Blog Archives

Mary West: Day Hiker - Training Hill - Challenge for the adventurous hiker

11/23/2024

With my 55th birthday approaching, I decided to tackle Training Hill in Auburn State Recreation Area on a beautiful spring day—to prove to myself that I can still roll out of bed and conquer a challenging trail. And challenging it is! Photo Credit - Mary West
A short but tough ascent
Training Hill may be less than two miles long, but don’t let that fool you. With an elevation gain of 1,052 feet in about a mile, this trail will test your stamina. Along the way, I was thrilled to spot shooting stars, manzanita, and many other spring flowers in bloom. The view from the top is always a rewarding sight—snowcapped Sierras to the east and the coastal mountain range stretching to the southwest. Have you hiked Training Hill? Share your experience and tag #DayHikerCA!
Finding the trailhead
The trailhead isn’t marked by a grand sign; it’s simply a spot along Highway 49 on the El Dorado side of the bridge that separates Placer County from El Dorado County. This area, known as the Confluence, offers numerous trails. Gate #150, just downstream from the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River, is the starting point for the Western States Trail. This trail challenges elite athletes to cover 100 miles from Palisades Tahoe to Auburn.
While it’s tempting to head right over the iconic No Hands Bridge toward Canyon Creek, today I went left, uphill, to tackle Training Hill. The trail is well-marked, and if you’re ever in doubt, remember: uphill is the way. Any left turns will take you toward the town of Cool. Have you hiked any of the other trails in this area? Let me know which is your favorite!
The Climb: Embrace the challenge
The climb is steep and relentless, with plenty of opportunities to stop and catch your breath as you take in the stunning views. Just when you think you’ve reached the summit, take a deep breath—there’s still more trail to conquer. But every step is worth it. Reaching the top is a victory, and the panoramic views are a perfect reward for your effort.

Tips for hiking training hill
Parking: Find a spot along Highway 49 on the El Dorado side of the Confluence. Parking can be tricky, so arrive early to secure a spot.

Trail advice:
The trail is narrow and steep, so bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed. Hiking poles can be helpful for stability on the ascent.

Best time to hike:
Spring offers cooler temperatures and blooming wildflowers, making it the ideal time for this challenging climb. Early mornings or late afternoons provide the best lighting and the most peaceful experience.

Directions to the Trailhead
From Auburn, take Highway 49 south. Cross the bridge that divides Placer and El Dorado counties.
Look for parking along Highway 49 on the El Dorado side of the bridge.
Head to Gate #150, located by the North Fork of the American River, just downstream from the Confluence.

Plan your adventure
Have you hiked Training Hill before? What’s your favorite part of the climb? Share your photos and stories with @MaryWestHikes on social media!

Other Trails in the Area:
The Confluence offers a variety of trail options. If you’re looking for a longer adventure, try the Western States Trail, or explore the paths leading to Canyon Creek.

Mary West is the author of the book series, Day Hiker — Gold Country Trail Guide (I, II, III, and now IV), all available on Amazon. The books compile her Day Hiker columns, sharing her long-time love for the outdoors and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West received the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Column, as well as the 2020 CRAFT Award for her second book in the series from the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for more trail inspiration.

Pioneer Express Trail re-opened again, thanks to trail fairies

11/19/2024

UPDATE November 19, 2024:
From the Pioneer Express Trail Facebook page:
"The trail is unblocked! On Thursday the 15th, the Pioneer Express Trail was blocked again near to mile marker 42, but today, only 4 days later, it is open. Some pines were cut back on the other side of MM 42, where they were newly fallen, too. Thank you to the trail fairies!

Post October 31, 2024:
UPDATE: TRAIL BLOCKED AGAIN: A tree fell across the trail near mile marker 42 on November 15th, so even though much clearing was recently done, the trail is blocked again.

US Forest Service to Lose Most of its Seasonal Trails Workforce

11/18/2024

From Back Country Horsemen News:
The US Forest Service recently announced a “hiring pause” that will be in place unless and until Congress provides certainty regarding the agency’s budget for the fiscal year that started October 1st.

As you may know, Congress again abdicated its duty to pass a number of budget bills (i.e., appropriation bills) for Fiscal Year 2025, including those that fund operations of our federal land management agencies.

The hiring pause does not apply to wildland fire fighters. Yet it carries significant ramifications in terms of placing a pause on the hiring of currently open full-time positions. Plus--for the first time in my memory—placing a pause on the hiring of most seasonal employees and trail crews.

Much depends on the outcome of the recent election and how it will affect the balance of power in Congress. Either way, the proposed FY’25 budget approved by the House of Representatives includes deep cuts for the Forest Service and other agencies. The Senate version of the FY’25 budget, however, would keep the agencies relatively whole.

Click "read more here" for additional details about how we got here and BCHA’s advocacy efforts intended to improve the situation. PLEASE read this important document to all of us who use and love Forest Service lands.

USDA letter.

Tree work at Gold Country Equestrian Trail Head (Lone Grave)

11/18/2024

From a GCTC member today (11/18/2024), Tahoe National Forest is doing extensive tree work at the trail head. There are several large trucks and lots of tree workers. They are allowing rig parking, but there is not a lot of parking space, maybe for 3-4 rigs.

The work will continue on non-rainy days for another few weeks until they are done.

Placer County Board of Supervisors expands Hidden Falls Regional Park with Big Hill Preserve

11/7/2024

Published Nov. 7, 2024
The long-awaited Hidden Falls Regional Park Expansion Project moved closer to reality Tuesday with the Placer County Board of Supervisors taking action to ensure the expansion is well managed for users and neighbors when opened to the public in 2025.
A highlight was a resolution renaming the Twilight Ride parking area and adjacent trails as Big Hill Preserve, Hidden Falls Regional Park. This addition to the park includes roughly 600 acres of new open space with 10 miles of new trails.
Adding the preserve to Hidden Falls Regional Park will put the area under the county’s public safety ordinances such as smoking and fire prohibitions, and increase access to wildfire prevention programs.
Over the past three years, county staff have worked with CAL FIRE and registered foresters at the Placer Resource Conservation District to complete a comprehensive emergency response plan and update the park’s vegetation and fuels management plan.
“Well-planned preparation for emergency response and wildfire risk reduction is paramount for the county. These plans give staff and first responders a clear understanding of the access network, water sources, helicopter landing zones, shaded fuel breaks, and other facilities that are available tools in an emergency,” said Placer County Parks Administrator Andy Fisher. “And, they will give neighbors and visitors a good description of the lengths we go to for their protection.”
The board also took the first steps in instituting parking restrictions along public roads within a mile of the entry of the new Big Hill Preserve parking lot on Bell Road and on Cramer Road a half mile east from its intersection with Bell Road.
And finally, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Placer Land Trust affirming that the county will operate trails on the Placer Land Trust property on public trail easements.
The nonprofit land trust has been a key partner in the development of Big Hill Preserve, working with the county to acquire and manage the expansion property for public trails, grazing and habitat management.
Big Hill Preserve includes the 321-acre Taylor Ranch and 160-acre Kotomyan Preserve, which are owned by the Placer Land Trust.
“The addition of new trails, improved infrastructure and enhanced safety measures will further elevate the recreational experience at Hidden Falls Park,” said Fisher. “Placer County remains committed to preserving its natural beauty and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation for its residents and visitors. If you think Hidden Falls is beautiful today, we can’t wait for you to experience the expansive views and remote experience of the expansion area.”
“This region includes the largest remaining unfragmented oak woodlands in the county and one of the last relatively wild areas in western Placer County,” said Fisher. “The Placer Land Trust deserves our thanks for their continued partnership in preserving open space.”
When open, the Parks Division anticipates requiring parking reservations daily at the new parking area to ensure overcrowding does not happen.
Hidden Falls Regional Park Expansion Project Phase 2 is expected to open to the public in the second half of 2025.
For more information about Hidden Falls Regional Park, including parking reservations, please visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/6106/Hidden-Falls-Regional-Park.

Tahoe National Forest lifts fire restrictions Nov. 5, 2024

11/5/2024

NEVADA CITY, Calif. — Fire restrictions on the Tahoe National Forest will be lifted, effective Nov. 5, 2024. The lifting of these restrictions only applies to national forest lands on the Tahoe National Forest.

“This year has been unseasonably dry on the Tahoe National Forest and the risk of wildfire is year-round,” said Tahoe National Forest Fire Management Officer Kyle Jacobson. “While lately we have experienced favorable weather and fuels conditions allowing us to lift fire restrictions, we ask those wishing to have a campfire on the forest, to do so safely and responsibly.”
Always remember:

To have a campfire outside of a designated developed recreation area, a valid California Campfire Permit is required.
Attend your campfire at all times and clear all flammable material away from the fire at a minimum of five feet is all directions.
Never build a fire on a windy day.
Make sure your campfire is completely out. Drown it with water and stir with dirt, making sure all burned materials are extinguished. Feel with your hand to make sure it’s out cold.
The use of fireworks and all other pyrotechnic devices are always illegal on federal lands.

Campfire permits are free and available online at www.readyforwildfire.org and at U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or CAL FIRE offices.

The Tahoe National Forest implemented fire restrictions on July 1, 2024.
This year alone, there have been 71 wildfires on the forest—52 of those fires were human-caused.

https://yubanet.com/regional/tahoe-national-forest-lifts-fire-restrictions-nov-5-2024/

Press Release here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tahoe/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1214381

EDITORIAL: Elegant Ears Mule Association President's concern about the Pioneer Express Trail in FLSRA

11/4/2024

The Pioneer Express Trail in Folsom State Park and Auburn State Recreational Area. It runs from Beals Point to Auburn. It is a National U.S. Official Historical Trail.

I have ridden, with my mules the Pioneer Express trail for over twenty-four years. I regularly use to ride the Granite Bay to Stering Point section. I love this section of trail for its beauty and challenges for my mules. This trail would be typically open all year since the lake floods the lower trail. I also ride the Sterling Point to Avery Pond and China Bar sections regularly.

Over the years, I've seen very little maintenance other then some across the trail blocking large tree cleared.

This year, twice, I rode the Granite Bay to Sterling Point section. From Doton Point to Sterling Point was nearly impossible to ride do to brush intrusion, low hanging limbs, and low overhang trees that required me to get off my mule to be able to pass through. This last trip, on November 3rd, I saw runner event markers, yet no noticeable trail maintenance done other then one large tree someone cleared with a chainsaw sometime this year. I don't see how the runners could enjoy running the trail.

My club, Elegant Ears Mule Association has tried to work with Folsom State Park by offering to do trail maintenance.

We are First Aid, CPR, and chainsaw-certified by the U.S. Forest Service and do regular trail maintenance at Rock Creek, Tells Creek and Caples Creek areas in El Dorado National Forest.

Over the years, I and others have contacted the Park to provide help in maintaining the trail. And none of us ever received a return call by Park officials.

The Pioneer Express Trail an Official Historical Trail that is slowly disappearing from lack of use because lack of maintenance. Soon, it could be gone forever.

I would like the Park officials and the public to be aware of the trails condition and the maintenance situation.

Thanks,

Randy Kirkbride
President, Elegant Ears Mule Association
[email protected]

To read more about the Pioneer Express Trail, visit the Mother Lode Trails Resources webpage CLICK HERE.