Hiking Your Way Through El Dorado County

Some of the best moments in life are those that are stolen. Moments where you find yourself in places where the air is filled with the scent of pine and that rustling you hear in the distance is a creek, its banks swollen with winter runoff.

Regardless of the time of year, thousands of people make their way to El Dorado County to enjoy the endless hiking trails, the challenging bike trails and the limitless recreation that this county has to offer. Here are just a few of trails in El Dorado County:

• Forebay Reservoir: Forebay Reservoir is located on Forebay Road in Pollock Pines. It sits at the 4000 ft. elevation and is easy to find, being located just off Highway 50 and the Sly Park Exit. The reservoir offers great daytime recreation, including a picnic area, trails to walk around the lake and an opportunity to drop in a fishing line.

• Echo Lake: Echo Lake trailhead is one of the more popular entry points to Desolation Wilderness. Echo Lake sits at about the 7300 ft. elevation. It provides the most direct route to Lake Aloha and Rockbound Valley, two popular destinations. For those who want a shorter hike, three lakes along the trail to Lake Aloha offer both beauty and solitude. hey are Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake and Lake of the Woods.

Lake Aloha is located along Highway 50 near the town of Meyers. This trail offers 6.8 miles of moderately difficult terrain along the Pacific Crest Trail. The lake is described by many as one of the nicest lakes along the Pacific Crest Trail and is famous for the hundreds of little islands.

• Pyramid Creek/Horsetail Falls: This is a popular summer destination for hikers. It’s short, but the ever-steepening hike along the Pyramid Creek Drainage toward Horsetail Falls, is also one of the possible routes up to Pyramid Peak. The hike starts at the sweeping curve at Twin Bridges just past the tiny town of Strawberry on Highway 50.

• Sly Park Lake and Recreation: Beyond the camping, boating, fishing and water skiing are the challenging bike and hiking trails that surround this 50-acre reservoir. The trails range from easy to difficult and take you around the lake and up into the Park Creek area where the views are spectacular. Horse back riding is available in the summer months and camping sites are open year round. Be aware that this lake is at the snow level and winter months can be severe.

As with all hiking or off road activity in El Dorado County, plan for inclement weather. Always let someone know where you’re planning to hike and try to carry a tracking device. Be aware that you are sharing the beauty of the forest with other wild life and be respectful of your surroundings.