El Dorado Trail
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.
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 (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.
