This trail begins just off Parrot’s Ferry road about .25 mile north of the Parrot’s Ferry bridge on the east side of the road. There is a very limited parking space off the road that is uphill and through a cattle crossing guard that has room for only two or three cars. Most people should park at the bride overlook parking area and walk the short distance up the hill to the trailhead. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Valley Project New Melones Dam. The trail is generally level for the first mile or so and then starts an uphill climb to the top of the hill that overlooks the reservoir. Most of the trail is on a south facing hillside and because of this and the fairly low altitude the flowering plants here are heavily dependent on winter period rains. In a normal weather year it dries out rather quickly and is generally one of the earliest blooming spots in Tuolumne County. Beware of BMX bikers that have turned portions of the trail into a jumping course and love to come down the trail at speed. It is very convenient to visit this area along with a walk to Natural Bridges as they are very close to each other but have significantly different plants.
(Last revised 2/16/07)