California · Hiking

Double "S"

1.5 mi
round trip
580 ft
climb
4,674 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Double "S" open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Double "S", so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Double "S" is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.5 miles in the Mi-Wok Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 580 feet from a low point of roughly 4,064 feet to a high of about 4,674 feet. The route is natural-surface and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The climb is gentle, and the trail is short enough to fit into a day of exploring the surrounding area. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Cherry Valley Dam weather station show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 70°F, while July and August average highs near 89°F. The North Fork Tuolumne River, about a mile away, offers canoeing, and the Highway 108 Corridor has river fishing. Climbers can head to Roadside Rocks, and the North Fork Interperative hike is about 1.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Double "S"

    Best months: May–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 37°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      70° / 44°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 58°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 57°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 36°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      49° / 31°

      9 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cherry Valley Dam, CA, 14 mi away at 4,765 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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