 |
quiet staging area
|
 |
I love that the official map says "approx. 5 miles"
|
Maybe it is not a good sign when you fall off before you even start your ride?
Luckily, I only fell off the rock I was using for mounting (note to self: check to see if rock is stable first!), teetered around a bit then fell on my ass, but didn't let go of the reins! Major just looked at me. Why must I be so embarrassing to him…
 |
oak woodland starting off was pretty
|
Luckily the day did not get any worse, and we were off on a new-to-me trial, Acorn Creek. This is exactly opposite the lake from where I usually ride, but heading upriver.
This trail connects to Cronan Ranch, where I have ridden before, by using the South Fork American River trail. This is all on BLM land, so open to all users. The trailhead was empty on a mid-week day (I took a day off so I could ride in the relative peace and quiet, and sun!)
 |
of fun, rocks!
|
The trail started off through oak woodland with informative plant identification signs (I learned the shrub that is everywhere is native Buckbrush, a type of Ceanothus which is why it smells so awful when it flowers!). Then the trail started up a very rocky hill. We went up and up, then leveled off, just basic up and downs, for the next 6 miles.
 |
a bit boring
|
 |
One of the few view places
|
 |
I liked this open oak bit
|
I thought I'd have epic views of the canyon and river, but most was obscured by tall bushes, I could see over sometimes (not an interesting trail to hike on foot, you'd barely see anything!). Some areas were steep cliffs with views of rapids far below, but there was a lovely section that went away from the river and wove through oak woodland that was gorgeous.
The few bikes were met were very nice, though one did come around a corner very fast. Luckily Major has no concern for bikes, but the guy sure looked like he spooked seeing a horse there!
 |
getting closer to the river
|
 |
lovely picnic spot
|
 |
I am done with this resting break…
|
You can keep riding this into Cronan ranch, and go pretty far, but we stopped at a river picnic spot as our turn around spot. I wanted to relax and eat my PB&J, Major just wanted to go back to the trailer. We compromised, which means he ate half my sandwich so I was finished quicker, sigh…
 |
heading home
|
 |
and more of the same
|
 |
dry creek bed
|
As an out and back this trail was not the most interesting. Maybe more fun with a friend, or after more rain (all creek were so dry, and I'm sure they'll be wildflowers later in spring). But it was still fun to explore somewhere new, and next time I know to look for a better mounting rock to stand on…
 |
dated sign in the middle of nowhere: Schwartznegger was The Governator in 2003–2011!
|
 |
welcome trailer snack
|
