Pinecrest Peak

1. Pinecrest Peak directions

by Gzkd, Thursday, April 12, 2012 4:52 PM

The map shows a long loop up to Eagle Peak, but I would go for a shorter version the first time around. Pinecrest Peak or "PCP", can be linked to many other trails, some above it and some below, but no matter how you ride it, it will be one of the best rides you've ever done, unless you're a beginner, then it will be one of the worst! Get a topo map that shows the roads better, make a copy of these directions, and drive up hwy 108 to Strawberry. Drive up the street between the store and the Post Office 1/3 mile to the end, at a gate. Park and get ready to climb. Left of the gate is an ungated dirt road that goes up past a little shack. Past the shack to the right is an open area. Climb up and find a rock cairn by a big pine. A trail starts there-climb it to a road and turn left. Follow road, staying right at 5 way intersection, after a bit go straight past rock barriers in the road. Road fades to singletrack and soon hits paved Herring Creek Rd.(4N12) Turn right, follow pavement till it turns to dirt, then keep going about a mile and turn right. You'll immediately drop down for a little ways, staying on main road (right at fork), cross bridge and continue climbing. It's a long climb, but never super steep. Eventually you come to a fork. Turn right on 5N31 toward Pincrest Peak. When you get to an intersection at 8200', go straight and, that's right, keep climbing! Up on the ridge, stay left at fork and a quick pump takes you to the top at 8440'. From the very top, if you look south to southeast the trail starts out faintly. Most people don't know about this cool bonus section. The trail drops a bit, then contours right. After 1/2 mile, you'll hit a road, turn left, follow 1/2 mile to the end. At the roads end is granite cliffs toward the west. The main PCP bales off left over a small cliff. Somewhat faint for 100' but soon is obvious. After a ways of switch backing through granite, you cross an open flat and come to a "V" in the trail. If you thought the "bonus" section was really cool, veer right onto "Angel Dust" and have fun. If Bonus was a bit too much, veer left for a bit easier riding. They eventually merge back together. When you get to the first small pond, fork left on a trail to a nice view. Further down, at Catfish Lakes, you'll go around a pond, and just as you climb above the pond, take a right turn on a trail. This is a critical turn and is usually marked with cairns or a post, but the markers frequently disappear. Eventually you will merge into a trail paralleling the Stanislaus River. Go downstream, cross Herring Creek on the log bridge, and a short distance you will be at the gate and your car. About 3 1/2-5 hours.