With a mix of blue oak woodland, savanna, and expansive grasslands, a trip along Latrobe Road has a diversity of habitats and is one of the few areas in Sacramento County to have a real sense of remoteness. Even if the birding is slow, the scenery makes the trip worthwhile. Please note that a vehicle with moderate clearance is required to travel beyond the second crossing of Crevis Creek and four-wheel-drive may be needed for several sections of this road. Also, due to its remoteness, Latrobe Road often serves as an illegal dumping ground and as an occasional shooting gallery. Caution is always advised and going with a friend is wise. Docent-led walks are offered by the Sacramento Valley Conservancy, and a public access plan is in development. For more information, visit Sacramento Valley Conservancy.
Band-tailed Pigeon, Image by Chris Conard
Birding the site: This route starts at the mostly well-graded dirt road at Latrobe Road’s junction with Stone House Road. Within the first mile, much of the species diversity is encountered, so if you have a passenger car and can only access this section, it is still worth a visit. Lewis’s Woodpeckers are often present near this junction and near the second creek crossing, though their numbers vary widely from year to year. At the rocky canyon area at mile 0.4, it is always worth getting out of the car and looking around. This is one of the best places in Sacramento County for Rock Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows away from Folsom Lake.
Typical foothill species such as Western Bluebirds, Lark Sparrows, and Lesser Goldfinches abound. Less commonly, you may encounter a Phainopepla. Lawrence’s Goldfinches occur here irregularly in winter, but typically breed in the area in low numbers. If very lucky, you could find Band-tailed Pigeons, a Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jays, a Greater Roadrunner, or a Northern Pygmy-Owl. Owling attempts may be rewarded with Lesser Nighthawks, Common Poorwill, Western Screech-Owls, and Great Horned Owls. This area is under-birded and has a lot of potential.
The first creek crossing can usually be negotiated by a passenger car. The second crossing, at mile 1.0, is often flooded, but usually passable in a vehicle with moderate clearance and a driver with a little courage. A third creek crossing is a little rougher than the first, but usually poses no serious obstacle. Be careful and know your car’s limits; walking is also an option.
At 2.4 miles, the blue oaks give way to open country with a species mix like that described for Scott Road. Mountain Bluebirds (rare) are sometimes found here. Spring wildflowers are a highlight not to be missed. The road is muddy after a rain and often has large puddles, but it is usually passable. It was along this section that the Central Valley’s first Cassin’s Sparrow was found. eBird Sightings
At the junction at mile 4.0, Michigan Bar Road heads to the right (see the next section). If you go straight ahead, Latrobe Road changes to South Shingle Road (the signs are often down or shot). Continuing straight, you travel through similar open country and cross shortly into El Dorado County on a rough and sometimes muddy route. At mile 6.0 you reach pavement and the advance of development which may continue to sprawl all the way to the county line. At mile 8.0, you reach the other Latrobe Road; the name changes are a source of much confusion. After a left turn and another eight miles, you will reach El Dorado Hills and Highway 50.
Back at mile 4.0, a right turn onto Michigan Bar Road will take you over the Cosumnes River and toward Highway 16 (Jackson Highway). If traveled in reverse, this is an alternate access to the areas above the second crossing of Crevis Creek. See the following section for more details.
Directions: Access 1: From downtown Sacramento (5.3 miles east of Interstate 5), exit Highway 50 at Howe Avenue and head south to Folsom Boulevard. Turn left; then in 0.5 mile, turn right on Jackson Highway (Highway 16). From Folsom Boulevard, it is 13.8 miles to Dillard Road. Continue another 0.8 mile and turn left on Latrobe Road. After 3.3 miles the road becomes dirt at the junction with Stone House Road, which makes a 90-degree bend here, requiring caution to cross it.
Access 2: From the Prairie City Road Exit off of Highway 50 (21 miles from downtown Sacramento at Interstate 5), head south until the road dead ends at White Rock Road. Turn left (east) on White Rock Road, and continue to a right on Scott Road. After 8.0 miles, turn left on Latrobe Road. The description above begins with the dirt road (at the junction with Stone House Road) 0.1 mile east of the Scott Road junction.