The BLM manages this area between the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic State Park and Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park. This is a particularly good place to look for nesting raptors such as Great Horned Owls, American Kestrels, Red-shouldered Hawks and White-tailed Kites. Within the unit, several excellent trails follow the South Fork of the American River and meander through shady oak woodland and occasionally, open rolling grasslands.
White-tailed Kite, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Directions: To reach the Greenwood Creek, take Highway 50 to the Ponderosa Road exit (exit 37) at Shingle Springs. Cross over the freeway and turn right onto North Shingle Road. After about 4 miles, N Shingle Road becomes Green Valley Road which comes in from the left at the intersection. In a little more than half a mile, where Green Valley continues to the right, go (continue) straight on the road, which becomes Lotus Road. Continue on Lotus for another 7 miles to Highway 49. Turn left onto 49 (toward Auburn), continue north a little over 3 miles, passing the Mother Lode River Center on the left and crossing Greenwood Creek via a small bridge. Shortly after the creek, just beyond a “River Access” sign, turn left into a paved parking area. There is a permanent restroom in the lot and an organic toilet along the trail at about 1.5 miles.
This is one of four excellent locations in and near Coloma: the Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, the Greenwood Creek River Access, the Dave Moore Nature Area, and the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic State Park.