The El Dorado Trail is a concept for a trail that spans the entire length of El Dorado County from the western county line to the Lake Tahoe Basin. The current alignment of the El Dorado Trail includes two railroad rights-of-way: the Michigan-California railroad right-of-way and the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor. Some segments are already completed with Class I Bike Paths, other segments are currently in development, open for use as a natural trail, or are proposed for improvement.

Trails Now is a local non-profit organization working together with local government agencies, including EDCTC, to develop the El Dorado Trail. They have posted a map of existing segments of the El Dorado Trail here: http://www.trailsnow.org/maps.htm

PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The El Dorado Trail Corridor currently extends from the western El Dorado County line to the Camino area just east of Placerville. The ultimate vision is for it to extend all the way to Lake Tahoe, but an alignment east of Camino is yet to be determined. El Dorado County and the City of Placerville have developed segments of the trail from Clay Street in the City of Placerville to Los Trampos Road near Camino, including the spectacular overpass of Highway 50.
Click here for Trail Map

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RAIL/TRAIL CORRIDOR

In July 1991, the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor Joint Powers Authority (SPTC-JPA) was formed to purchase the Sacramento-Placerville railroad corridor from Southern Pacific Railway Corporation. The preserved corridor will be used as an alternative transportation corridor, including multiple uses along several sections.

El Dorado County has prepared the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor Master Plan which identifies multiple uses including excursion trains, bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian trails, and utility easements.

The SPTC JPA meets regularly throughout the year, meeting dates and information is available on their website www.sptc-jpa.org.

The 28-mile segment of the SPTC in El Dorado County extends from the eastern end of the County near the Latrobe area to the western portion of the City of Placerville. Chapter five of the El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan includes proposals to develop Class I Bike Path along the entire SPTC Corridor (more).

The 28-mile segment of the SPTC in El Dorado County extends from the eastern end of the County near the Latrobe area to the western portion of the City of Placerville.

Chapter five of the El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan includes proposals to develop Class I Bike Path along the entire SPTC Corridor. (more)

ONGOING PROJECTS

EDCTC is working with the City of Placerville and El Dorado County to continue development of the El Dorado Trail. The following projects were either recently completed or are currently in progress.

Main Street to Ray Lawyer Drive in Placerville - EDCTC and the City of Placerville are working with Caltrans to obtain ownership of the right-of-way in this area which is currently owned by Caltrans. EDCTC and the City are working collaboratively to obtain grant funding for construction of a Class I Bike Path through this area. This segment is a top priority project in the City of Placerville’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan.

Forni Road/Ray Lawyer Drive to Missouri Flat Road - This segment was recently developed as a Class I Bike Path and includes bike and pedestrian improvements to the Weber Creek Trestle Bridge.

Missouri Flat Road to Oriental Road - This segment is now open as a Natural Trail. Segments to the west of Oriental Road are also open but remain unimproved. In accordance with the 2005 El Dorado County Bicycle Transportation Plan, this is the next segment slated for construction as a Class I Bike Path.