South Fork American River Trail Nears Completion

Imagine being able to travel on foot, bicycle or horse from the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area all the way to the rural beauty of the South Fork American River in the Coloma-Lotus Valley. Imagine doing so on a trail dedicated to recreation and the enjoyment of oak woodlands, conifer, chaparral, and the riverside.

That long-held hope is now on its way to being a reality. The final land parcel that completes the 20-mile route (see a PDF map) was sold by a couple who decided to protect its natural habitat for the public to enjoy. Funds that purchased it were provided by the State Wildlife Conservation Board, the State Resources Agency's River Parkways Grant Program, and over 400 private donors. All this, plus the work that had been done on the rest of the trail route, was coordinated by the American River Conservancy (ARC).

The 20-mile trail has been 20 years in the making. Its completion is a source of great excitement for those who have been hoping and working for it since 1989, as well as the many who have come along since then and enjoy the prospect of traveling so far in the richness of nature in their own back yards.

Funds are still needed to bring the trail into reality. The ARC estimates it will cost $175K to complete trail construction and provide a few pedestrian bridges at stream crossings and interpretive signage at the trailheads. The official ribbon cutting is planned for the late spring of 2010. Contributions to the South Fork American River Trail Campaign can be sent to: The American River Conservancy, P.O. Box 562, Coloma, CA. 95613. For further information regarding trail project donations, please contact: David Morrill, ARC Marketing and Development Director at (530) 621-1224.

The completion of the South Fork American River Trail brings an even greater dream closer to reality. With regional coordination, it could become a key segment within a larger regional trail that would span the approximately 50 miles from downtown Sacramento (Sutter’s Fort) to Coloma (Sutter’s Mill). Parcel by parcel, this dream is moving to reality.

American River Festival makes Big Donations

The 2007 American River Festival raised a whopping $3550! The festival took place at several American River-front locations around Coloma over the June 22-23rd weekend. Featured events included the West Coast Rafting Championships, river-boarder cross, kayak slalom race, kids kayak clinics, auction, dinner, and even hot air balloon rides. Thank you to local volunteer event organizer Bobbie Housand, who has spearheaded this for 7 years, as well as her crew of about 50 dedicated volunteers.

The American River Conservancy received one half of all the funds raised: approximately $1,750. Other conservation organizations that were awarded donations included American Whitewater and Friends of the River each receiving $700, the American Canoe Association which received $350, and the Tulomne River Trust was awarded $50.

For more information about the ARF, see americanriverfestival.org. Thank you to everyone who participated to make this fundraiser and community event so successful!

Off Season Chili Bar Put-In Operation

Posted for Mike Bean - As many of you have already discovered, this year the gate to the lower parking area at Chili Bar Put-In on the South Fork of the American River is being left open during daylight hours. The upper lot which is not part of the conservation easement owned and managed by the American River Conservancy (ARC) will most likely remain closed. It would be helpful for people parking in the lower lot to keep an eye out for dumping, campfires, vandalism, or other activities that would make it difficult to keep the gate open during the off season. Monies collected by private and commercial users of Chili Bar Put-In go to pay for seasonal staff and maintenance of the lower parking lot facilities. Any profit seen during a season goes into a disaster fund for major repairs. When funds in disaster fund reach $70,000, any profits are to be used for conservation activities performed by ARC. ARC has submitted a grant to acquire Richard De Chants' interest in the Chili Bar property and transfer the underlying fee title portion of the property to El Dorado County.

I would like to thank those that support ARC through their use of Chili Bar Put-In as well as those that support ARC through donations and volunteer time. The American River Conservancy is working hard to increase riverside habitat and water quality which I think directly benefits the experience of boaters on the South Fork of the American River.

Thanks again,
Mike Bean
Board Member
American River Conservancy

photo credit: Donna McMaster