Touring * Slalom *

From Interstate 80 just west of Citrus Heights, exit at Antelope Road heading east and follow it for two miles to Sunrise Boulevard. Turn right on Sunrise, and then turn left onto Oak Avenue two blocks down. Follow Oak east for about five miles as it heads out into foothills country. Take American River Canyon Drive North (left) up a hill and park on the street below the waterfall at the housing development entrance.

This area can also be accessed from US 50. Take US 50 east from Sacramento exiting at Folsom Blvd. Turn left on Folsom Blvd. In three miles cross the American River on a new bridge (Lake Natoma Crossing) and continue straight on Folsom-Auburn road for another mile. Turn left on Oak Ave Parkway. In 3/4 mile turn right onto American River Canyon drive and park below the waterfall.

Bring your rubber-tipped ski poles to this irresistible housing development loop, where the streets and bike lanes are wide, the pavement is perfect, and the homes are pretty. The neighborhood is right on the edge of Gold Country, and you'll have a lofty view of the Sacramento Valley to the west as you skate. The new sidewalks alongside the loop road are too narrow for skating. But nobody parks their cars on the street, thanks to all the three-car garages, so your path to a great skate is wide open.

Unlike many of the new housing developments that are springing up all over the state, this one isn't surrounded by big walls that shut out strangers and invite graffiti artists. Another nice touch is that native trees were left in place when the homes were built, adding a mature, natural look not usually seen in neighborhoods as new as this one.

The longest downhill run is on the southeast curve of the loop going clockwise. If you skate the loop counterclockwise, you'll descend a shorter, steeper hill coming around the northeast curve. For beginners who aren't yet ready to attack the hills, a flat neighborhood park with a short stretch of concrete sidewalk can be found on the west side of the development. The suggested loop around the top of the ridge is relatively flat, but the streets that come off the ridge are very steep. They are exciting if you like speed. There are some new paved off road bike trails in this neighborhood to explore in addition to the streets. This area is only about mile from the American River and the American River Bike Trail (Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail). To skate to it go east on Oak Ave Parkway less than 1/4 mile to old Oak Ave next to the fire house. The first part of Oak Ave is closed to cars and the remainder gets little traffic. Follow Oak Ave down to Folsom-Auburn Road and the American River. Cross both Folsom-Auburn Road and Greenback Lane at the light where these two roads intersect. The bike trail can be accessed from a concrete path that switchbacks down from the road. After reaching a paved bike trail continue down to the second trail junction. Turn right to skate to Sacramento or left to Folsom Lake.