Trail #1 – El Dorado Trail Trestle Segment

Missouri Flat to Forni Road

Placerville

Difficulty:      1

Distance:       3.0 miles (2.7 on bike trail plus 0.3 to Memorial)

Elevation:       Easy, 100’ gain

Directions:     Heading east on Highway 50, take Exit 44A for Missouri Flat Road.  Turn right (south) from the off-ramp onto Missouri Flat.  Continue 0.8 miles on Missouri Flat Road, just beyond Wal-Mart where the two lanes become one, and locate the parking area for the bike trail on your left (adjacent to Sierra Door & Supply).

Description:  This is a great place to start out the New Year with some outdoor activity.  If the kids received new bikes for Christmas, a new puppy joined the family, or you finally resolved to get into better physical shape, this is the perfect trail for you and the entire family to begin.  Although considered a bike trail, at this time of year you are much more likely to run into fellow hikers and joggers than you are bikers.  Nevertheless, always observe the rules of the trail, and walk on the right hand side at all times for better safety.

            Starting from the parking area, you can pick up a free doggy waste bag donated by Hangtown Kennel Club (there are numerous trashcans along the trail for depositing any waste).  The trail at first competes with local traffic and businesses, but eventually it moves away and becomes more rustic.  There are benches for resting along the trail that follows along an old railroad path, now paved over for easy passage.  Since it was once the path for trains, its uphill grade is gradual, with sweeping curves that would have accommodated a moving train.

            At 1.0 miles, you cross over Weber Creek on the old trestle bridge, originally built in 1903, but now modified with heavy planks instead of tracks.  Mid-way across the creek, a lookout allows for a 100’ view down to the creek.  After leaving the creek, you come to a large pasture beside the trail that will be resplendent in wildflowers later in the spring.  The air is crisp, with a slight smell of fresh pine.  Overhead, hawks soar, and below you hear the sounds of frogs coming from numerous pools of water.

The trail ends at Forni Road, next to the County Jail.  From here, it is a short walk to a beautiful Veteran’s Memorial.  Just walk up Forni Road 0.1 mile, and walk left on Ray Lawyer Drive across the Highway 50 overpass toward the county buildings another 0.2 miles.  The memorial is on your left at the first building up a flight of 26 stairs.  This site is a great place to reflect on our veterans and to support our troops.

Share with:  Joggers, bikers, in-line skaters, wheelchairs, and equestrians (limited trailer parking available).  This is a truly multi-use trail, suitable for anyone.

Did you know?  “Rails to Trails” is a nationwide program to replace unused train tracks with asphalt to provide citizens with multi-use trails.  The easements are still valid, so the conversion costs only the labor and materials.  Visit www.railstotrails.org to learn about the conservancy.