Salmon Falls / Lotus / Green Valley Rd Loop
Alternate 1: Return on Green Valley Rd
through Cameron Park
Alternate 2: Return on Deer Valley Rd to Green Valley Rd (bypass Cameron Park
- 2.3 miles longer)
| Level of Difficulty: Difficult (3500' total climbing for Green Valley Loop, and 3900' climbing if returning on Deer Valley Rd) | |
| Riding Time: 4 hours | Printable Area Map: Salmon Falls / Lotus Loop (Adobe Acrobat required) |
| Season to Ride: Year round. |
Description: This is a great Winter or Spring time ride, though it can be throughout the year. Salmon Falls Rd is narrow, but beautiful. The climb from Salmon Falls Recreation Area up to Pilot Hill is stiff, but the scenery keeps you going. Groceries are available in Coloma, Rescue and (if taking Alternate 1 path) Cameron Park. If doing this ride in the Summer, best to leave as early in the morning as possible to escape the heat and traffic. Traffic notes: Highway 49 can have heavy traffic, but the road is wide at most points. Lotus Rd and Green Valley Rd can have also have heavy traffic, and the road is narrow at points. Fortunately for climbing up Lotus Hill (in the direction of this loop), the road is new and there is a wide shoulder during the climb. After the climb though the road narrows considerably, and caution is advised. Both Salmon Falls Rd and Deer Valley Rd generally have light traffic.
| Miles | Directions |
|
0.0 |
Start
at corner of El Dorado Hills Blvd and Serrano Parkway. Head north on
El Dorado Hills Blvd. |
|
3.7 |
Intersection
with Green Valley Rd.
Continue straight across. |
|
9.4 |
Cross
Folsom Lake (American River empties into Lake at this point). |
|
13.1 |
Top
of climb.
Rolling hills next mile. |
|
15.5 |
Watch
for sign that points to Highway 49.
Turn right on Salmon Falls Cut-Off Rd. (follow sign) |
|
15.6 |
Intersection
with Highway 49.
Turn Right. |
|
22.2 |
Enter
Coloma (food, services). |
|
22.7 |
Cross
American River.
Immediately after crossing river, turn Right on Lotus Rd. |
|
24.0 |
Start
2.0 mile climb up Lotus Rd. |
|
26.0 |
Top
of climb. Intersection with Gold Hill Rd (not shown on map). Continue
straight. Road descends for next two miles.
Traffic starts to increase here. |
|
29.6 |
Intersection
with Green Valley Rd.
Turn towards Right (“Y” intersection). |
|
30.2 |
Green
Valley Road turns sharply towards Right (if you were to continue straight
the road becomes North Shingle Springs Rd.).
Brief, but steep uphill at this point. |
|
30.6 |
Top
of hill.
Small descent follows. |
|
31.0 |
Town
of Rescue (groceries).
Alternate on Deer Valley Rd starts here. |
| Main Route: Continue on Green Valley Rd (shorter, but more traffic) |
|
31.0 |
Gradual
2.0-mile climb starts to Cameron Park. |
|
33.7 |
Intersection
with Cameron Park Dr (not shown on map).
Groceries and general facilities available here. |
|
38.6 |
Intersection
with El Dorado Hills Blvd (on left) and Salmon Falls Rd (on right). |
|
42.3 |
Ride
ends at corner of Serrano Parkway and El Dorado Hills Blvd. |
| Alternate
2: Deer Valley Rd (lighter traffic, but a few more hills) Adds 2.3 miles to ride and 400’ additional climbing, but traffic much lighter and more scenic ride). |
|
31.0 |
Turn
Right onto Deer Valley Rd.
Lighter traffic now.
Rolling hills next 3 miles |
|
34.0 |
Begin
1.4 mile climb |
|
35.4 |
Top
of climb. |
|
38.1 |
Deer
Valley Rd ends.
Turn Right on Green Valley Rd. |
|
40.9 |
Intersection
with El Dorado Hills Blvd (on left) and Salmon Falls Rd (on right). |
|
44.6 |
Ride
ends at corner of Serrano Parkway and El Dorado Hills Blvd. |