Trip Notes - West Side Rail Trail

Photo: Where the rails first appeared on the trail by Christine.

Photo Album #172.

Weather: Steady light rain all day. No wind. About 60 degrees.

Trail Head Parking: On the left off of Buchanan Road, just past Miramonte Road in Tuolumne City.

Fee: None.

Description: 10 to 12-mile easy down and back from Buchanan Road to River Ranch campground, following the abandoned West Side Cherry Valley Railroad along side North Fork Tuolumne River. Interpretive kiosks along the way.

Elevation change: 300 ft. maximum.

Transportation: Carpool and rendezvous at Starbucks in East Sonora by 9:45am and at the trail head by 10am. 

Flora: Luoine; Bush, Harlequin & more, Whitehead Mules Ears, Mountain Misery, Dwarf Purple Monkeyflower, Pale Purple Owl Clover, Indian Pink, Indian Paintbrush, Chaparral Clematis, Yellow Mariposa Lily, Bolander's Woodland Star, Purple Milkweed, Orange and Purple Vetch, Liveforever, Sagebrush Indian Paintbrush/Owl Clover.

Fauna: Carlos saw a Gray Fox.

Dinner: Trailgate and then nearby Black Oak Cafe.   

Participants: (20) John & Maria, Michael, Patrick, La Verne, Jackie & Dave, Carlos, Eric, Jeanette, Connie & Tom, Steve, Barb, Christine, Dale, Nick, Rich, Nicole, Becky.

Canine: (3) Maggie, Rocky, Jacques.

Comments: Perfect temperature. Plenty of parking because of the rain. Only a few friendly hikers shared the trail with us. Beautiful wildflowers and interesting reading along the way. We all went at least 10 miles. Carlos and Eric probably did 12 miles. Wet pants and muddy shoes and dogs, but we brought plenty of towels, plastic bags, beer and wine.