Angels Camp is the perfect base camp to miles and miles of hiking and backpacking. Within minutes from Angels Camp is the beautiful New Melones Lake with miles and miles of year-round trails at all levels, such as Natural Bridges Trail and the Carson Creek Trail.  Big Trees State Park east of Arnold offers more year-round trails.  The Arnold Rim Trail offers numerous opportunities at elevations over 3,000 feet.  The Calaveras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest maintains 279 miles of hiking trails (143 in Wilderness, 136 non-Wilderness), offering anything from short, easy day hikes to strenuous, multi-day backpacking opportunities. Most of these trails are at high elevation (above 6,000 feet) and are accessible only during the summer and early fall months. Some of the most popular hikes are described below.