By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

Beautiful forest dipping down 800 feet in less than a mile to the river at a location with great skipping stones. Half hour down, hour or two back up. The terrain isn't technically difficult -- no rock climbing and it's a very wide trail (used to be a road) -- but it sure is exhausting going up. In the rainy season there are a lot of miniature waterfalls.

The old flume itself isn't that interesting -- just overgrown rock walls -- but the views on the rest of the trail are great. You can walk along the flume a bit but it quickly becomes overgrown.

Crowded on weekends, parking lot will fill midday on summer weekends, okay on weekdays.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

A pleasant loop along the river with the foundations of an old town. Winds through grass and forest. Parts of the trail (mainly the part from the river to the lower (paid) parking lot) can get very overgrown and become difficult due to thistle and stickers.

Park at Falcon Crest Trail lot. If you park in the free gravel upper lot, recommend walking down the street from there to the lower (paid) lot so that you don't have to finish your hike with a long uphill. You'll come out on the other side of the upper gravel lot at the end.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

$10 for the official parking lot, or free parking on the side of the highway if you go down a bit toward the confluence and don't mind a walk back.

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

This is part of the Pine Hill Preserve's Cameron Park Unit. Features a pond, some forest and grassland. Park in the Rasmussen Park lot, then walk the loop trail to the back of the park. There are two openings in the fence near the back left corner offering ways into preserve.

Here's a 2.5 mile loop option featuring a pond: https://www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/465099/1925275/ . That whole section is apparently not actually in the preserve and is in danger of being sold and developed, please see https://rescuerasmussenpond.com/ to learn how to help save it.

You can also make this into an 8.4 mile route: https://www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/465099/1494432/ . Note the 8.4 mile route requires going onto sidewalks for a little bit until the proper trail resumes on the other side of Meder Road, but it pays off with some outstanding views when you get to the ridge top.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

Great views across the valley to the coast range abound. 17 miles of trails in all, but about half a mile up the hill will get you a great view. Some trail combos can be used to make loops. Village Green Park at the base has a pretty artifical lake and waterfall along with a stream and pond.

The big downside of these trails in the summer is there's almost no shade. They've planted trees to work on that, but it could be a few decades.

There's a Serrano Trails map available at the EDH California Welcome Center.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

This eastward-bound trail starts at the back of the Skunk Hollow parking lot. It rises high above the river and winds along about 15 miles until it connects with Cronan Ranch trails. Choose whatever length of hike you like, there's nice views from the start and no particular destination of note. A lot of good geocaches along this trail. Maintained by the American River Conservancy.

$10 paid parking lot, or free gravel parking across the bridge or other gravel pullouts (which will probably fill up really early on summer weekends).

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

A nice little trail starting from a nexus of trails in Garden Valley. Informational signs at the trailhead talk about the geology and serpentine rocks. Trail goes generally along creek, sometimes above.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Part of Pine Hill Preserve. Large trailset winds up the hill to The Enlightenment Bench geocache, which has a very nice view. Small seasonal waterfall/creek. Numerous side trails.

No official parking, and no parking on the street where the trail starts, so gotta find somewhere in the neighborhood for street parking and walk back.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Many forks to choose from. Features several decaying cars, some furnature, lots of manzinita, with a lovely clearing at the La Canada end which is an alternate entrance. All part of Pine Hill Preserve.

Street parking at end of Virada.

Read Full Article

By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

A not-particularly-exciting reservoir with a decent trail. It becomes difficult to tell where the trail becomes private proeprty though and the trail does not seem to lead all the way around the lake nor to the dam. So that leaves it a little short, probably a couple miles. Does feature a nice car wreck.

Park at the turnout area on Snows Road, then walk past the gate onto Weber Reservoir Road (dirt road with no non-EID traffic).

Read Full Article