American River Parkway
California Fall Color’s Hike/Bike of the Week is the American River Parkway. This 32-mile national recreation trail travels from Old Sacramento, downtown, east to Folsom.
There is not a profusion of fall color along the trail, but what is there is beautiful. Presently, California grape (Vitis californica) are Near Peak and Frémont cottonwood are Patchy.
Occasional bold splashes of color are seen along the route, though it is the sheer beauty of the trail, which meanders beside the American River, which makes it prime to bicycle or hike. Officially called the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, the multi-use path is used by eight million visitors annually, making it one of the most popularly used recreation trails in North America.
All of the trail is fairly flat and easy walking or riding. Among the best sections of trail are from the Guy West Bridge at Sacramento State University, west to Folsom. Good starting points are Guy West, William Pond Recreation Area, River Bend Park, Hagen Park, Lower Sunrise, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Negro Bar SRA and historic downtown Folsom. Expect to pay for parking, except at the hatchery. A great ride is the 12-mile Lake Natoma Loop which travels from the Fish Hatchery east to Folsom and back, looping Lake Natoma with several historic sites along the way.
A favorite stopping point is Historic Downtown Folsom, with its many great restaurants (Karen’s Bakery is a popular stop for cyclists), interesting shops, authentic gold rush era architecture and several historic sites. E-bikes can be rented at the parking garage in Folsom, if you don’t own or can’t transport a bike.
Near Hazel Blvd in Rancho Cordova, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery just opened a new fish ladder which is an ideal place to see salmon spawning. Walk to where the fish ladder leaves the American River (bottom picture). There, hundreds of huge king salmon await their moment to run upstream and swim past spectators (watching them through picture windows) on their way to the hatchery. Inside the hatchery are interactive, museum-quality exhibits on the life of the salmon.
- American River Parkway (89′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10 – 75%), Go Now.
Citrus Salad
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“It is not too late to see the citrus salad colors we love so much near the southern shore of Lake Tahoe. GO NOW!.” Michelle Pontoni writes.
After this site had written off Lake Tahoe as Past Peak, Michelle send this report. She and Ron spent late Sunday afternoon on bikes, “enjoying some of the final color on the Lam Watah Historic Trail off Kahle Road (Stateline, NV). We found flaming orange aspen tops with yet a bit of lime and lemon nearer the ground. Most of the foliage is still hanging on in one of the groves. This is an easy trail for visitors and families with dogs, too.”
On this recommendation, CaliforniaFallColor.com is declaring the Lam Watah Nature Trail the Bike of the Week.
She warns, however, the next few days are likely the last chance to see such beauty at Tahoe, as “a cold, windy weekend is approaching, with possibly a hint of snow coming Friday evening, so Saturday could be an opportunity to see fall and winter overlap.”
That is an excellent point. Snow on fall color is gorgeous. If you’ve ever hoped to catch such a scene, head to Lake Tahoe to be there Saturday morning.
You’ll find this grove by driving east on US 50 into Nevada from South Lake Tahoe a mile to Kahle Road. Turn left into the parking lot.
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Be there just as the snow storm ends and clouds break to get the best photos of snow and aspen color, then send them to us to share with those who’ll be kicking themselves for having stayed warm and cozy inside.
- Lam Watah Historic Trail, Stateline, NV (6,275′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
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