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quiet staging area
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJcM97bsln5Y35jMkm8q0wfs4v_6g7j5TYJRidcOUD1MAfm9tTW8bxh4dpHvBb8cQLgf4JCe75DB_nb9uGamGJQOsQFz9iypXAdV7u2p1aiXah7EUvYnvrAUZ7YHUY7VB_GKcBOhdCX1S/w400-h297/acorn+creek+map+crop.jpg) |
I love that the official map says "approx. 5 miles"
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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…
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oak woodland starting off was pretty
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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!)
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of fun, rocks!
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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.
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a bit boring
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One of the few view places
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I liked this open oak bit
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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!
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getting closer to the river
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lovely picnic spot
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I am done with this resting break…
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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…
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenhCrxrm5d6t7OZKubOTD05NCuhRfA_qWBzWbaIQeSuatl64K_hOs50Q-pE3h3C3zVUN3f3IQquWTzJ0cVKZDIfM9g5wUjSd_90XUwJOKy_L9XDfWcXUERurvXl1Zlwvpi3AiIyJLsZxA/w400-h300/heading+home+sign.jpg) |
heading home
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmBkt-Sgjl5rViJ266NoERGXl0oegRvvqi1a4jBY3pJprmJ-XKq0yN9k90Q4EAO6ISOAQAadFR_GrYp_OA-qsEy39P7YNNgGvgmy1oHGYARRYK_ULaRYd8JCFBIpRqFmlLAjXHQb9svK8/w300-h400/and+more+the+same.jpg) |
and more of the same
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dry creek bed
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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…
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dated sign in the middle of nowhere: Schwartznegger was The Governator in 2003–2011!
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welcome trailer snack
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