Springtime is bloomtime in the foothills
The Red Hills offers unique serpentine dependent species
Red Hills
This special area is found off of Highway 49 just southwest of Chinese Camp. Known for its diverse range of unique species of plants and animals that are tied to the serpentine mineral content in the soil, this Bureau of Land Management (BLM) area has over 17 miles of hiking/biking trails to enjoy.
The wildflower season in the Red Hills is consistently impressive this time of year, so put a visit to this destination on your list.
Westside Rail Trail
Accessed off Buchanan Road in Tuolumne City, this old railroad grade-turned walking trail is an excellent low-key option for enjoying spring wildflowers with minimal effort. You can follow the fairly flat trail out from the trailhead for as far as 5 miles, and the rocky hillside slopes along the trail provides great habitat for a diversity of flowers.