Tuolumne Canyon Trail

The Tuolumne River Canyon Trail follows the south side of the Tuolumne River downstream toward its confluence with the Clavey River, cutting through the heart of the 2013 Rim Fire burn scar in Stanislaus National Forest. It's a moderate, roughly 6-mile route that trades crowds for solitude — a good pick if you want real river access without Yosemite Valley traffic, and it sits just a few miles from Buck Meadows off Highway 120.

Getting There

The standard trailhead is currently closed to vehicle access. To reach it on foot, take the Groveland Ranger District's Forest Service Road 1S01 from Buck Meadows — about a 3.5-mile walk-in before you reach the trail itself. Hikers have also historically used Lumsden Road off Ferretti Road, roughly 4.5 miles to a trailhead a half mile downstream of the Lumsden boat launch, but confirm current road status with the Groveland Ranger District before you go.

What to Expect

• Forest Service trail number 17E56, maintained as a standard/terra trail
• A post-fire landscape from the 2013 Rim Fire, with strong wildflower blooms in spring
• River access along the route, with the option to extend the hike by linking up with the Hamby Trail (a car shuttle between trailheads helps)

Safety Notes

This is a backcountry trail with no services at the trailhead — carry everything you need in the way of water. The Forest Service flags loose and falling rock, flash floods, and debris flows as real hazards here, and standing dead trees from the Rim Fire can come down without warning, especially in wind or rain. Give dead trees and loose slopes a wide berth.