Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians soon will be able to trek between Folsom Lake and Highway 49 near Coloma, following a trail along the south fork of the American River.
The nonprofit American River Conservancy announced that it has acquired the last of 16 riverfront parcels needed to complete the 20-mile South Fork American River Trail Project.
The 45 acres on the north side of the Salmon Falls bridge provides the southwestern trailhead next to the existing Salmon Falls parking lot, said Alan Ehrgott, director of the conservancy.
Construction of the trail's final four miles from Salmon Falls Road to the Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park is to begin in April. The new section likely will open to the public in late spring 2010, Ehrgott said.
With the addition, he said, an approximately 50-mile trail from Sutter's Fort in downtown Sacramento to Sutter's Mill in Coloma will be 98 percent complete. Trails advocates hailed acquisition of the trailhead parcel.
"We are well on our way to getting something that will be world famous," said Bob Smart, a hiker, bicyclist and member of the El Dorado County Parks and Recreation Commission.
"People soon will be able to hike from the foggy bottom of Sacramento to the sunshine of Placerville," he said.
Folsom residents Judy and Larry Klein agreed to sell the parcel critical for the trailhead.
They initially planned to build their dream house on the land overlooking the south fork of American River and Folsom Lake, Judy Klein said in a written statement issued by the conservancy.
"But the more we thought about the uniqueness of its location, the more we recognized the greater benefit of protecting the natural habitat for future generations to enjoy," she said. "We look forward to hiking the trail one day with our grandchildren."
The property was purchased for $560,000, including $400,000 from California Wildlife Conservation Board and $100,000 from the California Resources Agency's River Parkways Grant Program. The conservancy raised the remaining $60,000 from more than 400 private donors through its American River Trail Campaign.
Ehrgott said the conservancy needs an additional $175,000 to complete the trail construction through an area that includes oak woodlands, conifers and chaparral.
The trail will skirt the northern edge of the Pine Hill Ecological Preserve, home to several species of rare plants. Ehrgott said the conservancy is working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to ensure that the trail does not encroach on rare-plant habitat.
An alternative trail segment may be built for equestrians, he said, because horses could spread weeds that would threaten preserve plants.
The American River Conservancy was formed in 1989 to acquire property for the South Fork American River Trail Project. "It's kind of a nice coincidence that in our 20th year, we've acquired the last parcel," Ehrgott said.
The conservancy plans several other trail projects elsewhere in El Dorado County.
"We are cognizant that we are spending the public's money," Ehrgott said, "and the public needs access to their land."
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 608-7451.
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