Hite Cove Trail

John Hite discovered gold here in the 1860s, near a wide place (cove) in the narrow canyon of the Merced River's South Fork, but today's gold-seekers come looking for the color of California poppies and other spring wildflowers that line the 4.5-mile Hite Cove Trail hiking path overlooking the river.

With the hillside covered in up to 60 varieties of wilflowers, some people say the Hite Cove Trail is the best wildflower hike in all of California.

Depending on your inclination, you'll log pictures per mile or miles per hour on the Hite Cove Trail. You'll find plenty of flowers within the first mile of the trail, generally blooming from March through May. I logged over 50 "keeper" images in just two hours along that mile, and you can see a selection of them in the Hite Cove Trail photo gallery.

If you're headed for Hite Cove Trail just to see the flowers, you can check their status online before you go.

Hiking the Hite Cove Trail

The Hite Cove Trail is a 4.5-mile hike in each direction, an out-and-back trail. The path is well-maintained, hugging the hillside. It's wide enough to walk on comfortably, but with the downhill dropoff ending in the Merced River, it's not a place for the inattentive or for horseplay.

Hite Cove Trail is doable for anyone in moderately good physical condition, with a couple of somewhat steep sections and a few small stream crossings in wet weather. You may find hiking poles helpful on the steep sections. Photographers may find a hiking pole that doubles as a monopod especially useful.

If you're heading to the mountains especially to view and enjoy the wildflowers along the Hite Cove Trail, you can stay right at the trailhead. We recommend the Yosemite Resort Homes, which are located on the banks of the Merced River, just a few steps from the beginning of the Hite Cove Trail.

Hite Cove Trail Tips

• Much of the Hite Cove Trail is in the open, so you'll need a hat and plenty of water.

• Take some food along so you can take your time and enjoy the views.

• Avoid poison oak growing along the trail, and take precautions to prevent tick bites (which can carry Lyme disease).

• The first section of the trail is on private property, so please be respectful and keep the Hite Cove Trail open for everyone.

• Because the path goes straight in and out, you can manage without a map.

• Bicycles and horses are not allowed on the Hite Cove Trail, but dogs on a leash are.

• Many artifacts and pieces of old mining equipment can be found along the Hite Cove Trail, but remember that it is illegal to remove or disturb them.

Getting to Hike Cove Trail

Hite Cove Trail starts at Hwy 140 east of Mariposa, near where the highway crosses the Merced River at Savage's Trading Post. Park on side of road nearest the river. The well-marked trail goes uphill from the highway.