McKays Dam Road With A Loop

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

A crushed gravel and dirt doubletrack downhill loop. Expect flat and hilly sections with several more difficult but short climbs and two scenic viewpoints overlooking the North Fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon.

There is plenty of parking space on the shoulder where marked, which is relatively easy to find. This ride is okay for older kids or dogs too.

Pack it in - pack it out. Deer, bears, and cougars are common but seldom seen. However, they see you. Make some noise now and then or attach a bear bell to the handlebars. If you see two cubs, turn around and leave the area. Land managed by Sierra Pacific Industries (timber), US Forest Service and Northern California Power Agency. There is privately owned property that joins federal and state land. Be courteous. Very occasionally, a vehicle, power company or logging truck will pass.

If you decide to venture out, be sure to have a current map of the area. A Quadrangle Topographic Map Atlas is available by order on line from USFS Stanislaus National Forest Atlas for around $19. Google Earth is okay for a visual but quite often has mislabeled forest service route numbers.

This area abuts private property at a closed gate one direction from the parking area but provides the extra mileage for this ride. The trail connects with many trails to the north (Big Trees State Park) and to numerous other logging trails, abandoned rail beds, and forest service roads in the east direction to explore and to tack on more miles.

Directions: From Hwy 4 in Avery, turn east onto Moran Road. After the stop, go straight for 2.5 miles to Love Creek Road on the right. Turn here onto Love Creek Road and continue about two miles to Doud Landing Road. Take a right here. You'll find the road sign and information up on a tree.

Many of the connecting trails and forest service and logging roads were once Sugar Pine and West Side timber company railways between the late 1880's and up into the 1960's when all railway logging ceased operation. Commonly used engines and logging equipment can be seen at museums in Arnold at the Logging Museum, in Tuolumne City at the Logging Museum and Sugar Pine Engine Number 3 is parked the Tuolumne County Fairgrounds entrance.