Arnold Rim Trail

This is a nice set of trails you can pop onto at various spots. The signage isn't great and it's sort of tricky to figure out where you are and get to a particular spot, but as long as you're flexible and just want to get some hiking done, then this will certainly work. I walked from the Logging Museum to the San Antonio Creek overlook on one hike, and from the Upper Valley View lot to Cougar Rock on another hike. The hiking is nice, woodsy, pretty shady, and has a good mix of flat and incline. The "loop" is like 35 miles long, so unless you're planning to really hustle or camp out, it's more a series of out and backs.

Very beautiful hike, I went in the summer of 2021 with some friends, and we ended up getting a little bit lost but it still made for a fun time! Make sure to bring a lot of water and read the signs. I also downloaded the app AllTrails to help guide us and it was super helpful. Also we found parking on the street in a residential area, and we just walked to a trail entrance from there.

Do you want to see what the Stanislaus National Forest has to offer ? Go to the Logging Museum at White Pines Lake and step onto the ART. If you love nature you won't be disappointed. In May the Dogwood bloom. In Fall the deciduous trees (Oak, etc.) turn gold. In Winter the snow reminds us of its beauty. In Summer it stays light late and hikes can last longer. This trail is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Get out there and enjoy it.

We have now hiked this trail in two different seasons - fall and winter. Even in three feet of freshly-fallen snow, we had no trouble finding the trail or different markers along the way. The signs and blue tree blazes help a lot. It's a gorgeous stretch of forest, with a healthy level of elevation change. Some stretches are in thick stands of trees, but there are a few places that open up more. We went on a weekday so had the entire trail to ourselves. The snow was deep so we were happy to have brought snow shoes.

Falls Overlook (Marker 11). With certain types of breathtaking beauty, I struggle to use language to describe it. I won't try. Instead, I'll urge you to go. We hiked it in a heat wave, but we were fine with plenty of water, hats, sun block, and the proper amount of food. The elevation gain is minimal, but the trail is steep at parts. I strongly recommend hiking boots for this train. You are rewarded with not just the view at Falls Overlook, but the variety of landscape as you walk; stream, forest, field, mountain, wildflower, to name a few. We were pleased with how quiet the trail was. This might have been a result of people respecting the heat wave, but there was very little evidence of human overuse. One night when we were walking in the town of Arnold, we discovered another trail entrance off of Blagen Rd. Again, we were struck by the beauty.

We only walked on the accessible trail as we were joined by our dogs - a short, time easy walk, beautiful.

Beautiful area. It was a nice location for a trailhead. There was quite a bit of ice and frozen snow on the trail when we went. There were also a lot of small trees and fallen branches blocking the trail. I am guessing that they will have it cleaned up by late spring. The first part of the trail was actually paved, but then turned into mud. We will have to go back later in the year.

Definitely a treat to hike through the Arnold Rim Trail on a beautiful morning, when the dogwood trees are in full bloom. The beginning part of the trail is pretty easy-going and low-key. You will definitely enjoy it.

This was an awesome trail. We got our Christmas tree here also! Very peaceful place. You can hike a scenic trail or just drive to the top. The way to the top is pretty off road though so don't try it in a Prius. No phone signal out there also.

A must for hikers when in Arnold, Well maintained trail with Spectacular views, Hike it, Bike it,(no motorized bikes) Ride it(horses ok), or Run it...Use public access and stay off private Property, read the signs and have a wonderful day...