Back to index Rattlesnake Bar Hike
Trip Date:  02/10/2015

Distance
: 5.3 Miles

Vertical Gain: 400'

Group Size: 1
Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate   Hard   Strenuous
Rattlesnake Bar Hike
Download GPX GPX for this trip
Rattlesnake Bar Elevation Profile
Start Coordinates:   N 38 49.075, W 121 05.236     End Coordinates:   Same as Start Coordinates  
Car Shuttle Req'd:   No Parking Directions:   Take Folsom-Auburn Road on the west side of Folsom Lake to Newcastle Road and turn east.   Follow this road as it bends south and then back to the east.  The road will turn into Rattlesnake road and head back south.   Follow this road for a couple mile to the entrance of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.  There is a $12 parking fee to park in this area.
Hazards of Note:   Rattlesnakes, ticks, poison oak, mountain lions. Crowd Factor:   Moderate.   Rattlesnake Bar is a popular boat launch facility in the summer but the trail will have little to no other traffic on it.
General Notes:
From the parking area head toward the water and then turn left.  There are a number of trail possibilities at this junction but you will follow the west side of the river for this entire trail.  There are a few spots along the way to turn off onto use trails for various views along the river.  Two and a half miles up there is a junction where a sign indicates no more equestrian passage on the trail.  Turn left to circle around Avery Pond in a clock-wise manner, and then pick up the main trail back to the parking area to complete the loop.

Sign for Rattlesnake Bar at the parking area you will look for. Rattlesnake Bar
SFolsom Dam information sign near the start of the hiking area. Folsom Dam information sign
Typical look along the trail from the start.
Trail at the start
View of the North Fork of the American River from a partially obstructed section of the trail. North Fork American River
Mossy rocks along the trail. Mossy rocks alongside the trail
Crossing a series of bridges along the first section of the trail.
Trail bridge
A water fountain along the way that is fed by a gravity well. Water fountain 
Getting to Avery Pond, just at the halfway point of this hike. Getting to the Avery Pond
A look across Avery Pond.  Off to the right is a small picnic area and shaded area. A look across the pond
One more look at the water fountain near Avery Pond from near a bridge. One more look at the water
GPS Track of the full hike. GPS Track of Hike