Guides
Enjoy a 2.3-mile hike in the hills above historical Coloma in Marshall Gold Discovery Historical State Park
This nice hike starts on the other side of Hwy 49 from the parking lot ($8 for day use) and is a nice introduction to some history of the area. The trail is fairly steep at the beginning but will soon level out and become more enjoyable. You can bring a lunch and stop at one of the two picnic tables along the trail to enjoy the views and listen...
1.1 mile trail near Lotus, California
This little gem of a trail highlights not only some of the wonderful flora of the area, but a little of the gold mining history as well.
Summer boating, fall colors, winter snowshoeing, and spring waterfalls make this El Dorado park enjoyable year round
The trails around Jenkinson Lake can be visited on horseback, mountain bike and foot. This guide, however, is going to focus on hiking. The full route, if you go all the way around, is just over 8 miles. With the continuous ups and downs it can feel like a lot further though. The total elevation change is insignificant but the small "whoopdedoos"...
Walk along the river where the historic railway once traveled and end up at a stunning amphitheater of carved limestone
This great hike along the Middle Fork of the American River ends in a spectacular amphitheater of sheer limestone walls rising around you. Enjoy the natural beauty of the American river canyon and also pass by an enormous cave that was the site of both paleontologic excavations and more mining activities. Learn about the plants and animals present...
2.1 mile trail near Auburn, California
(also near Sacramento, Cool, and Placerville)
This easy hike to Black Hole Of Calcutta Falls is about 2.1 miles round trip stroll located near Cool, California. The trail is great for walking and normally takes 1-3 hours. The trail is also used by an occasional horse and rider. Black Hole Of Calcutta Falls flows year-round. The waterfall can provide a respite from the sun. It's a nice place...
4.6 mile trail near Auburn, Placerville, and Sacramento, California
Lake Clementine Loop Via Trail & Unmarked Riverbank Route is about 4.6 miles long and located near Auburn, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours. This route take the easy trail from the Old Foresthill Bridge underneath the New Foresthill Bridge to the Lake Clementine dam. The return route is somewhat strenuous and...
Enjoy views of the Middle Fork American River Canyon on this easy walk across the historic arched cement bridge
This short walk brings you up to and then across the Mountain Quarries RailRoad Bridge, which was the longest concrete arch railroad bridge in the world when it was built in 1912. Enjoy great views of the Middle Fork American River Canyon and marvel at what was a fantastic feat of construction for its time. The triple span bridge was built by the...
Trips
This trail, on an old road, drops some 800ft in under a mile and a half to deliver you to the beautiful South Fork of the American River. Thanks to the American River Conservancy who acquired this land and turned it over to the BLM for public access.Parking is obvious and ample for several vehicles in a small parking lot right off the road.
The parking lot at Gold Discovery State Park was completely vacant, and there were no trail signs, which made getting started a bit difficult. After ending up at a junkyard and a dead end we finally managed to find the trailhead (it was well marked, a little further up the road).The 2.3-mile Monroe Trail was delightful and sprinkled with several nice picnic areas with some great views. Before we knew it we...
Dog walk along the paved El Dorado trail in Placerville
Motor City, California, United States
Hiking | 3.1 miles (2.9 miles away)
Hiking | 3.1 miles (2.9 miles away)
El Dorado trail west hike (Placerville)
Placerville, California, United States
Hiking | 0.0 miles (0.4 miles away)
Hiking | 0.0 miles (0.4 miles away)
El Dorado Trail east hike (Placerville)
Placerville, California, United States
Hiking | 6.8 miles (2.9 miles away)
Hiking | 6.8 miles (2.9 miles away)
Eric Peach was nice enough to lead us on an interpretive walk of the Quarry Trail in Auburn State Recreation Area. During this 3.5-mile round-trip hike he explained the history of the quarry and the area, native plants and wildlife, and answered our many questions about the Quarry and its history.
Robyn and Nia hike to Forebay lake
Pollock Pines, California, United States
Hiking | 0.0 miles (11.0 miles away)
Hiking | 0.0 miles (11.0 miles away)
Cronan Ranch hike - Coloma (one way)
Pilot Hill, California, United States
Hiking | 5.3 miles (11.1 miles away)
Hiking | 5.3 miles (11.1 miles away)
Morning was misty and the hills looked like an Irish country side. Trees glowed teal and the visibility a hundred feet. Later, the fog lifted and this made the hike back seem like we were in a different place altogether. As we returned to the parking lot at the end of the trip three paragliders launched from a distant hill and landed right in front of us. We cheered for them....
Training Hill Tr/Pig Farm Tr Loop
Auburn, California, United States
Hiking | 2.9 miles (18.2 miles away)
Hiking | 2.9 miles (18.2 miles away)
Steep climb up Training Hill Tr from American River Confluence towards Cool. Pig Farm Tr is an easy down hill finish to this loop.
Miwok trail inside Sly Park
Lakewood Sierra, California, United States
Hiking | 0.5 miles (12.9 miles away)
Hiking | 0.5 miles (12.9 miles away)
3/4 mile interpretive trail near Pollock Pines, California.
