The Acorn Creek trailhead and trail is a new publicly accessible parking area and trailhead for hikers, mountain bicyclists and equestrians, as well as general day-use public recreation associated with trails and wildlife viewing. The scenic trail connects to the rest of the South Fork American River trail system leading to Highway 49 in Pilot Hill and to Folsom Lake.
“This trailhead is especially exciting for equestrians who in the past have not had access this far,” said Julie Andert, American River Conservancy public outreach and office manager. “Due to various conditions, the last section of the trail to Folsom Lake has not been available to them. Now they can ride the full eight miles to Cronan Ranch, or beyond to Magnolia Ranch.”
In 2011/2012, the American River Conservancy purchased the 757-acre Salmon Falls Ranch, the name of the property where the trailhead is located, in two phases using grant funds and private donations. In 2015 the conservancy was awarded a grant from the California Natural Resources Agency to install a trailhead and one-mile connector trail as well as install native plantings at the trailhead, said Elena DeLacy, project manager.
In 2017 construction of the trailhead and trail was completed. Joe Vicini Inc. was the general contractor hired to construct the driveway and parking area and the Federal Bureau of Land Management and the American River Conservancy worked cooperatively to construct the trail. The trailhead and trail project cost approximately $330,000, DeLacy said.
“While the majority of the funding came from the state of California through the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation grant program, additional funding was received from REI Co-op, the El Dorado Hills Endowment, several equestrian groups, a mountain biking group and individual donors,”DeLacy said.
The trail has a little elevation change of about 200 feet and crosses over Acorn Creek. Views of the river are available at several places along the trail, but Andert said access is limited.
“There are a variety of views, terrain, plants and animals along this trail. The views of the rolling hills and the river are magnificent,” Andert said. “This trail is for beginners to advanced adventurers. Always bring water and watch for rattlesnakes.”
There will be a $5 day-use fee to help maintain the trails and provide restrooms after Friday, May 4.
For more information and directions about the Acorn Creek trailhead and trail, visit ARConservancy.org/events.
--Laura Newell
CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Mountain Democrat newspaper.
“This trailhead is especially exciting for equestrians who in the past have not had access this far,” said Julie Andert, American River Conservancy public outreach and office manager. “Due to various conditions, the last section of the trail to Folsom Lake has not been available to them. Now they can ride the full eight miles to Cronan Ranch, or beyond to Magnolia Ranch.”
In 2011/2012, the American River Conservancy purchased the 757-acre Salmon Falls Ranch, the name of the property where the trailhead is located, in two phases using grant funds and private donations. In 2015 the conservancy was awarded a grant from the California Natural Resources Agency to install a trailhead and one-mile connector trail as well as install native plantings at the trailhead, said Elena DeLacy, project manager.
In 2017 construction of the trailhead and trail was completed. Joe Vicini Inc. was the general contractor hired to construct the driveway and parking area and the Federal Bureau of Land Management and the American River Conservancy worked cooperatively to construct the trail. The trailhead and trail project cost approximately $330,000, DeLacy said.
“While the majority of the funding came from the state of California through the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation grant program, additional funding was received from REI Co-op, the El Dorado Hills Endowment, several equestrian groups, a mountain biking group and individual donors,”DeLacy said.
The trail has a little elevation change of about 200 feet and crosses over Acorn Creek. Views of the river are available at several places along the trail, but Andert said access is limited.
“There are a variety of views, terrain, plants and animals along this trail. The views of the rolling hills and the river are magnificent,” Andert said. “This trail is for beginners to advanced adventurers. Always bring water and watch for rattlesnakes.”
There will be a $5 day-use fee to help maintain the trails and provide restrooms after Friday, May 4.
For more information and directions about the Acorn Creek trailhead and trail, visit ARConservancy.org/events.
--Laura Newell
CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Mountain Democrat newspaper.
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