Years ago, a train traveled this route, but the old trail has now been transformed to a hiking trail suitable to the entire family. Your senior dog will enjoy being included in this outing. Getting there is a little tricky so follow the directions below carefully. The trail itself is only 1.5 miles in distance from the parking area to the destination of Steely Fork Creek, and it involves a mere 280’ descent to the creek.
On your journey, you will pass by remnants of four train trestles, while walking along old railroad ties and pine needles. Starting from the parking area, walk past the service gate and onto Road 9N86A. Take this dirt road for just 0.3 miles and then veer left onto Trestle Trail. This trail intersection would be easy to miss, but there is a sign above the road for Trestle Trail and Steely Fork in 1.2 miles. Look for this sign and the trail on the left.
Within 0.5 miles, you come to the first of the fallen wooden trestles, once used for bridges to gap sharp turns for the trains. The trail ends at Steely Fork Creek and the site of where the main railroad bridge originally stood. This would be a great trail for beginning mountain biking or for taking out of town visitors before visiting some wineries in the area. Nearby, you can taste at Salute or Busby Cellars, or just a little farther into Fairplay you will find a number of friendly wineries. Generally, you will not be able to take your dog into the tasting room, but you will find picnic areas to secure your four-legged friend for a short time.
Directions: From Highway 50, take Exit 44A for Missouri Flat Road. Turn right onto Missouri Flat and go 1.6 miles to its end at Pleasant Valley Road. Turn left onto Pleasant Valley Road and travel 5.3 miles to a “Y” intersection with Bucks Bar Road, and go right onto Bucks Bar in the direction of Somerset, Fairplay, and Grizzly Flat. Continue on Bucks Bar Road for 4.8 miles, to its end at a four-way intersection in Somerset. Stay straight here, where you now continue on Grizzly Flat Road. In 8.3 miles on Grizzly Flat Road, you come to a “Y” intersection where you want to stay to the right. Continue 2.3 miles on Grizzly Flat Road, which veers to the left after cresting a hill. Make a left onto Sciaroni Road and travel 0.5 miles to a right turn onto Capps Crossing Road. Take Capps Crossing Road 3.0 miles to the entrance to Trestle Trail (Road 9N86) on the right. This is a dirt road taking you in 0.7 miles to the trailhead and parking area. If there has been late season snowfall, you may wish to park at the top and walk down the 0.7 miles to avoid getting a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.
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El Dorado County
