"The trail heads west from the bridge. It hugs the north side of the American River canyon, with some rather extreme sections of singletrack and rocks. The first 200 yards of the trail are 'hike-a-bike' and I really mean it. From that point forward, the Salmon Falls trail follows the contour of the cliffs. It winds in and out of chapparel, oaks, manzanita and other lower Sierra flora. Local fauna has been known to include the rattlesnake, coyote, deer, bovine and human life forms. Ride with care and please remember that since it is an out-and-back trail, others may be coming your way. Technically the trail is not too bad. The first 200 yards are the most challenging, but this is a trail that keeps you 'on your toes.' There are many baby heads, rocks, roots and divets that can throw an unaware rider around. It is also a great trail to learn how to ride by the seat of your pants. Total elevation gain on the trail is somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 feet. It is a perfect trail for those who are just getting used to riding again after a long, wet winter on the couch. You can ride this trail anytime of the year, but summers can be HOT. Winters can be nice especially after a nice rain, since the trail is sand based and holds quite a bit of water.
 | Salmon Falls: Sweetwater Loop |   | 8 mi |
| South Fork American River Trail | | 14 mi |
The trail is in good condition, I rode it after Sweetwater and found it to be the right amount of length for a good session. Its a bit sketchy in the beginning and I walked it as a result.
| ThankThis is a fun trail that is moderate in difficulty. There is a small section early on that is sketchy and I walked it as a result. Other then that the trail is flowy with a good mix of ups and downs. Parked by the bridge because its free (I think) and rode up to the trail on the other side of the bridge on the left.
| ThankFirst time here today. 63 temp, partly sunny, some mud on trails but overall very good conditions. No doubt the rocky entrance is a challenge. I chose to walk a few sections near beginning since big cliff there. Afternoon ride on Trek and saw 1 rider and 2 walkers. lol forward to a return in spring and summer.
| ThankEmm it's saying Advance. I don't know how to change it. I'd say it's a intermediate trail. Not advance.
| Thanka trail you want to do with cool weather. It is open and exposed. 1600 elev. I did part of salmon falls and it. Pass on salmon falls and do south fork. Switchbacks add some technical along with some rough climbs. First part is a long climb but the downhill is worth it.
| ThankIt seems way more rocky than last year. As you get out to about 5 miles it has way too many rocks for my taste, and atm I have a injured shoulder so.... I felt that way on a shorter trip also when I wasn't in as good of shape as now.
| ThankNow that I am in better shape I will try it again after the shoulder heals and see how it is. But if your not a strong rider expect it to start wearing on you at about the 5 mile mark.
The last time I rode it I saw only one biker with a very worn out dog. And maybe a hiker or two.
Good trail system. Mostly packed single track with some rocks/roots thrown in for fun. Nothing real technical. Just enough to make it fun.
| ThankNice mostly flowing singletrack. A few hike-a-bike spots; one early. A few steeper, short climbs. Nice view of the reservoir for most of the trail. Wife liked it; so not too technical.
| ThankNot much more to add to the other reviews. Recommended if in the area.
A very nice trail, with some good technical uphill and downhill sections. The views are great too.
| ThankRode the trail this weekend. It is in great shape and surprising not to dusty for this late in the season of a dry year.
| ThankThe bridge is ridable again. Actually the water is lower than I have ever seen it. Enjoy it while you can!
| ThankThere are obliviously a few different ways to ride this loop. If you want more miles than the 8 listed here, (not sure how they figured that) start at the REAL trailhead by the parking lot just before the bridge on Salmon Falls Rd. Its a sharp left turn into the parking lot and the trailhead is clearly posted next to the bathrooms. Run Sweetwater 3 miles to the green gate and then head back approximately 1.5 miles to the bridge that goes across the lake. Cross the bridge and up the hill to connect to Salmon Falls. Turn left and ride for about 6 miles to the end of the trail. Turn around and ride it back with the option of going back over the bridge to Sweetwater or continue straight on Salmon Falls and taking the road over another bridge up the hill and back to your car. Either way is about 20 - 22 miles of killer trail! The water is low enough now to not have to get wet like I said a month ago.
| ThankJust a note: the bridge is there, but there's just enough water to make getting to either end a wet proposition. If you want to take your shoes off and walk through about calf high water on top of some cement that's slightly underwater then you can ride the bridge over and do it again on the other side before riding up to Salmon Falls. Really fun trails though. They never disappoint !
| ThankSalmon Falls is a really fun ride. I have ridden this trail about 10 times and it seems like I forget how much fun it is until I ride it again! The rocky section at the beginning has been slightly worked over to make it rideable instead of walking, but still a good challenge that you need to be careful on or end up down the cliff. Who doesn't like a good challenge, right? It has a little bit of everything - flowing sections, climbs, downhill, rocky technical sections, flat meadows, through the trees, on the side of a cliff, views of the lake - everything you could ask for!
| ThankThe trail description is fairly accurate. We rode this on a 75 degree relatively cool Monday. It was ideal and we only saw one other rider. The trail rock gardens have angular rocks that demand attention. I felt more tired after this than other longer less rocky rides.
| ThankFun trail, stay clear on hot days very hot. Steep drop offs at start just walk it. Around mile 3 trail splits to lower and upper, upper is easier on the way out, lower on the way back both join up about a mile further down trail. Several areas may require a short push over technical rock gardens. At far end of loop you leave single track to a fire-road. Turn around here to save a .5 mile climb on fire road.
| ThankA great trail. There's video of it at www.sacramentooutdoorssports.com under their mountain bike section
| ThankAwesome trail! Took a little while to find it, passed by it twice then finally asked a ranger and they directed us there. Beginning was fun and difficult at the same time. Middle was mostly flat with a multiple downhill runs. I took three other guys with me, and I think we all crashed at least once sometime on the trail. I'm intermediate, but they're beginners and we all did fine. Fun fun trail!
| ThankThis is a great training trail. Spring is best, water crossings within the small ravines and the wildlife and flowers makes a great trip. Hill climbs are short but demanding and view of Folsom lake is almost 90 precent of the ride. Only issue.. single track and it goes both ways.. many tight spots and you need to be on your game or get run off the trail during the weekends.
| ThankWasnt all that good of a trail i got real tired and lots of uphills and hardwork put in. Recommended: Don't bring lots of stuff like a big camelbak or overhalling of clothes on. Thats probably my mistake. But ya can you hunt out there cause there is a lot of wildlife. Plus when i rode it today i heard gun shots and there was a fence and i looked on google earth and saw that someone lived right there and if they were shooting then its county owned and was wondering if all that is county owned please answer cause i plan on hunting it for turkey season next month(lots of turkey)* Review edited 2/22/2010
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