Olmstead Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Starting and ending in Cool, this loop trail moves through the heart of Auburn State Recreation Area offering you a pleasant run through forests, creeks, and open fields with only modest elevation change.

This trail is also the track for the annual Cool Mountain Bike Race.

Head north from the Knickerbocker parking lot. The trail parallels CA-49 for about 300 yards before turning left and deeper into the park. Head up the small hill and then turn right to stay on the loop trail. Ranch Road Trail is straight ahead. The Western States Trail briefly joins from the right at 0.7 miles. Continue straight and then follow the road to the right. The trail heads up the next hill and makes a sharp left turn at 1.4 miles as Pointed Rocks Fire Break Trail joins. Pass the other end of Ranch Road Trail at 1.8 miles.

The trail meanders south through lightly forested terrain with gentle elevation change. Cross the paved Saint Florian Court at 3.5 miles and reach Knickerbocker Creek shortly thereafter. Passing the creek is usually easy without getting your feet wet if you carefully hop across the small rocks. Enter mostly open fields at 4.5 miles and make a sharp left turn at 5.7 miles. Several named and unnamed trails will join on either side.

The trail turns north again at 6.6 miles as you reach the first houses south of Cool. Cross Cave Valley Trail at 7.7 miles and reach Knickerbocker Creek 500 yards further. This crossing can be slightly more difficult as it is more of a wide meadow area which gets flooded after rain. Continue up the last hill on the southern side of Cool and return to the parking lot.

The trail was created in recognition of Dan Olmstead, a bike shop owner with a passion for the outdoors. His mission was to create harmony between bikers, pedestrians, and equestrians.