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CALAVERAS COUNTY IS AN IDEAL WINTER DESTINATION 

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Calaveras County, nestled in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada, is loaded with an abundance of winter recreation and play options for a chilling good time.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Stanislaus National Forest, within Calaveras County, where visitors can enjoy a plethora of snow-inspired recreation, including snow parks for everything from sledding and tubing to cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and free play.

Note: snow play is allowed on National Forest lands anywhere along highways and roads as long as parking is not noted as restricted)

For the “staged” areas, there are three California Sno-Parks on Highway 4 and one on Highway 108. Specific Sno-Park access points are as follows:

“The mountain vistas and crisp air from all three of these locations are second to none,” according to Martin Huberty, Executive Director for Calaveras Visitors Bureau.

A single day permit costs $15.00 and is good for the date issued. A season permit costs $40.00 and can be used at any Sno-Park on the Stanislaus National Forest during the entire winter season. Visit here for more information on Sno-Park information in California. Sno-Park passes are available for purchase online. (Note: Parking fills up fast, so visitors should plan on getting there early)

According to Benjamin Cossel, Public Affairs Officer for the Stanislaus National Forest, “My favorite recommendations for winter exploration are Cougar Rock, Arnold Rim Trail, and Calaveras Big Trees’ North Grove.” He goes on to elaborate, “At Cougar Rock, there’s an impressive outcropping of granite and the multi-use trails are ideal for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.” He continues, “My personal choice for winter recreation is along the Arnold Trail, where I see something new every time I visit. But, the unanimous favorite is Calaveras’ Big Trees’ North Grove.”

Arnold Rim Trail (ART) – a non-motorized trail system designed for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail connects the many wonders of public lands along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway stretch of Highway 4 to its communities, creating a high level of access. Especially in winter, visitors will discover crisp, breathtaking vistas with panoramic views stretching from Mount Diablo in the East Bay Area to snowy Mount Lyell on the high eastern slopes of the Sierras, including deep canyons with streams coursing through the share of older growth forests of cedar, pine, fir, and oak.

High rocky promontories, native acorn grinding rocks, a magnificent waterfall, birds and wildlife of all kinds, and a lake lie along its current completed section in this part of the Stanislaus National Forest known as the Interface. The ART, whose main trail is projected to be 35 miles long when completed, is a work in progress with intensive collaboration between volunteer citizens and Calaveras County, State Park, and U.S. Forest Service agencies.

Calaveras County’s Big Trees – Established in 1931, Calaveras Big Trees State Park preserves  mixed conifer forest with two groves of giant sequoias – the North Grove and South Grove. In addition to the “big trees,” visitors will enjoy stumbling across the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, ancient volcanic formations, natural meadows, and trails throughout the park that allow for discovering nature’s winter wonderland that has been drawing visitors since 1852.

Cossel’s Insider Tip: Practice your safety culture – make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to return or better yet take a friend when out exploring new areas. Be prepared with essential items like a snack and some water. It’s always advisable to carry a detailed paper map as cell reception along the trails is limited and non-existent in some areas.

Stay within the rules, be safe, and enjoy! For more information and accommodation options, please visit www.gocalaveras.com

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