California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Rushing Meadow

Rushing MeadowPhoto: RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.5 mi
round trip
394 ft
climb
5,449 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Rushing Meadow open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Rushing Meadow, 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.

Rushing Meadow is an easy 1.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Mi-Wok Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 394 feet from a low point of 5,030 feet to a high of 5,449 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Calaveras Big Trees show July highs around 81°F with lows near 56°F and only about one wet day in the month. That station sits roughly 750 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. The South Fork Stanislaus River, a canoeing route, lies just 0.3 miles away. Circle is a hike about 1.7 miles off, and Fraser Flat campground is about 2.7 miles away. Sand Bar Flat campground is about 4.1 miles away.

Around this trail

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Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Rushing Meadow

    Best months: May–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

      45° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 30°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 32°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 35°

      8 wet

    5. May

      63° / 42°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 49°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 56°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 55°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 51°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 43°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 34°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Calaveras Big Trees, CA, 14.6 mi away at 4,695 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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