El Dorado Trail from Jacquier Road in Placerville

This is the first paved eastern section of the El Dorado Trail, designated for multiple uses including joggers, bicycles, dogs walking their people, and equestrians.  It is wheelchair and stroller accessible!

Hike through the Placerville hills with views of
vineyards, farms, a lake, rolling hills, and mountains. 

Distance: I hiked about 6 miles on this stretch of trail.

Difficulty:  It's up to you, but easy if you are simply taking a walk.  Put all the energy you want into it though, bicycling or jogging.

Important Notes: 

• There is poison oak along the side of the trail so before you step off of the pavement, double check the plants!
• Carry water.  It gets hot (in the 90's this month).
• Always watch for rattlesnakes.
• Sunscreen is advisable.  Perhaps a hat and sunglasses, too.
• Two vault toilets available next to the parking area.

This parking lot has an exercise and stretching area for warm ups.
 It is large and designed to accommodate horse trailers.

Driving Directions:  Take Exit 49 off of Highway 50 in Placerville, CA, toward Point View Drive. Go north (under the freeway if you were heading east) and turn right into the El Dorado Trail parking (most suitable for horse trailers).

Enjoy the photos of The El Dorado Trail views: ( I recommend clicking on the first photo and then scrolling through.)

I tried to find access to the eastern end of the trail to no avail. It should be around the Camino Road area but it was all fenced private property.  My idea was to walk the entire length, described in various literature, in sections.  If you know more, please post a note on my Google+ page!

Look out for the poison oak which is turning red, is full and healthy, 
and growing right alongside the pavement!

Below are some of the wildflowers that are still in bloom along the way, 

despite this heat and drought, to brighten your day!

Thank you for taking the time to enjoy the displays of color, and just think, you don't have to pull weeds in a garden to enjoy the display!

Please refrain from picking any of these wild gems.  They are having a hard time with drought and need to be allowed to reproduce in such adverse conditions.

Still in bloom in June: monkey faces, bachelors buttons, blackberry blossoms,  gum plants, mustard, peas, chicory, morning-glories, dog fennel, Williams clarkia, and some unidentified ones.

This trail is located with parking conveniently near the freeway, and close to businesses in Placerville. This section is less shaded than the other two I have written about, but has better views.  I recommend getting an earlier start during the summer months for the best wrokouts and most pleasure.  You don't travel through any part of town although you do hear the freeway noise at times.  The hills are good for conditioning and lend to the "getting away from it all" feeling.

El Dorado Trail Chapter 2
El Dorado Trail Chapter 3

For more trails, see Trails By Location.

Happy Trails!

El Dorado Trail Chapter 2

Bikes, strollers, runners, dogs, equestrians, 

and hikers welcome.

El Dorado Trail 6-2014

This section runs from the quaint "Placerville Station" to the parking 

at Jacquier and Highway 50.  

Placerville Station

Distance: 4.5 miles of wheelchair and stroller accessible trail.
Elevation Change: About 900 feet.
Difficulty:  Easy- to as hard as you make it. This section is all paved and hills are very long, and not too steep.  By taking the trail westward of Jacquier parking you will have to go uphill on the return trip.  You can park at the Placerville Station at Mosquito Rd and Highway 50.
Driving Directions:
To the Placerville Station: Take Highway 50 to Mosquito Rd exit.  You will find the Station east of the freeway, on your left. There is a massive parking there.  The trail heads south into town or cross at Clay Street and head in an easterly direction
El Dorado Trail Parking: Take Exit 49 toward Point View Drive.  Go east and you can park alongside the road in marked parking spots or go a little further and turn in tot he El Dorado Trail parking (most suitable for horse trailers).
Other Notes:  At the Placerville Station I understand there are restrooms, and in the Jacquier Parking there are two vault toilets.

El Dorado Trail parking on Jacquier Rd. in Placerville, CA.

On the down side, along the way, there is heavy road noise at times.

This winding paved trail meanders through the sun and shade with inviting benches stationed every so often for travelers to soak in the wildflowers colors and the enjoy the outdoors.

Clarkia and Tincture Plant

Among  the wildflowers, be beware of poison oak; it lines some areas of the trail.

Gumplant

Himalayan blackberries with pink blooms.

Pink blackberry blossoms, gumplants, and a variety of other plants are blooming on this 90 degree day, in a drought, and cheer the weary into actviity.

Tincture Plant

Other wildflowers in bloom included brodiaea, vetch, groundsel, 

arnica, thistles, Jepson's pea (above), and more!

These In Memory plaques are placed alongside the trail. 

El Dorado Trail taken June of 2014.

Happy Trails!
For more trails near this area, check out Trails by Locations.

Historic Independence Trail, CA ~ Wheelchair Accessible

Take a hike! Independence Trail near Nevada City is a dirt wheelchair and stroller accessible trail. Then, a waterfall!

DIRECTIONS:  Take Highway 49 north of Nevada City, CA to the parking shown below.  (Estimates are 5-8 miles out of Nevada City.)  South Yuba River State Park manages this area and provides a map online.  From Sacramento allow about 1 1/2 hours each way.
Difficulty:  Easy to moderate based on whether you stay on the main trail or head down to the swimming holes.
The trail is well marked so no GPS tracks are necessary, although sites do have several peoples' tracks loaded.

There are handicapped parking spots marked.

At the trail head, there are wheelchair accessible vault toilets.  Turn to the right for this hike to the waterfalls and swimming holes described in this post.  It will lead you under the highway through a tunnel that is too short to stand upright in. 

I chose to go down this Jones Bar spur on the right to see the creek, river, and swimming holes I have read about.  It is not stroller or wheelchair friendly, but is a great short, although steep hike if you came to picnic and swim.

You might endure a brief hot, sunny, section but most of it is shady on your way down, less than one mile, to the water.

This was my first, disheartening, sight of the water.  Nearly dry this year.

The previous photo was taken from this bridge.  I suggest you cross it (although there is a wide looking trail before the bridge, it is harder to get to the swimming holes from it) then take the trail on your right that is scarcely wider than a deer path.  Trust me.

It forks so take the left option and you will find this entrance to two very large and deep, perfect, adjacent swimming holes.  Do be prepared to avoid poison oak!  All of the warnings expected such as: don't dive from rocks, kids need life vests, no glass containers, and so on apply.

There are some sandy areas and lots of giant rocks to sun on.

 If you either skip the spur mentioned or return to the main trail, you are treated to excellent resting places, all accessible.  In days gone by, restrooms were stationed along the trail with wheelchair accessibility, but they are no longer maintained and are boarded up.

Continue along the trail and flumes.  The trail is mostly divided for strollers and wheelchairs on a lower level along the old flume, and the upper more narrow strip is for hikers.  There are rustic benches along the way too, some with distant views and others are places to take time to breathe in the forest and soak in the peace.

Visitors are soon rewarded with this open view of the flume in a horseshoe shape curving around

the canyon wall. The creek is gurgling pleasantly far below. Some people get squeamish here,

so maybe avoid looking down.  It is all in good repair at this time and you can't fall unless you

climb the rails and topple over. To your left will be a wooden flume traversing the canyon wall down

 to the waterfall and creek.

Small benches to rest on and absorb the views and nature are stationed here and there.  At

the bottom you can refresh with a splash or two from the creek.  And by the way, I met hikers

with dogs, all leashed and picked up after.  It was a pleasant outing for all.

I met Georgie there, a well behaved rescue who you can read about here.

This is part of the Rush Creek Falls that normally drops in a series of cascades,

the longest being a double tier falling 50 feet under the flume bridge overhead.

After a snack, splashes, and rest, I resumed hiking the trail around the bend. 

Often the trees are too tall and thick for views but I took in this gratifying view...

and nearly stepped on....

this wildlife surprise!

I decided to turn back at this point because the trail was less maintained. 

But this lone bright lily stood out!

A small reward for having continued!

This is an out and back trail I highly recommend.

In addition, check out the

Independence Trail Herb Walks

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $20 prepaid or $35/both walks, prepaid. $25 at walk if space, but walks limited to 16 people so usually fill. Must pre-register via email, mail or phone; mail payment to secure place. Confirmation and directions 4 days in advance (payment refundable till then). Kids free, but number limited; teens half price. Rain cancels. checks/MO to Kathi Keville at: Oak Valley Herb Farm, PO Box 2482, Nevada City, CA 95959 530-274-3140 www.ahaherb.com HERB WALKS ...a botanical adventure with herbalist and author Kathi Keville.  Her 40+ years of herbal knowledge shines through energetic discussions about their science, lore and edible, medicinal, and other uses, and how to identify, prepare and use them. (You'll receive a plant list.) Trails are short and easy with 40 herbs, and we move slowly! Kathi has been giving walks on these trails for 25 years and they are her favorites! These walks are offered only once a year at peak bloom. Picnic areas if you want to bring lunch for afterwards. Taken from Meetup.com 2014

For more hikes, visit Trails by Locations

HAPPY TRAILS!

Edit: added aprox. driving time from Sacramento 7/6/2015

Cedar Park Trail, near Sly Park, CA

Wheelchair and stroller accessible trail through the woods with a nice observation deck overlooking the Cosumnes River Canyon. 

At only one half to one mile, it is a perfect woodsy getaway for youngsters.

 

The trail forms a paved figure 8 set of loops with rest benches situated randomly along the way.  It is located in El Dorado National Forest, on the south side of Sly Park Road, Pollock Pines, CA.  We found a nice observation deck that overlooks the Cosumnes River Canyon.  Carry water and maybe mosquito spray.  There aren't any water sources along the way.  It is accessible year around but gets snow.  Dogs are welcome on a leash.  (For a restroom, I stopped at Lake Jenkinson campground, and parked before the gate. Located near the entrance gate you'll find bathrooms.)

The paved route is easy, has an elevation range of 3640-3700 feet. Ample parking is provided.


At Cedar park, there are two more trails, unpaved, not well marked, that head out beyond the ranger's cabin.  It turned into bushwhacking for us, which was fun, but also had some steepness and makes a great "Let's go get lost" sort of hike.  There wasn't much of an understory which made off trail hiking easier, and we had a small runoff creek crossing.  Down below all of this is a creek/river where there may be good fishing. 
 
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: 5561 Sly Park Road:
We drove from the Shingle Springs on Pleasant Valley Road to Sly Park Road, to the parking on our right, across the street from the Sly Park Education Center.  I call it the scenic route, but it is curvy and slower driving. The park is well marked with a standard forestry sign.
The other option is to take the Sly Park exit off of Highway 50 and follow signs toward Sly Park, Jenkinson Lake.  Pass the park entrance and at Mormon Emigrant road stay to the right to follow Sly Park Road less than two miles to the parking on your left for Cedar Park.

For more trails, visit Trails by Locations

or search By Titles

Happy Trails!



 

Muir Woods, CA

Trails that wind through the gorgeous old stand of protected redwoods are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. 

(Use is not for bicycles)

 This is a fantastic day trip, or you can stay in bay area motels
and take in more coastal hikes and parks.

 Photos are allowed but photos or footage for business purposes require a permit.  There are interpretive signs and maps posted with mileage to help visitors choose their trails.

I enjoyed the visit through the Cathedral Woods, where you are asked to pass quietly and take in the sights, sounds and fragrances of this rare place, perhaps use it as a time to reflect and accept rejuvenation.  Wildlife does live there and with so much human activity, this is a chance to observe it with as little human noise and impact as possible.

This trail heads through the woods alongside this pleasant creek.  Due to this area's protected status, get something to keep from the gift shop.  It isn't legal to take anything from the woods here.  So many people come to experience old growth woods that leaving everything but footprints will keep the forest pristine for future visitors and you, too.

 

 There are miles of accessible trails from .5 to 2 miles in length for strollers and wheelchairs.  For hikers there are many more options of more difficult, longer trails.

 

 There is a gift shop with a small concessionaire for lunches, snacks and drinks.  Outdoor seating includes benches and decking.

 

 Gorgeous views of the bay.





 

 I will add some more photos this week.  I am just anxious to share a possible jaunt for you during the summer months.  The climate is coastal, moderate compared to the valleys, also moister, saltier air.
 

Driving: Many GPS devices will take you to places other than the parking or entry to Muir Woods National Monument, use coordinates:

Latitude: 37 degrees 53.519 minutes (North)
Longitude: 122 degrees 34.253 minutes (West).