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El Dorado Trail

El Dorado Trail, Placerville (11/23/22) John Poimiroo

The El Dorado Trail is one of two great multi-use trails in the greater Sacramento region. It, and the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail on the American River Parkway serve over eight million recreational users, annually.

On Thanksgiving Day, both trails will be busy with walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters along their 69 miles of paved Class I and dirt track. Presently the trails are Peak to Past Peak, with black oak, bigleaf maple and (along the river) Frémont cottonwood and California walnut carrying peak orange, yellow and gold leaves. An occasional bush provides an intense flash of vermillion.

 

El Dorado Trail, Placerville (11/23/22) John Poimiroo
Snakehead Rock, El Dorado Trail, Placerville (11/23/22) John Poimiroo
Weber Creek Bridge, Placerville (11/23/22) John Poimiroo

The El Dorado Trail travels 37 miles along an old railroad route from Folsom east to Camino, passing through historic downtown Placerville. Approximately 13 miles of the route is paved Class I bike path (El Dorado to Camino). The rest is unimproved dirt path.

Points of Interest along the El Dorado Trail, include the Gold Rush town of El Dorado, bucolic ranches, a tourist railroad, cat hill – populated by dozens of feral felines, the Weber Creek Bridge on which lovers attach locks engraved with their initials, historic downtown Placerville, an old railroad tunnel, bicycle overcrossing of US 50 and a six-mile climb up a 6% grade. 

The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail parallels the American River for 32 miles on Class I paved bike path from Old Sacramento east to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Additional hiking trails are available. Its points of interest include Old Sacramento, American River riparian habitats, a path trod by trapper/explorer Jedediah Smith, views of river rafters, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, the Lake Natoma Loop, historic downtown Folsom, the Johnny Cash Art Trail, Folsom Dam and Folsom Lake.

Due to their exceptional recreational experience and fall color, the El Dorado and Jedidiah Smith Memorial trails are declared Thanksgiving Week’s California Fall Color Bike/Hike of the Week.

El Dorado Trail, Camino (11/23/22) John Poimiroo
  • El Dorado Trail (2,000′) – PEAK to Past Peak, GO NOW, You almost missed it.
  • Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (200′) – PEAK to Past Peak, GO NOW, You almost missed it.
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American River Parkway

California grape, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

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.

California grape, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

Frémont cottonwood, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

California grape, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

California grape, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

California grape, American River Parkway, Folsom (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

King salmon, Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Rancho Cordova (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Rancho Cordova (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Rancho Cordova (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

 

Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Rancho Cordova (11/4/21) John Poimiroo

  • American River Parkway (89′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10 – 75%), Go Now.

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Citrus Salad

Lam Watah Historic Trail, Stateline, NV (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni

“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.

  • Lam Watah Nature Trail, Stateline, NV (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lam Watah Nature Trail, Stateline, NV (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lam Watah Nature Trail, Stateline, NV (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lam Watah Nature Trail, Stateline, NV (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni

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.

Lovin’ Lam Watah, Stateline (11/1/20) Michelle Pontoni

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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