Salmon Falls Mountain Bike Trail

*SWEETWATER TRAIL*Came up here around 8am on a Sunday and there were only 2 cars in the parking lot...by time we left it was still only less than half full. I've never been here so here's a heads up for those that are new. Every time I googled the pin would drop on Salmon Falls Rd. So I looked up Salmon Falls Bridge and zoomed in. There is a sharp left turn right before you get to the bridge itself. This turn will take you up to two parking lots, both with their own bathroom (four stalls total). There's also a boat ramp but this area is shallow. The trail starts at the lot to the left as you enter. The pathway is not too narrow but in some areas it is and it's used for both walking/biking and there is POISON OAK everywhere. I suggest wearing long socks/pants. If you do wear shorts be cautious! There are plenty of trails that lead off to the right and take you down toward the lake. My boys and I packed up our coolers and spent some time down there for lunch. When we went it was beautiful and sunny with just a light breeze. This is a nice trail to get in a good walk/run. We will definitely be back as it's beautiful up here...enjoy!!

This review is specifically about Darrington trail that leads to Salmon Falls trail. It is a tiny parking area past the Salmon Falls entrance, over the small bridge.Get there early for parking and make sure to always lock your car and leaving nothing visible. This trail is known for break-ins. I come here once a week for trail running. It is always so peaceful and quiet. The trail begins with a short and easy incline to get the heart rate started. It is very popular with bikers so be mindful of them and try to keep on one side. Some of them are great about using the bells to alert hikers but not all. Luckily I have my bear bell hanging from my bag as well that helps for the same reason. It is usually pretty empty early mornings when I typically arrive and even by 10am it is not to bad.Be aware that it does get fairly warm because there is not much shade. It is more of a creek than a lake but at times it does get more full, usually at the end of Spring. I have spotted a couple of bobcat cubs so keep an out for wildlife. Overall my fav close spot to hike or run. The walk back in the mornings is best for pics.Enjoy and please keep it clean and safe!

There's a lot of white people here but they're pretty chill and for the most part put their masks on when we were passing them. Not too many wildflowers in late March but here are pics of some that I saw.

Rare (hopefully) opportunity to hike across Folsom Lake . This concrete bridge is amazingly intact after nearly 70 years of submersion. South fork of American River still flowing. We did a roughly 2.5 mile round trip hike with our dog. It's really eery to hike 20-30 feet below where people normally fish or waterski. Hopefully the drought is short- enjoy this while you can.

Nice trail to check out to get out of the house during SIP! We found street parking pretty readily available and on the day we went, the trail only had a few scattered people on it. We made our way to the water, and it was fun times. Dog and kid-friendly, though I think the trail is only well accessed by foot or bike (not a stroller). The hills surrounded the valley/water are were so beautiful and green! Worth checking out if you're in the area.

Came hiking her with a few friends right after we finished classes. The evening hikes are so nice, there were not alot of folks on the trail. The path is more of a bike trail than anything, but we still hiked it on our feet's nonetheless. we stopped by indians spring creek where all the lupins were located and looped back to our car. It was a 0.5mi hike to the creek. will definitely come back more often to see the whole trail. parking is $10, you pay yourself and put the ticket on your dashboard.

Even with the water being more of a creek than a lake, it's still a great place to come out & hike around! The Mormon bridge (which usually is submerged) is completely above water & looking as beautiful as ever! It's quite depressing to see California's drought in full effect, but the sky was a gorgeous shade of its brightest blue & there are sooo many different trails to explore that you kind of put the absence of water to the back of your mind. It's amazing to see the stone foundations of buildings that once stood there & fun to walk up/ down steps that, God only knows who, once took those same steps! Salmon Falls is a gorgeous place to stretch your legs & take some great pictures. Just be careful when jumping from rock to rock over the creek like river that remains... It's icy cold!!! I should know... I kept finding loose rocks to walk on & slipping into the freezing water lol.

I came to this intermediate mountain biking trail with a couple of my buddies and left in a bloddy muddy and broken world of hurt 3 hours and 2700 kcals later. The first 200 yards are easy peezy with light gradients and minimal rock and debris. However pass that point expect treacherous cliffs narrow trials, crazy down hills and granite obstacles all over the mother f_#$ken place. There are many baby heads, rocks, roots and divets that can throw an unaware rider around and break something YO momma told you not to break. You literally ride by the seat of your pants. Oh an make sure you bring an extra pair of underwear cause you will soil yourself. hahahaDon't stop riding to long because there are rattle snakes, wild turkeys, and mountain lions abound and you are at the bottom of the food chain in this environment. Pack light bring extra GU and wear full head gear knee pads and elbow pads and bring a first aid kit. TRUST me you will need it especially if it is your first time out.When we were done I had scratches and bruises all over the place from falling and sliding down a cliff, torn clothing and a taco'ed rim. Alas I emerged from the forest with my inner RAMBO still in tact. This place builds men and earns you a macho badge on your man card. Enter at your own risk.

Ok place to go. The name is misleading and not all the trails are maintained. I like that it's dog friendly. In the end you may find something better....

Alrighty folks, after 2 years of battling this mostly single-track trail with a fire road ending, it is time for my review.I had a pretty semi-traumatic, semi life threatening experience back in February. On a trail I normally tackle on my own I was out today with my brother. He suggested we ride it to the end, he hasn't done so before and he really wanted to feel like he accomplished something on this chilly winter afternoon. We started way too late to finish the ride but he was determined to see the end. After a few hours ride we made it, 7 miles of single-track goodness we pulled up to the eerily empty campsite, closed for the winter eagerly awaiting for spring to roll around and once again be the host to the laughter and screams of happy campers.Rested for thirty minutes, the sun beginning to set we started back. Leaving the campsite behind and quickly approaching the fire road I had a worried feeling we weren't going to make it back before dark.2 hours into the return trip, my brother (the guy who posted the pictures of the man on the unicycle, you can send him a nasty message after you're done reading my review) whom has many more years of riding experience on me and introduced me to the sport had left me in his single-track dust. Suddenly I get a flat.....Sh*t!Flat tire, no spare tube, no pump, no flashlight and battery meter on the cell red, unable to make a call because the lack of cell towers in the area. With every blink from the phone and every minute that passed, the sun dipping lower behind the horizon, light quickly fading............I started to realize....... I was doomed.After many stops due to both legs cramping up from all the hills I had to blindly traverse. After tripping and stubbing my toes on all the protruding rocks and roots. After who knows but the trees how many hours of pushing a disabled mountain bike with all my Lilliputian steps, all the screams into the night with words that would make a sailor on leave in Thailand blush. After limping by all the 20 to 50 foot cliffs that are lined with jagged rocks..... I made it out.Who is there to meet me at the trailhead with the most worried look on his face? Yes, him, Fu**ing A**hole.Cliff notes: Don't leave your riding partner behind, bring spare tubes, pump, flashlight, extra food and agua. This stuff should go without saying. Lesson learned for a noob, this trail will eat you alive if you are unprepared. Will I be back? hell yes....going back on Sunday.