MOTHER LODE TRAILS
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Volunteer
  • Links
    • Law Enforcement Emergency
    • Federal, State, County Districts Parks & Trails
    • Running Clubs
    • Equestrian Clubs
    • Mt. Bike Clubs
    • Hiking Clubs
    • Trail Advocacy Organizations
    • Phone Numbers State & Federal Parks, Trails & Lands
    • Where to Eat on the Trails
  • News
  • Alerts

Review: Hike or ride your horse on the Pioneer Express Trail to Avery's Pond

2/15/2020

 
Picture
--by Mary West
MLT NOTE: Because of the narrowness and steep sides, for safety and by Folsom Lake State Recreation rule, the Pioneer Express Trail to Avery's Pond is closed to mountain bikes. This is a lovely quiet trail - leave your bike at home and hike it.

The rains made for a nice pool at Avery’s Pond in Folsom. I enjoy the quiet of the pond. The bird calls, buzzing of bees and the plunging of turtles. When the winds are calm you can see perfect reflections of the clouds above. 

Picnic tables can be found on two sides of the pond. The tall grass, thick brush and fallen trees have obscured the water line. The banks are steep on three sides. The trail takes you around the pond and back to the trail you came in on.

From Auburn, take Highway 49 south to Lincoln Way. Turn left onto Auburn Folsom Road. Turn left on Shirland Tract Road. Follow it to Rattlesnake Road. Take Rattlesnake all the way into the Folsom State Recreation Area. There is a $12 day use fee. Go out to the Rattlesnake boat ramp and park on the left. The trail is unmarked other than a temporary sign stating the area is closed to motorized vehicles.

The trail was rutted and overgrown on my last visit. Watch out for poison oak in all seasons and ticks. Take the trail straight up the hill to the T. Turn right and you will walk directly to Avery’s Pond. The stroll is maybe 1.2 miles from the parking lot to the pond. Much of the trail is shaded but the valley temperatures have an impact in late spring and summer. Bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed.

If you want a greater challenge, you can start in Auburn and take the Pioneer Express Trail. Other trails lead you in and around Folsom Lake if you want to enjoy the wildflowers and lake views.

This trail is popular with equestrians with a stone watering hole to mark the common occurrence of horses on the trail. Dogs should be kept on a leash.
---

CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos in The Union newspaper.
---
Mary West is the author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide. The books are a collection of Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, and favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond (Available on Amazon). West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Newspaper Column by the Outdoor Writers Association of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram.




Comments are closed.

    Trail News

    Visit this page for all of the latest Trail News that affects our area.

    Archives

    February 2025
    August 2024
    September 2023
    June 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Home
Contact
 Mother Lode Trails is YOUR local volunteer-run trail information and resource website. Here you can find
up-to-the minute information on trail alerts, links and trail news for Placer,  Yuba, and Nevada counties.
Mother Lode Trails is trademarked.