By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Starts at the Mt. Tallac trailhead. The floating islands are alas just patches of grass floating in a pond which you can't even see move if it's not windy... but the views along the route are nice.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Not an impressive falls, but it's short hike and gives a chance to see Fallen Leaf Lake. I believe it's about 2 miles, but some sources say 5.3 -- there may be several trailheads.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

A coupleh miles of trails. Starting from the mines, going up the stairs, there's a mile loop with some good variety: views down the hill, an old building, a couple of aborted mines, and some forest. Then on the other side of the street by the stamp mill there's another mile or so. Steep but not difficult. Can be crowded at the base by the mines but there's not many people who go up the hill.

The self-guided audio tour of Gold Bug Mine is $12, but the Hendy Stamp Mill and the hiking trails are free.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

A nice set of waterfalls. The truckee river falls are very close to the parking, and there's another waterfall about halfway up the trail to echo summit. That last one can be a trail obstacle depending on season, you might need to hop across some rocks to cross it in the spring.

Oddly enough, the official Hawley Grade trail somewhat disappointed me (nice but just a typical mountain hike with one waterfall crossing, leading up to highway 50 at echo summit) -- but the unofficial part right near the parking more than made up for it. Just walk alongside the Upper Truckee River going straight up, and you get a whole series of great little waterfalls to yourself. I recommend it highly for that, moreso than for Hawley Grade itself. Best seen at peak snow melt in the late spring, of course.

I had some difficulty finding the official trail first time which is how I discovered the better trail. I don't remember exactly where I went "wrong" though... I think the official trail splits off away from the river very close to the parking?

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

A nice forested walk along Pyramid Creek leads up to a granite expanse that takes you -- somewhat confusingly -- to Horsetail Falls. Just try to stay near the creek to avoid losing the trail on the bare granite. Some people continue upward to the top of the falls, but that can be quite dangerous (some have died).

No shade after the initial section. Like anything at this elevation, not accessible in snowy season.

Parking lot is $5 but the highway has wide spots that are probably legally free.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

Lovely views. 8.5 mi full loop, or 5mi out and black to Sly Park Falls, or your choice of distance along the north side.

If you do the full loop, you'll have to walk along the street for a quarter mile at the start or end.

The waterfall is artificial and not always running, and can be nearly impossible to reach when it's snowy as the drifts pile up high in that area.

Parking options include the $11 boat ramp lot, $5 dirt parking along Mormon Emigrant by the plaque for a north side hike. By the second dam along Mormon Emigrant is best for a 5 mile out and back waterfall hike. Used to be some free visitor spots in the main lot but no longer.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

Pretty grasslands hike with some foresty spots. This is a network of many trails with no particular destination, just pick your path and pick your length. Most of it is relatively flat but there are hilly spots too. Sometimes the hunters can be annoying with their gunshots. Lots of geocaches out there.

Some say there's a loop trail down to the river, but it's overgrown and steep.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Technically this is in Placer county, but if you need free parking you can park in El Dorado county at the bottom of the canyon and walk across to Placer. Walk along Old Foresthill Road past the paid parking lot to find the trailhead. Excellent artificial waterfall at end of trail, featuring a perpetual rainbow. A popular trail, but it's wide enough that the popularity isn't bothersome.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

A nice loop. Couple miles. Often no people on the trail. Not especially scenic for Pollock Pines, though.

There's a dirt parking area that comes first along the road, which is good trail access... then the main big parking lot later has picnic tables and also good trail access.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017

Nice steep mostly-shaded trail to the top of the cliff. Fairly heavily trafficed. Wide, well-maintained trail. View from the top is well worth it.

When you see the sign for Camp Sacramento, follow the driveway to the lower parking lot near the archery range. (On a summer weekend this parking lot fills up so you may have to park across the street and walk in.) Walk up the road from there past the main lodge to the trailhead, which is nex to cabin #52.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

Parking is at the intersection of Meadow Brook and Bear Creek, which is a nexus of several trails. To find the Mar Det trail, walk up Bear Creek a little and it'll be on your left on the other side of the creek bridge. Click the website link for detailed trail map.

If you're looking for scenic overlook cliffs or waterfalls, this isn't your trail -- you're behind the trees and there's no water except the creek by the parking. If you're looking for a walk through the forest, though, it's beautiful. The way out is a pretty steady moderately steep uphill, so the way back is downhill (awkwardly but not dangerously so).

There are many forks, and at least one loop trail, but there's also plenty of signage to let you know which way to go to stay on Mar Det.

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By Paul on Nov 15, 2017 (Edited )

A trail that runs a few miles along a creek. Kind of busy and close to houses but nice shade and greenery with an interesting bridge at the end.

You can park along Harvard Way, or in the large empty parking lot of the community services distract at the corner of Harvard and El Dorado Hills Blvd. Here's the route on ramblr: https://www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/465099/3039490/

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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.

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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.

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