Ebbetts Pass, Angels Camp

Near Bear Valley lies Ebbetts Pass, which is perfect for horseback riding. There are miles and miles of dirt roads and wilderness trails, that crisscross the Ebbetts Pass region. There is a big variety of trails for horseback riders to choose, like from gentle, amble level dirt roads to scrambles up, steep mountain terrain, which can be really challenging.

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One of the most popular Equestrian Trails is Arnold Rim Trail, a 10.5 mi/16.9 km trail, which starts at White Pines Lake, west to Sheep Ranch Road, near Avery. It makes a great ride for equestrians and  follows San Antonio Creek, crossing from the north side to the south, approximately 2.5 mi/4 km south of White Pines Lake. Another path is Black Springs to Cabbage Patch, an 11 mi/17.7 km, one way route with only several hundred feet elevation.

When you reach 6700 ft/2042 m in elevation, the road is open even in mid May. Hermit Valley to Blue Lakes is another trail, which is an about 7 mi/11.3 km, one way ride on dirt road. The trail climbs up approximately 800 ft/244 m out of Hermit Valley and then easy drops to cross Deer Creek, at about 4 mi/6.4 km before climbing another 600 ft/183 m to Blue Lakes. Pacific Valley to Highland Lakes is a 10 mi/16 km, one way trail that climbs up to Highland Lakes.

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It starts at the Pacific Valley and ends at Blue Lakes. Another trail is Arnot Peak Loop, a 15 mi/24.1 km loop that starts at Arnot Peak, it takes you out along the Pacific Crest Trail and then into the Disaster Creek watershed, right before climbing back to Highland Lakes.

When you reach the summit near Golden Canyon, stop for a while and admire the breathtaking panoramic view. Last, Wolf Creek to Bull Lake is an 8.5 mi/13.7 km trail to Bull Lakes, that climbs from 6400 to 8800 ft/1951 to 2682 m near the lake.