Sweetwater Trail, Folsom SRA
Waiver and Sign-up required.
You MUST sign an Electronic Liability Waiver in advance for Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks. This is a permanent change required by CNPS statewide. Note that this Waiver is for Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks only and does not cover Sacramento Valley CNPS Field Trips nor any Events or Field Trips offered by other CNPS Chapters. The only difference with the Sacramento Valley CNPS Friday Walks Liability Waiver is that once signed it is valid through the end of the current calendar year (2025).
Friday Walks have a limit on the number of participants. The limit is 20 attendees plus 1 leader. Only 4 new to Friday Walks attendees can sign up for each walk. If your name appears on a sign in sheet after January 1, 2013 you are not considered a new attendee.
Walks are held unless heavy rain, extreme heat or very poor air quality are forecast. Cancellation notices posted by 7PM Thursday.
Note the Safeway El Dorado Hills Meeting area in the map links below have been updated to where in the parking lot we will meet, not in the Safeway Store in the original link. 6:35pm Thursday
Friday, April 11, 9:30am – 12:15pm, Sweetwater Creek, Folsom SRA
Sign-up is required for everyone that is driving to the Sweetwater Creek Friday Walk due to very limited parking at the trailhead. It is hoped that everyone will find another at least one other person to ride with. If you plan to drive and park at the trailhead, let John know how many other people will in your vehicle. If you don’t know anyone to ride with email for other options such as parking at Falcon Crest for a ride or meeting near the Safeway red teardrop in Eldorado Hills off Green Valley Rd. about 9:15am and riding from there.
Note: The lake level is already so high that we will have to stay on the trail in both directions. The valley trail we normally return on is already under water.
Sweetwater Creek Trail is off Salmon Falls Rd and heads out to the South Fork of the American River. A number of plants not seen in the valley floor will be encountered. A native plant bloom report will be added by Sunday evening. Some of the plants we normally see will already be under water. While not in bloom Garrya congdonii will have seeds from last year. The old Salmon Falls Bridge is totally under water. This is a mostly level and partially shaded walk. Email John Schmidt or call 916-500-8456 for more information.
Bring water, hat, sun and wind protection and a snack. Since we will be on the trail the entire time a walking stick will not be needed for stream crossings.
Meet at the teardrop on this map or use the directions below. It’s about 30 minutes from Sunrise and Hwy 50 to the meeting area.
Driving directions from Sacramento:
– Travel east on Highway 50
– Take exit 30B -El Dorado Hills Blvd.
– Drive north on El Dorado Hills for about 3.5 miles to Green Valley Rd.
– As you cross Green Valley Rd at 3.5 miles it becomes Salmon Falls Rd.
– Follow Salmon Falls Rd. right toward Pilot Hill at the fork ¼ mile past Green Valley Rd.
– Drive past Falcon Crest on your left at the top of one climb.
– Continue past Falcon Crest as the road curves down to the right and down
– As you reach the bottom of the hill, slow down.
– At the very bottom of this descent, the Sweetwater parking area will on your left just past a small bridge. There is a small green trailhead gate on your left with space for about for about 10 vehicles including on the left road shoulder as the road curves up the next hill.
– If you pass the parking area, there are some driveways about 300 yards ahead that can be used for turning around.
Parking is free at the trailhead. There are no rest facilities are available at the trailhead.
If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, please do.
Please try to be on time. We’ll try to start walking at 9:45am.