Boasting stupendous views and plenty of fresh air, the trail that takes you from Twain Harte to Lyons Reservoir is one of the best dam hikes around—see what we did there? Not only will hikers follow a historic railroad grade on this 10-mile adventure, but they’ll even get the opportunity to walk across Lyons Dam for a spectacular vantage point of the reservoir. Best of all, this trail is wide, flat, and easy, making it the perfect option for your next outdoor excursion!
Walk across a dam and witness incredible views when you take on the hike from Twain Harte to Lyons Reservoir in Northern California. There's a lot to love about this easygoing hike, so definitely add it to your bucket list of adventures!
The start of the trail can be found near Twain Harte, on the east side of Confidence South Fork Road. You can click here to see the full trail map. Alternatively, you can start at Lyons Reservoir where there is a parking area and restroom.
The 10-mile out-and-back trail is definitely a longer trek, but its wide and flat nature has made it popular among casual hikers and families. You'll want to reserve several hours if you plan on completing the entire thing but it's definitely worth it.
Built upon an abandoned railroad grade, you can't help but love this trail from the start. Winding through conifer forests and treating hikers to sweeping views of the surrounding scenery, you can bet there are plenty of photo-ops to take advantage of along the way.
Of course, the highlight of this trail is the portion that crosses Lyons Dam. You can actually walk right across the top of the dam. Surrounded by the beauty of the Stanislaus National Forest and Lyons Reservoir, the view from the dam is absolutely amazing.
Constructed in 1930 by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the concrete dam is 535-feet at its crest and stands 132-feet tall. Take your time crossing the bridge and breathing in that fresh mountain air. There's no better feeling in the world!
You can even take the stairs to get down to the bottom of the dam where you can explore even further. For an easy and fun hike that's bound to make an impression, the trail from Twain Hart to Lyons Reservoir definitely delivers. Check it out soon and enjoy the view!
What do you think? Are you ready to take on the Lyons Dam hike? This is definitely a unique trail, that’s for sure. Share your thoughts with us on this awesome trail in the comments below!
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