Road 53 to Pierce Canyon Fall

Want to take your fur buddy for a long hike through the countryside? Try the Road 53 Trail to Pierce Canyon Falls in California. This trail is unique because it's the only county road which heads into the Blue Ridge Peak area. It's not the easiest of tracks to hike, nor does it have the most accessible trailhead, but the trek will repay all your efforts.

To get to the trailhead, you can park at the post office in Guinda. Put your pup's leash on, and you'll be ready to hit the road. You'll need to walk along Forest Avenue, which is really part of Road 53, in the direction of the mountains until the paving ends and you encounter a gate with a no entry sign. Don't be put off by the signage. The land is privately owned, but Road 53 is a public right of way, and you are allowed to hike it with your dog. Don't forget to close the gate securely once you're through it. If not you'll be practicing your cowboy skills and rounding up escaped livestock.

Road 53 is a super scenic hike from the moment you hit the trailhead. You and your fur buddy will be trekking the winding trail through the steep cliffsides of Pierce Canyon following the route of a creek edged with oak trees. There's a stunning view of Pierce Canyon Falls about three miles into the trail, and if you don't want to do the full out and back hike, that's a good spot to turn around. From the falls viewpoint, the trail then heads into the hills for around a mile and a half more before the public right of way terminates. The end of the trail is signposted, and you can't legally continue further, so when you and your hiking fur buddy reach that point, it's time to head back. Don't forget to take water, protein bars, and clean up bags. Have a pawsome hike on Road 53 with your pup!