#american river

Summer has arrived at Folsom Lake in Gold Country. The grass is turning gold and the lake is bright blue and nice and low due to the drought. Last weekend we took a hike around Brown’s Ravine which takes you along where Folsom Lake meets the South Fork of the American River. I hadn’t been to this trail for a few years and I loved being so close to the river and the lake. It was a less busy trail than many of the others in the state park and is definitely on my list to visit more often.

It’s mid winter here in Gold Country and the trails are starting to get green again. After a big storm two weeks ago and then lots of sun, spring is just knocking on the door ready to come. It has been so lovely to try out some new and familiar trails the past two months, especially some that are very close to where I live. This trail is in Cronan Ranch Region Park in Pilot Hill just down the road from Coloma. The South Fork of the American River winds through the hills and valleys here creating a gorgeous view.

I’m working on hiking in lots of new places that are close to home and am excited to be more of a tourist in my own area. This spot is along the American River at Lake Natoma in Fair Oaks. It really is right on the edge of gold country but I felt the landscape fit more with the oaks of the foothills than the valley. And while this was a short hike we went on, the view at the top of the lake was spectacular. I’ve driven by this area lots but never thought I could go hike there. It’s relatively close to other parts of the American River I’ve hiked lots at but the landscape is totally different, just oak trees and grass up along the ridge. 

Summer is here in Northern California and it’s a beautiful time to go hiking. We’ve made a big hiking list for the summer to see more of the stunning land that surrounds us. My first hike was in gold country on the Olmstead Loop Trail in Cool. And while we might have gone on a day that was way too hot to hike, the views were still mesmerizing. The trails were lined with oak trees and pine trees, vast open prairies, and the beautiful North Fork of the American River. It feels so nice to be back out in nature taking new photos and exploring new places.