail is a large area for picnicking, resting, and there are clean nice toilets. A marvelous, giant metal sculpture of a horse stands in the center. And to the east side of this area is a nice-sized parking lot. There is also a spot where you can air up the tires on your bike with the equipment provided.

All in all, this trail is, for me, like biking along a path in the nearby hills, with a river running alongside - that was my first impression and it still holds true every time I ride the trail.

Kathy Pippig

Love the surroundings every time I go because it’s very clean and great breakfast spots in old town. I will say though when going in tunnels it’s hard to pick up speed because sometimes it’s crowded with people and some don’t respect the path ways.

The trail is in a great location, traveling behind the town, along beautiful farms. There are plenty of old growth trees providing shade on a hot Central Valley day. The only draw back are the numerous street crossings. The ramps down and up the street are covered with the large yellow bumps you see on most walkways. As a skateboarder this makes crossing the streets difficult. Without the bumps this would be a 4 star trail easy.

I read previous reviews on this trail so was concerned but I tried it. The only part of the trail with the raised cracks not suitable for biking is near the trail head. To avoid this, ride on the street in that section then jump on the trail. This trail connects to the Clovis trail making for a nice long ride. Shady, runs along the water and shaded. Beautiful area. Loved it.

The tree roots have destroyed the asphalt, and it is not suitable for bicycles. Walking would be ok. I wasted a long drive to ride about 100 yard. Terrible trail, never go back!! ¿¿¿¿¿

Location: Visalia, CA
Parking: Gravel lot in industrial area, west end of trail.
Trail Condition: Surface is fine and wide enough but not very appealing. Old and gray asphalt with a few old railroad track crossings at an angle…be careful crossing!
Signage: None.
Comments: The first 3 miles or so of the trail are in the industrial area of Visalia. The trail is between active track and busy Goshen Ave. Guessing the track is only occasional used, although a yard engine and a few cars did move along the track (in the industrial area) while we were on the trail. There are several intersection to cross, push button for crossing signal, at least these are spaced a good distance apart and didn’t feel like we were stopping every couple minutes for a cross road. The trail is mostly unappealing, straight and level. It is a rail-trail for sure. We encountered a single walker on the eastern end. This trail ok based trail condition, not pretty but not a bunch of cracks or roots, etc. Wouldn’t do this one again.

Location: Visalia, CA
Parking: Riverway Sports Park…lots of parking available, nice park.
Trail Condition: Wonderful asphalt trail condition, new. This is a very wide trail, wide enough for a vehicle to easily drive it and some were but not a problem.
Signage: Informational and regulatory signs but no directional signs, which aren’t really needed.
Comments: Started from the western end Riverway Sports Park. This trail is wide and nice new surface, very easy to ride two abreast with plenty of room. A couple of underpasses avoid having to cross any roads, these parts of the trail are concrete and also very wide and nicely done. After the first section of trail of being in the open and construction of a large housing development to the side it then gets into the trees and more shade. All along following beside the dry river bed. While a previous reviewer mentioned a “no-go zone”, there certainly is a part of the trail with many encampments along the river bed, we passed through during the afternoon and certainly felt safe enough. It is an unfortunate condition. If wanting to avoid this part of the trail, start at St. Johns Park off of Ben Maddox Way and travel east. From this park the trail is more scenic with a lot of trees and a few small parks along it. At the eastern end of the trail, the trail makes a small circle and implies start of this trail. We continued east into Cutler Park to the actual end, as mapped on Trail Link. On the trail we encountered walkers and only a couple bikers, this was during the middle of a weekday. Of the two trails we did in Visalia, this is the preferred trail.

Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd). Drove into Woodward Park but decided not to pay the $5 ($3 senior) parking fee. Should have read Parking & Trail Access description closer. Noted some folks park in shopping mall across Friant Rd from the park entrance.
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Started at South end, rode to North end and returned. Lots and lots of walkers and few bikers on the trail, nice three day weekend afternoon to get outside. Wonderful views of the San Joaquin River valley and mountains in distance. Of the trails in the Fresno (Clovis) area we rode this one was the best. No busy intersections to navigate, enough curves and small up and down hills to keep this one interesting. Highly recommend this trail.