Touring *

From U.S. 99 north of downtown Modesto, take the Standiford Exit east. Immediately turn right on Sisk Road and park in one of the shopping center lots on the first block. You'll see the power lines overhead and the start of the trail across the street.

Thus far, the Hetch Hetchy Bike Trail is not much more than a promise--a short stretch of asphalt so new that the nearby trees are still saplings. The nicely paved trail curves about under the Hetch Hetchy project power lines, through an apartment complex, and behind homes in a clean, fairly nice section of Modesto. Miniature stop signs mark the intersections, some of them with major streets, so make sure you have good stopping skills, and look both ways before you cross. Extended another mile or two, this trail could be a major asset to the city.