Dragoon Gulch Trail Sonora California
Today I decided to go on a small day hike. It was beautiful blue sky’s and it has been raining like crazy for the last week, so it was the perfect day to get out and about. Now, I didn’t have many choices as the entire Sierras are covered with snow and I don’t have snow shoes. I also didn’t want to travel very far because I had to be on call for my day job, so I needed to stick close.
I hiked Dragoon Gulch Trail last summer with my bestie and I figured this would be the absolute perfect quick day hike, so off I went.
How to get to Dragoon Gulch Trail
There are two different trail heads for this one. There is the Dragoon Gulch trail head which is down along hwy 49. Then there is alpine trail head (this is the one I went to. The Alpine trail head gets full quick. There are less than 10 parking spaces. The Dragoon Gulch trail head has quite a bit of parking in the park area and next to the old hospital.
To get to Woods Creek Rotary Park: From downtown Sonora, drive half a mile west of Washington Street (Route 49) on Stockton Street (Route 49) and turn right (north) onto Woods Creek Road. Drive a quarter mile to the top of Woods Creek Rotary Park where you will find the start of Dragoon Gulch Trail.
Trailhead address: Woods Creek Rotary Park, 641 Woods Creek Drive, Sonora, CA 95370
Trailhead coordinates: 37.982397, -120.39055 (37° 58′ 56.62″N 120° 23′ 25.98″W)To get to the Alpine Lane Trailhead: From downtown Sonora, drive north on Washington Street (Route 49) to Snell Street and turn left. Drive 0.3 miles down Snell Street and continue straight on Bonanza Road. Make the next right on Calaveras Way. Turn left at the next block onto Alpine Lane. Drive 1/3 of a mile to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Trailhead address: 545 Alpine Lane, Sonora, CA 95370
Trailhead coordinates: 37.987285, -120.394616 (37° 59′ 14.22″N 120° 23′ 40.61″W)
Dragoon Gulch Trail
The hike itself is pretty easy and nice. It is a wide dirt trail, dog friendly, and you can shorten it or make it as long as you want really. I think it is the perfect small day hike for if you want to get outside into nature but don’t have much time to go anywhere.
The Dragoon Gulch Trail provides over 3.1 miles of natural trails. The trails travel along a seasonal creek to vistas that provide spectacular views of the City and its surrounding mountain ranges. The trails vary in difficulty making it perfect for the casual walker and for those who want a strenuous hike, jog or bike ride.
Details of the Dragoon Gulch Trail Sonora:
Difficulty: Easy - beginner
Length: 2-3.1 miles round trip
Estimated Hiking Time: 1-1.5 hours
Dogs allowed: Yes
Bikes: Yes
Terrain: Wide dirt trail
Elevation Gain: 272 feet
The trail heads are both paved and ADA accessible which is amazing. They do close the gates at dark and/or 6pm.
FULL WARNING THIS TRAIL GETS HOT IN THE SUMMER! If you are going to bring your dog make sure you bring water. There is the creek at the trailhead; however, there is no water for the remaining of the trail.
Have you ever been hiking along this trail? Are If so, leave a comment below. I would love to chat with you about it.
Wishing you nothing but amazing days and beautiful hikes!
Bessie
