6.6 hr
Overview
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. <br><br>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).<br><br>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.
Trail Stats
21.9 km
651 m
302 m
146 m
—
Photos
Ridgeline
Ridgeline
Ridge Summit
Ridge Summit
Turn Around Point Buildings
Turn Around Point Buildings
Summit Pine
Summit Pine
Panoramic view along the American River Trail
Panoramic view along the American River Trail
American River View
American River View
Old dwelling.
Old dwelling.
Valley Switchbacks
Valley Switchbacks
Start of West Ridge
Start of West Ridge
Good fun!
Good fun!
Looking down at the river...
Looking down at the river...
Trail begins here right behind the bathrooms in parking lot and then goes up!
Trail begins here right behind the bathrooms in parking lot and then goes up!
South Fork American River and the Sierra in the background.
South Fork American River and the Sierra in the background.
Sticking a deep crossing while loaded!
Sticking a deep crossing while loaded!
Shunk Hollow
Shunk Hollow
An amazing day of riding on some prime singletrack.
An amazing day of riding on some prime singletrack.
Descending South Fork ART.
Descending South Fork ART.