_ Date: February 17, 2012
Trail: Monroe Ridge to Marshall Monument Trails, Coloma
Temp: 63-55 Degrees
Mileage: 3.5 Mile Loop
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Time: 1 Hour 6 Minutes

The Monroe Ridge Trail is one that I’ve wanted to do for some time. Living in the area where gold was discovered means the weekdays in Coloma are filled with school buses full of kids on field trips, and weekends are filled with families looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a picnic in the “wilderness.”

Coloma’s easy access to Highway 50, well established museum and river access make it a very popular tourist destination.

Trail blazers Eric and Shannon joined me today as we searched for the well hidden trail head. We took Highway 153 (California’s shortest State highway) up to Marshall Monument where we easily found the trail head just a short distance from the Monroe Orchard.

Today, Eric brought along a pack they used to carry their son, Hunter, in. I was thankful. The Kelty Kid wire frame pack gave me a good sampling of the type of equipment I’ll have for Mt. Whitney, and reminded me the sooner I get my equipment to train with, the better.

The trail starts out fairly wide, but quickly becomes single track. There are many “vista points” which feature stunning views of the American River running through Coloma and Gold Discovery Park as well as Lotus and Hennessey Park. The way that the trail is built, it runs along the ridge, and switchbacks for a full 360 degree view of the surrounding Coloma River Valley.

This hike is impressive, even for locals. The elevation gain is enough to have you panting while talking and the distance is decent enough to call exercise. Part of the trail features wood bridges and staircases that cross the inactive flume trail/irrigation ditch.

At the end of the first 3 miles, you run plum into Highway 49, at this point you walk through the park a bit towards the teepees and other historic elements to the Marshall Monument Trail, which is another ½ mile to the impressive James Marshall monument. The monument towers above the park with a statue of Marshall himself pointing to the place where gold was first discovered.

This dual-trail combination makes for a great after work (3:30) weekday hike, especially since it’s the one time of day that the area is quiet.

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