Marshes Flat Road, the scenic route connecting the communities of Moccasin and Don Pedro, once was the 1850s escape route of the famous outlaw Joaquín Murieta. Murieta and his gang of riders traveled this route to reach their hangouts in Marsh’s Flat and the now submerged Tuolumne River town of Indian Bar. Marsh’s Flat was remote enough to hide an outlaw in the 1850’s and has not lost its remote character today. Just south of the town of Moccasin, Marshes Flat Road exits right off of Hwy. 49 and immediately begins to climb. When you reach the top of the grade, you exit out into a rolling, open Oak and Grassland plateau and instantly feel like you have gone back in time. With the exception of the paved road you are on, a few cattle guards and an old home and barn in the distance, there are no other signs of modern civilization for several miles. The road eventually descends along the Hatch Creek drainage with quite a few twists and turns providing scenic vistas and passing by small waterfalls along the way. The road is narrow and cattle range free along the entire route, so take it slow, enjoy the ride and always be prepared to stop for slow moving livestock.

Length of Byway or Route: approximately 9 miles

Take Hwy. 120 east towards Yosemite National Park, turn right and head south on Hwy 49, drive approximately 1/4 mile past the exit for the town of Moccasin, passing Moccasin Reservoir then turn right onto Marshes Flat Rd. Uphill grade begins immediately.

Historical route with scenic vistas, open rangeland, waterfalls and a remote back in time flavor.