Folsom Point juts out into the lake and is one of several good areas for scoping water birds. The open oak woodland usually harbors fair numbers of Western Bluebirds and other expected species for this habitat. Drive to the picnic area at the end of the road and scan the water. A spotting scope is beneficial in identifying any but the closest birds. eBird Sightings
Western Bluebird, Image by Mary Forrestal
Not far from Folsom Point is the Mormon Island Wetlands (see directions). From E. Natoma St, turn left and drive northeast for less than a mile on Green Valley Road, and just before reaching Sophia Parkway, the Mormon Island Wetlands will be on your right. You can park at the SP parking lot for a $5 fee or use a State Parks Pass. From the parking lot, you can take the north path, behind the yellow fence, down to and along the ravine. Another path, east out of the parking lot, goes up and over the hill. Both these paths can see heavy bike traffic, so be alert. Alternately, a right turn on Shadowfax Lane, in another 0.2 mile, will take you to the Mormon Island Cemetery. You can park along the side of Shadowfax or in front of the cemetery. There aren’t many trees in the cemetery, but the old headstones are interesting, and there have been Red-breasted Sapsuckers here. You can check the Mormon Island Wetland by walking along Shadowfax Lane and walking the informal paths through the woods. It can be good for sparrows in winter and migrants in season. Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers (irregular) can be found in the ponds. Rubber boots might be needed since it is often soggy or partially flooded. eBird Sightings
Back on Green Valley Road head northeast to the intersection with Sophia Parkway, turn left to reach the Mormon Island lake access. From the parking area, walk up the hill to get another view of the lake, and continue on a trail toward Brown’s Ravine. Rock Wrens are often found in the rocks on and near the dike, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows may be present. The trail from here to Brown’s Ravine has proven to be an excellent location for Phainopeplas. Hairy Woodpeckers (perhaps just one pair), and Purple Finches are also regularly found. eBird Sightings
Another mile east on Green Valley Road will take you to Brown’s Ravine. Turn left. Immediately past the entrance kiosk is a road on the right leading to a small parking area. This is a trailhead that leads back across the park road, through nice oak woodland toward the Mormon Island access (about two miles). The trail goes for many miles in the other direction as well. Brown’s Ravine is also a good location for scanning the lake; pass the marina to the road’s end at the boat ramp. eBird Sightings
From Brown’s Ravine, continue east on Green Valley Road for 0.7 mile and turn left on Salmon Falls Road. Unfortunately, many of the good locations to check along Salmon Falls Road, such as New York Creek, are now marked with “No Parking” signs. One exception is the large dirt lot (no fee) at Falcon Crest Lane on the north side of Salmon Falls Road (2.9 miles from Green Valley Road). Currently, there is an old wooden sign, but the metal street sign for Falcon Crest is missing. You can park here and walk a portion of the Monte Vista Trail (it is 3.5 miles to New York Creek). You can also walk or drive down the nicely forested steep road for 0.4 mile to a fee ($10) parking area called Old Salmon Falls. If the water is low, there are good views of the Old Salmon Falls Bridge in the lake. With two cars, you could do a very long shuttle hike between here and Brown’s Ravine (12 miles). More detailed information on Falcon Crest can be found here.
Yellow-breasted Chat, Image by Ray Rozema
There is still legal parking (no fee) at Sweetwater Creek. From Brown’s Ravine, continue east on Green Valley Road for 0.7 mile. Turn left on Salmon Falls Road and go 3.8 miles (0.9 mile beyond Falcon Crest Lane). Immediately after crossing the creek, park in the dirt lot on the left side of the road. The upstream portion of the riparian is private property and is conspicuously signed. From the parking area (be careful of the traffic), listen for singing California Thrashers and Yellow-breasted Chats. Mountain Quail may be heard on the chaparral slopes above. You can walk the park land on the north side of Salmon Falls Road down to Folsom Lake. The vegetation here is a mix of oak woodland and chaparral, with a thin band of riparian along Sweetwater Creek. It is best here in early morning. eBird Sightings Continue another 0.2 mile east on Salmon Falls Road (4.0 miles from Green Valley Road) to one of the few places where you can pull off the road. It is worth a quick stop to listen for more chaparral species. Unfortunately, enormous houses are carving up swaths of the habitat here.
Continuing 1.8 miles on Salmon Falls Road from Sweetwater Creek (5.6 miles from Green Valley Road) will lead to a sharp left turn to the large parking area for the Sweetwater Creek Trail ($10 fee). It is a nice walk-through oak woodland, high above the upper reaches of Folsom Lake.
Directions: To reach Folsom Point, from Highway 50, take the Folsom Boulevard exit (exit 23—18.5 miles east of Interstate 5). Go north for 1.5 miles and turn right on Blue Ravine Road. Go 4.6 miles to East Natoma Street. Turn left and go 0.5 mile. Turn right to reach the Folsom Point access.
If you go straight at the intersection of Blue Ravine Road and East Natoma Street, the road becomes Green Valley Road. From this point, it is 0.8 mile to the Mormon Island Wetlands, 1.0 mile to Shawdowfax Lane, 1.2 miles to the Mormon Island lake access opposite Sophia Parkway, and 2.2 miles to Brown’s Ravine.
To reach the Sweetwater Creek area directly, take the El Dorado Hills Boulevard exit (exit 30B) from Highway 50 (29 miles east of Interstate 5). Go north on El Dorado Hills Boulevard for 4.5 miles to Green Valley Road. Continuing straight, the road becomes Salmon Falls Road. From Green Valley Road, it is 2.9 miles to Falcon Crest Lane, 3.8 miles to Sweetwater Creek, and 5.6 miles to the Sweetwater Trail.