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.
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.
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