Hike the Pioneer Trail

Hike along the North Fork of the American River

Wildflowers unfurling from their winter slumber, birds chirping in the trees, turtles warming themselves in the sun—find your Zen early this spring with a mellow and scenic hike to Avery’s Pond along the North Fork of the American River. The 19th-century irrigation pond is accessed via the Pioneer Express Trail near the top of Folsom Lake.

The trail begins with a steep, rutted incline but quickly mellows into gentle twists and gradual rises. At the top of the canyon the bare trees of early spring grant stunning views of the tranquil river below, otherwise blocked by summer foliage.

The trail flattens and widens as it descends then loops around the pond itself. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can continue another 5 miles to Auburn. Otherwise, grab a picnic table hidden among the trees.

Beer Bonus: Back in Sacramento, head over to Porchlight Brewing Company (866 57th St., Sacramento) for a little R&R. Try the mouth-puckering blackberry sour or the cocoa-infused barrel-aged stout. Heaters on the outdoor patio keep the spring chill at bay, and neighboring restaurants are happy to deliver if you need a bite. On weekends, local musicians grace the stage … errrr, rather, the back corner of the tasting room.

To reach Avery’s Pond Trail, take the Folsom Blvd. exit from eastbound Hwy. 50 in Folsom and turn left. Continue northeast on Folsom Blvd. It will turn into Folsom Auburn Rd. Auburn Folsom Rd. Continue about 16 miles and turn right on Newcastle Rd. Veer right onto Rattlesnake Rd. and follow it until it dead ends at the parking lot. The unmarked trailhead is to the left of the boat ramp. Parking is $12.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View