Segment Update: California - Sacramento to Auburn
There aren't many segments of the American Discovery Trail that are entirely on actual trails. But the middle segment of the trek across California is one of them. Of its 54.08 miles, all but 0.64 miles are on the trail.
California Segment 5 - Sacramento to Auburn
— 100+ additional waypoints
— 2-miles-per-page map resolution
There aren't many segments of the American Discovery Trail that are entirely on trails. But the middle segment of the trek across California is one of them. Of its 54.08 miles, all but 0.64 miles are on the trail.
Beginning in Sacramento, you will follow the American River Bike Trail nearly 33 miles to its northern terminus at the Granite Bay Trailhead. It is an easy trip on a mostly flat, paved trail with plenty of water fountains, pit toilets, picnic tables, and emergency phones at your service. You'll watch the salmon jump near the Nimbus Dam and Fish Hatchery, see the Historic Folsom Truss Bridge and Folsom Prison itself (across the river), where Johnny Cash famously played a couple of gigs.
From Granite Bay, you'll join the Pioneer Express Trail along the western short of Folsom lake. You will undoubtedly stop at the unique piped spring protected by a round rock wall just before reaching Avery's Pond and the Mormon's Ravine Bridge.
As you enter the Auburn State Recreation Area, the Pioneer Express Trail becomes the aptly named Cardiac Bypass Trail and its 9.1% average grade for over a mile. After 50+ miles of relatively flat terrain, the 500 ft climb is quite a workout.
At the top, you'll join the Shirland Canal Trail for the final push into Auburn.