California · Hiking

North Fork Interperative

North Fork InterperativePhoto: jack_piter, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.6 mi
round trip
476 ft
climb
4,861 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is North Fork Interperative open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name North Fork Interperative, 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.

North Fork Interperative is an out-and-back hike on natural trail in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Mi-Wok Ranger District. The trail is about 1.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 476 feet from its low point at 4,383 feet to a high of 4,861 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated easy. The trail works for a short outing, and it is open year round. Riders and horseback riders are both allowed. Snow is common from November through March, so plan for it in winter. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or fall. Typical averages from the Cherry Valley Dam weather station, about 13.6 miles away at a similar elevation, show May highs near 70°F with lows around 44°F, and October highs near 70°F with lows around 44°F. Midsummer averages climb to about 89°F. Several other trails start close by, including the 3N01-SNOW TRAIL about 0.6 miles away and the Double "S" at 1.7 miles. Paddlers can reach the North Fork Tuolumne River about 2.1 miles off, and climbers will find Beached Whale Boulders roughly 2.6 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit North Fork Interperative

    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, 13.6 mi away at 4,765 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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