Welcome to Tuolumne County
Many people choose Tuolumne County as a vacation destination for our vast recreation and adventure options. My family and I did so from our Pinecrest cabin until we decided to make it our primary residence from the Bay Area in 1986.
Fly Fishing
We have a lot of water in Tuolumne County. The major river systems are the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and Merced River drainages. All of these have good resident populations of Rainbow and Brown Trout as well as Fall runs of spawning steelhead and Salmon.
Higher elevation fishing is very popular in the Upper Stanislaus Rivers, Pinecrest and Beardsley Reservoirs. Tuolumne County adjoins Mono County at the Sonora Pass summit, gateway to the incredible eastside. The Walker Rivers begin near Bridgeport and the Owens Rivers near Mammoth Lakes with the June Lake resort area in between. All of these river systems are excellent trophy trout fisheries with Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Golden trout.
We also have numerous lakes and reservoirs for the boating anglers. Pinecrest and Beardsley are our main high country lakes with good boat access. They are both stocked heavily with Rainbows. The lower elevation lakes, primarily New Melones, Don Pedro and Tulloch are trophy trout and bass lakes.
Skiing
Dodge Ridge is the ski area I grew up with and met my wife while patrolling in 1967. The mountain is ½ hour from Twain Harte on a nice all weather highway. The resort has a nice lodge, rentals, cafeterias and amenities. Dodge is geared for a family experience with 800 acres of skiable terrain from beginner to expert.
Base 6600, summit 8200, vertical 1600, 800 acres with average annual snowfall 350"
Bear Valley is approximately 1 hour from Twain Harte and is another great skiing experience with 1680 acres of skiable terrain from beginner to expert.
Base 6600, summit 8500, vertical 1900 with average annual snowfall 360"
Golf
Twain Harte has a beautiful 9 hole track above the summer heat. The course is meticulously maintained and a challenge for even low handicap players. Twain Harte golf is a favorite for locals as it is easily walked and centrally located to town. Also, great bar and restaurant.
Sonora is home to Teleli Golf Club with an easy drive to Saddle Creek and Green Creek Golf Course. All three of these courses are championship rated.
Hiking
Yosemite National Park is about 1 hour from both Twain Harte and Sonora. The Park is a world renown climbing destination, also some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the country. Yosemite Valley is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls anywhere. The Valley is a great day trip, especially in the Spring, when the falls are at their peak.
There are numerous short trails in and around Twain Harte, mostly along the flume water system. Pinecrest Lake loop is a favorite with several terrain options, including the Cleo's Bath trail. Kennedy Meadows is a beautiful high country meadow with the Stanislaus River running through it at about 7000' elevation with some wonderful trails.
Kennedy adjoins the Emigrant Wilderness Area with hundreds of miles of great trails and dozens of high country lakes. The Sonora Pass is spectacular volcanic terrain and views. Highway 108 intersects the Pacific Crest Trail—turn left, hike to Canada, turn right hike to Mexico.
Snowmobile
The Sonora Pass area offers world class snowmobiling beginning at the Hwy 108 winter closure 6 miles east of Strawberry. There are millions of acres to explore in meadows, on logging roads and the above tree line terrain at and beyond the Sierra Crest.
Whitewater Rafting
Just outside Yosemite, the Tuolumne River offers one of the best all around whitewater rafting trip experiences in the country. Spectacular scenery, class four rapids and great side hikes.