MotoTherapy Directions to Dear Creek OHV

Deer Creek OHV, also known as Twain Harte, is located outside of Twain Harte, Ca, which is located off HWY 108, just east of Sonora. Nearby are the South Fork of the Stanislaus River and Lyons Lake.  There are no improvements at this site, save a posted map and forest information at the staging area.  As indicated, the Deer Creek staging area is located at a small creek that probably dries up during the summer.  

• HWY 108 can be reached via HWY 120 from the I-5 just north of Tracy.  HWY 120 and HWY 108 join in Oakdale and split just west of Jamestown.
• So, from I-5 north of Tracy, take 120 East to Oakdale.  In Oakdale, this highway turns into the main drag in town, and will require a left turn at a stoplight (F street) along the way.  The signage is very clear.  Follow 108/120 East, into the mountains.
• HWY 108 and HWY 120 split at the right turnoff to Yosemite.  Don't turn, stay on the 108.
• HWY 108 will go through Jamestown.  This is a very historic one street town that came up in the Gold Rush.  Although 108 takes you around this tiny town, you can simply veer right into downtown, cruise the strip, and merge back in with the 108 just a half mile up the road.  Veer right as you start to see town, before the Chevron.  Worth the look.
• HWY 108 will continue through the town of Sonora, another historic town, though much bigger.  The 108 is now a bypass around Sonora, though 15 years ago the original highway went into town, intersected with HWY 49, and then went back out of town.  A nice 10 minute drive to see this old town may be worth your time, not to mention a definite last stop for any moto supplies.  If Sonora is in the cards, then take the right toward 49 a couple miles after Jamestown, then follow the signs to 108 E all the way through town.  If not, then pass right by the 49, and just go straight, following the signs for 108 E.
• Twain Harte will be a left turn off HWY 108 about 10 miles east of Sonora. The road that the town is on, Twain Harte Dr, meets with HWY 108 in two places.  Either way will take you to town, though these directions are assuming you take the first left into town, also called the HWY 108 "Business Loop".  So, take the first left into Twain Harte.
• Continue toward town until you see the arche with the town name on it. It's right after the 7-11.
• As you go under the arche, the road bends to the left, and this is town.  Within a quarter mile, there is a stop sign.  Go straight onto Joaquin Gully Rd.  As you follow this road, it turns into Middle Camp Road. So, from the stop sign in town, go 1.1 miles on on that road until you reach South Fork Road.  Along the way, you will pass roads called Mountain Rd, Mt. Elizabeth Rd, and Kit Carson Rd.
• Go left on South Fork Road.  Go 0.9 mile and you will reach a split in the road.  Go left at the split toward South Fork Road, and not the right toward Confidence South Fork Road.  I don't know what they were thinking naming these roads.
• Follow this road, and it will quickly turn into a dirt road.  About 3 miles up, you will cross a bridge over the South Fork Stanislaus River.
• Make a hard left immediately after the bridge, and follow this road about 3.2 miles to the staging area.  This is a rough road, and it does suck, but is worth the hassle.