Touring * Fitness * Slalom *

The starting point for this route is the NIMBUS FISH HATCHERY. Find driving directions in the "Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail West" description. Other access points with parking are:

NIMBUS FLAT across Hazel Ave from the fish hatchery

WILLOW CREEK picnic area on Folsom Blvd 0.7 mi. north of US 50 and 2.8 mi. south of Greenback Lane. (This can be accessed only from the southbound lanes of Folsom Blvd

PARKSHORE DRIVE on the west side of Folsom Blvd 1.6 mi. north of US 50.

FOLSOM HISTORIC DISTRICT 2.8 mi. north of US 50 on Folsom Blvd.

NEGRO BAR STATE PARK on Greenback Lane 8.5 mi. East of Interstate 80.

This trail is a loop around Lake Natoma from Hazel Ave to the historic district of Folsom and back. The trail on the Northwest side of the lake is described in the "Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail - Lake Natoma" trail description. The trail on the southeast side of the lake described here is more challenging with more hills and turns, but it is also more scenic. To avoid skating down the steep slope under the north end of the Hazel Ave bridge, skate the loop in a counterclockwise direction, or if skating clockwise, cross the Hazel Ave bridge on the right (east) side and walk down the stairs to the bike trail. The route described below is in the counterclockwise direction.

Cumulative mileage from the starting point at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is indicated in parentheses.

Starting at the southeast corner of the NIMBUS FISH HATCHERY near the parking lot entrance take the trail that first climbs towards the Hazel Ave bridge and then descends to loop under the bridge. The area between the bridge and the Nimbus dam is a popular fishing area. Watch for cars coming up from the river crossing the trail as you skate back up on the other side of the bridge. Follow the trail as is winds around the CSUS Aquatic Center to enter the Nimbus Flat picnic area (0.7 mi.).

Bear left on the paved path before crossing the NIMBUS FLAT picnic area entrance road to slowly skate the concrete walk along the shore, avoiding picnickers, ducks, and geese. The lake has a 5 mph speed limit and is frequented by beginning sailors and rowing crew teams. Take advantage of the restrooms and water here, as there is no water along this route for the next five miles. At the end of the concrete path cross the parking lot and take the bike trail heading away from the lake. Turn left upon reaching a small road (1.3 mi.) to the continuation of the trail (1.4 mi.). The road was recently widened by adding a smooth strip of asphalt along the north side. Once back on the trail go down a small hill and through a few turns to reach a wood decked bridge over Alder Creek (1.6 mi.). After the bridge the trail continues through an open pine woodland between US 50 and Lake Natoma. As you near the US50-Folsom Blvd interchange the trail climbs up onto a bluff. At the top of this climb a spur trail (2.3 mi.) leads to Folsom Blvd. Stay on the main trail along the lake. A railing ahead on the left is good place to take a break and watch the rowing crews practice. After entering back into the woods watch for the trail to drop steeply and turns left (2.7 mi.). Watch for bicycles entering from two side trails on the right. At the bottom of this decent is the Willow Creek picnic area (3.1 mi.).

From the WILLOW CREEK picnic area continue straight across the entrance road and up to a bridge made from a railroad flat car crossing Willow Creek (3.2 mi.). After the bridge the trail goes over a series of rock piles that are the result of gold dredging operations. After passing behind several office buildings a spur trail to the right (4.1 mi.) leads to the Parkshore Drive trailhead.

At the spur trail leading to the PARKSHORE DRIVE trailhead continue straight on the main trail heading north along the lake. There are several picnic tables along this section. Shortly after you pass a monument on the left (5.0 mi.) placed by the Boy Scouts the trail has several tight turns and a couple of short climbs before reaching the Lake Natoma Crossing bridge where Folsom Blvd crosses the lake. Stay to the left when the trail splits to skate under this large bridge. Turn into the parking lot on the right after crossing under the bridge (5.7 mi.). You are now in the Folsom historic district with numerous shops and restaurants close by. Skate up the parking lot entrance road on your right to reach the sidewalk on the bridge. To continue from the FOLSOM HISTORIC DISTRICT skate across the Lake Natoma Crossing bridge using the sidewalk on the right (east) side of bridge. Watch for expansion joints at either end and in the center of the bridge. There is a concrete barrier to separate the sidewalk from the automobile traffic on the bridge and there are several places along the bridge to stop and enjoy the view. At the north end of the bridge (6.2 mi.) follow the concrete switchback path down to the bike trail CAUTION: breaking skills are required here to be able to make the sharp turns on this path. If you are not confident with your breaking skills use the alternate route described below.

***ALTERNATE ROUTE: From the north end of the Lake Natoma Crossing bridge, cross Greenback lane at the traffic light and turn right onto the sidewalk. Turn left onto a bike trail just before reaching Rainbow Bridge. Skate down this access trail to the main trail and turn right. Skate under Rainbow Bridge and down to the restrooms and drinking fountain at the bottom of the switchback path coming down from the Lake Natoma Crossing.***

From the concrete path continue down and to the left at the first trail and turn a sharp right at the stop sign (6.3 mi.) to get on the main trail headed back to Hazel Ave. There is a restroom and drinking fountain here. There is a second drinking fountain on the right just after crossing under the Lake Natoma Crossing and over another small bridge over Hinkle Creek. There are now a few turns, some hills, and a large parking lot before passing a horse staging area. Just after the staging area a spur trail leads to the main beach at Negro Bar (7.1 mi.). This is a popular swimming and picnicking spot. You can also rent kayaks here in the summer for a paddle on the lake. Take advantage of the restrooms and water here, as there is no water along the remainder of this route.

To continue from NEGRO BAR, skate past the beach and the horse staging area. The trail climbs slightly and then drops down to water level and skirts the bottom of the bluffs. It then crosses a small creek (8.2 mi.) and climbs a long hill. You are now skating the route described in the "Jedediah Smith National Memorial Trail - Lake Natoma" description in the reverse direction. Follow that description back to the Hazel Ave bridge and the starting point (11.6 mi.).

• Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail Map - Offical Trail Map in pdf format

• Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail - Lake Natoma
• Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail East