Near San Joaquin River Trail
The view from the final hill on the San Joaquin River Trail.
Near San Joaquin River Trail
Southeast view from the top of Pincushion Peak, overlooking the San Joaquin River and Millerton Lake.
Near San Joaquin River Trail
The Big Sandy Bridge.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

San Joaquin River Trail

4.3 (3 Ratings)
A great trail local to Fresno.
14.5
mi
Distance
2,814
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
River/CreekViewsWildflowers

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
14.54mi
Distance
2,814ft
Elevation Gain
3,245ft
Elevation Loss
55%
Max Grade
1,255ft
High Point
571ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The San Joaquin River Trail will eventually extend from Friant Dam to Devils Postpile National Monument. Currently, you can hike approximately 16 miles of singletrack from Finegold Bay to the San Joaquin River Gorge Parking area. If you park in the San Joaquin River Gorge there is a $5 parking fee. The trail can also be accessed near Temperance Flat from Welbarn Road. You can do this trail as a shuttle or an out and back from any access point. You can connect to the Wuh-ki'o Trail or the Pa'san Ridge Trail at the Gorge parking lot for a truly epic day outside. The meadow sections of the trail are spectacular in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. Be careful in the summer months as the heat is significant and there is no water available along the trail. Make sure to stop and appreciate the Big Sandy Bridge that solved one of the connection problems for this trail.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Contributors
Brian Smith