South Fork American River Trail

I went mountain biking with a group from Sacramento called Sikads. This is their yearly group ride. This trail kicked my butt. Lots of climbing and loose small rocks. Seems like climbing never ends. The switchbacks was so much fun. Watch out for hikers and horses. If climbing is your weakness this is a good place to practice. It can get hot so make sure you have enough water in your pack. The beginning it's a narrow single track and lots of fire road also. The view of the American River was priceless. Will definitely tackle this trail again.

I bike on Salmon Falls Trail normally and was pretty excited to read about this trail opening and was finally able to try it on 05/01/11. This trial is an ass kicker. It starts you off with climbing then when your legs are about to fall off....you climb somemore. About an hour of climbing you finally reach the top and you are rewared with a nice view of the South Fork American River with the happy rafters riding down it. Look to your right and you get a really nice view of Salmon Falls bridge and Folsom Lake.Unlike the Salmon Falls Trail you share this one with equestrians so look out as you're flying down that hill.Definitly an advanced trail for mountain bikers.I couldn't find a good website for this trial so I linked the Sacbee article please feel free to update that if you find something better.http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/30/3066300/south-fork-american-river-trail.html I want to thank American River Conservancy and the federal Bureau of Land Management and all those that donated for all their time and hard work and for providing us with this new trail for our recreation.

I've hiked on this trail twice within a month and I love it! It's such a workout and the scenery is beautiful. It's supposed to be a 9 mile hike one way so 18 miles total. The first time we hiked about 6-7 miles one way and turned back only because it was getting late. If we came earlier I would have liked to finish the trail. Second time we just did 4 miles total since we had kids with us but same great experience. You have to be careful because you share the trail with bikers and horseback riders and the trail can get narrow in certain areas. It can also be pretty rocky too so watch where you step. Other than that, it's pretty safe. Make sure to bring snacks and probably lunch and of course lots of water!

This trail is definitely an ass kicker (although more like ass, hips & legs) ha ha. It was beautiful though. You definitely have to be mindful of the rocks, water bars, steep terrain and bikes. It was beautiful and peaceful. It was great to hear the river down below as you hike and lots of shade about halfway in! LOTS of climbing, so have strong legs.

I have only done about 6 miles of this trail from Skunk Hollow up river and then turned around. This trail goes up and up and up and does offer some very nice views in the stretch I did. However, this stretch on a hot summer day would be brutal I think. Not much shade so bring lots of water.