BLM Mother Lode Field Office planning recreational enhancement construction projects
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EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office is planning several construction improvement projects to heighten outdoor recreational options on public lands in El Dorado County this year.
“For a short-term inconvenience, we will gain even more great outdoor recreational opportunities in the heart of the historic gold rush area, right along the beautiful South Fork of the American River,” says Mother Lode Field Manager William Haigh. “The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve. These projects will really enhance the public’s enjoyment of BLM’s recreational sites, which are so close to the Sacramento metropolitan area.”
Construction is expected to start in mid-April to put in culverts, clean out ditches and grade the main access road at the Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park near Pilot Hill. The work is designed to protect the road from water runoff to help make a smoother path for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The main access road will be closed for roughly 30 days, or until mid-May, but outdoor enthusiasts can still access Cronan Ranch via the Long Valley or West Ridge trails.
From approximately mid-May to mid-July, the Old Flume Trail Head parking lot will be relocated to a larger clearing on public land. Crews will also be improving the trail access to the new parking lot near Red Shack, north of Placerville. There will be no public parking during the 60-day construction phase.
From roughly mid-July to mid-August crews will be extending the parking lot and creating a raft staging area at the Greenwood Creek River Access, which is adjacent to the Magnolia Ranch Trail Head along Coloma Road/California State Route 49. Public parking will be limited, but the project should make loading and unloading much easier and more efficient for South Fork of the American River users.
Finally, from June to mid-October, crews will be building a new 85-foot walking, biking and equestrian bridge across Hastings Creek on the Connector Trail, between the Cronan and Magnolia ranches north of Coloma. For safety reasons the original creek crossing will not be accessible and users are encouraged to recreate elsewhere during the 120-day construction timeframe. A portion of the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead parking area will also be used as a staging area for construction crews.
The BLM manages public lands for the benefit of current and future generations. Please beware of heavy equipment, respect temporarily closed areas, and call the Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.