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Skunk Hollow to South Fork ART (American River Trail)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.9 (33)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Sacramento Valley
  4. …Sacramento, Folsom, and Roseville
  5. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
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“Rolling cross country river view singletrack into the past.... ”

Shayne Holderby
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14.1

Miles

22.6

KM

85%

Singletrack

974' 297 m

High

492' 150 m

Low

1,693' 516 m

Up

1,697' 517 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

No Horses on first 2.5 miles

Overview

This ride starts at the Skunk Hollow Parking area just across Salmon Falls Rd from the Salmon Falls parking area. The trail is scenic with both ridge and river views throughout the ride. The turn around point is an erie step into the past.

Need to Know

Parking area is $10 or you can park about 1/4 mile down road for free. On weekends, expect to pay as there is river access and many lake users in the parking areas.

Description

Start at the NE corner of the parking area next to bathrooms. The clearly marked trailhead leads immediately to rocky switchback climbing to a ridge. Steep downhill leads to more climbing followed by more gradual and less rocky downhill. The ride is virtually never flat, you are either climbing or descending almost its entire length.

Several points along the ride offer great views of the American River. At about mile 4, the trail drops into a valley with narrow winding singletrack in amongst the trees. At this point the ride offers some great downhill and a few switchbacks. After passing through the valley the ride brings you back to the river with an area to stop and have a meal (picnic bench with dedication plaque).

The trail will gradually climb again opening up to a fire road and the Ridge Trail will branch off the SouthFork ART. Further down the fire road another trail will branch off, leading you back to the river (River Access Connector). Continuing past these trails leads you to a gradual downhill to a HUGE open valley with some old turn of the century ranch buildings. At this point you come to the turn around of this ride or you can continue on along one of two other trails, Long Valley Trail or Cronan Ranch Trailhead.

History & Background

Originally a large portion of the land for this trail was owned by the Bacchi family who acquired some of the land from the Murphys and the Central Pacific Railroad. All of the land currently in use for the trail was purchased by the American River Conservancy and the BLM.

Contacts

Local Club: Folsom Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition

Land Manager: BLM California - Mother Lode Field Office

Shared By:

Shayne Holderby
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 33 votes

#3

in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

#711

Overall
  3.9 from 33 votes
5 Star
15%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Folsom Lake State Recr…

#108

in California

#711

Overall
62 Views Last Month
21,087 Since Sep 9, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
4%
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59%
15%
22%
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Add a Photo

Photos

Descending South Fork ART.
Mar 23, 2016 near Granite…, CA
Sticking a deep crossing while loaded!
Mar 23, 2016 near Cameron…, CA
An amazing day of riding on some prime singletrack.
Apr 23, 2017 near Cameron…, CA
Shunk Hollow
Oct 21, 2013 near Auburn…, CA
The Pena Adobe Mountain Bikers ride Salmon Falls-Darrington Trail.
Jan 18, 2017 near Granite…, CA
Panoramic view along the American River Trail
Nov 18, 2013 near Cameron…, CA

5 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 38 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2023
Mahfoud Licha
Sep 25, 2022
Matthew Estes
26mi — 2h 33m
Apr 23, 2022
Ben Fox
A few wet spots, but otherwise great condition 10mi
Mar 27, 2022
James Bishop
18mi
Jun 6, 2021
Sean Villagracia
1.6mi
Mar 30, 2021
Tony Tobia
Feb 17, 2021
Jose Barraza
Dec 6, 2020
Craig Avis
4.7mi — 7h 24m

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