Few visitors know that Calaveras Big Trees State Park can be accessed from Upper Moran Road in the Blue Lake Springs neighborhood of Arnold,

Few visitors know that Calaveras Big Trees State Park can be accessed from Upper Moran Road in the Blue Lake Springs neighborhood of Arnold, just over a mile from our cabin, Snowflake Chalet. From the trail head, it is approximately a 4 mile roundtrip hike to the North Grove, around the loop and back to the trailhead.

How to Access the Trailhead

When you turn into the BLS neighborhood at Moran Road, make an immediate left and go east on Upper Moran Road for about 1 mile until you reach the gate at the end of the road. You may park on the side of the road before beginning your hike.

Finding the Giant Trees

Start your hike on the fire road, and at about .8 miles, you will come to a fork:

If you turn left here and walk .5 miles, you will end up at the North Grove Campground, and the beginning of the 1.7 mile loop that takes you past many of the giant Sequoia trees begins. (You can also continue straight on the fire road for a nice walk through the forest, ending at a lovely vista point about 1.5 miles in. You will not see the giant trees, but it is still a lovely walk, and dogs are allowed on the fire road.)

If you continue on the trail toward the North Grove campground, you will see this sign as you approach the Grove:📷

Few visitors know that Calaveras Big Trees State Park can be accessed from Upper Moran Road in the Blue Lake Springs neighborhood of Arnold,

Then look for this first giant tree just before you reach the loop trail.

Cross this small stone bridge, and you are almost there:

Next you will see a tree stump the size of a room. In fact, this stump is so big it was once used as a dance floor! This is the start of the North Grove Trail Loop. The trail is a flat, easy walk that meanders through the forest and takes you past some of the largest trees in the world.

You can purchase a trail guide from a box at the start of the loop, and it is well worth it. You'll learn about the history of the grove, the botany of the forest and anecdotes about settling of Calaveras County.

Breathe deeply and take it in -- the smells, the fresh air, the quiet sounds of the forest, the grandeur of the giant trees and variety of foliage will restore your soul!📷