Favorite Day Hikes, pictured at left ~
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir:
A twenty minute drive and nine miles away, is the O'Shaughnessy Dam, San Francisco's gigantic dam and water supply. There is a two mile hike on marked trails to Wampama Waterfalls. Sunrise Peak and Inspiration Point are favorite spots for views of Hetch Hetchy Valley and the deep Tuolumne River gorge.
Fishing:
Try your luck in the Tuolumne River, South and Middle Forks of the Tuolumne, Cottonwood Creek and along the shores of Hetch Hetchy. California Trout License required.
Rainbow Falls:
20 minutes back down Highway 120, just after the signs for Cherry Lake and San Jose's camp, and after crossing the bridge over the gorge, make an immediate left onto a small gravel road to wind down to Rainbow Falls. Great swimming and high dives are the specialty. In the '40's there was a restaurant and bar here, but their foundations remain.
TRAIL RIDES - TRAIL MAP:
The Barnes Family has operated Mather Saddle + Pack Station for 75 years and is a terrific source of information about the area. There is a map on their website.
Gold Rush Country:
The historic gold rush towns of Sonora, Columbia and Angels Camp, home of the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest, are within easy driving distance of Mather when you follow Highway 49.
Groveland:
You will pass through Groveland on Highway 120 coming and going from camp - there is a handful of restaurants, some fantastic hiking and mountain biking opportunities and little "mom+pop" shops.
- The Groveland Hotel sometimes hosts Live Theatre in their Garden Courtyard, featuring family-friendly performances
- Saturday evenings at sundown there are family movies in the park sponsored by a local non-profit group
- The Iron Door Saloon frequently has outstanding Live Music
- Mountain Sage has 'Art in the Garden' on Sunday afternoons, which frequently includes live music, face painting, and local artists
ROSY GRANITE POOLS, left
Formerly a secret destination, Rosy Granite Pools, also known as The Secret Cove, was added to the Camp Mather activity schedule by Naturalist Mishwa Lee in 2006. 2007 has found more campers loving this hike.
From camper Jeff Vidali's guestbook entry:
"There is a great hike my family took to Rosy Granite Pools. From the office, drive on Cherry Lake Rd. away from camp about 2.3 miles. On the left is a fire road you take down to the river. Park in the lot at 2.6 mi. and walk 100yrds back to the fire road. Go down road, approx 25min., cross the river on a fallen tree, and follow the trail until it ends at 4 pools complete with waterfalls. The kids had a ball. A very easy hike, about 45min to get there."
is right "next door"!! Click here for more information. The splendor of Yosemite National Park can be found just 27 miles and a 45 minute drive away in the Yosemite Valley. Here within seven square miles are the spectacular Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls and the sculptured beauty of El Capitan and Half Dome.
A leisurely hour's ride from Mather over the Tioga Pass Road and through the Yosemite High Camps brings one to the exquisite Tuolumne Meadows. A walk through this natural alpine garden, at 8600 feet of elevation, makes a delightful day excursion-an unforgettable odyssey along sparkling streams, glistening lakes and mountain wildflowers.
Half day and full day trips to some of the most spectacular scenery in the High Sierra are easily reached by car or bike from Camp Mather.
Clear lakes, mountain streams and quiet forest surround Camp Mather. Fishing is plentiful in the nearby streams and lakes. There are miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails, all at their scenic best. Located approximately 180 miles east of San Francisco, Mather is situated on the rim of the Tuolumne River gorge at an elevation of 4520 feet.
The hike to Early Intake - 20 minutes by car and about an hour hike upstream from Preston Flat - depending on age and fitness level. It gets hot, so go in the early morning, wear hats, or carry a parasol - and be sure to bring lots of drinking water and
a bag lunch ordered the night before at dinner.
