Rattlesnake Bar Horseshoe Trail

Enjoy a day hike in the Auburn area!

Pioneer Express Trail

Directions: I-80 East at the Capital City Freeway, drive 15 miles east on I-80 to Loomis and exit at Horseshoe Bar Road. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Horseshoe Bar Road; bear left and immediately take the next left turn onto Horseshoe Bar Road. Continue on Horseshoe Bar Road 3.4 miles to Auburn-Folsom Road. Turn left and drive 2.3 miles to Newcastle Road, where you will turn right and follow it 1 mile to Rattlesnake Road. Turn right and follow the road another mile to the pavement end. To the left is the boat-launch area; the right fork leads to your trailhead. Drive slowly over the chuck holed road and keep right about 1,000 feet to reach a large dirt parking lot conveniently located in front of the trailhead. The trailhead sits behind some boulders about ten feet inside the trees opposite the lake. A large sign indicates the mileage and directions on the Pioneer Express Trail.

Dogs: Yes Leash Required: Yes

Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 4.7 miles, out and back
Difficulty: Easy

Sources: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Sacramento
Access: $5.00 parking fee
Facilities: None at trailhead; toilet at boat ramp
Special Comments: No water available at trailhead or on trail. Bring an adequate amount of fresh water, wear water proof boots.

Description: This hike starts at Rattlesnake Bar, where Folsom Lake nears its upstream boundary and you can select your preferred endpoint, the near side or far side of Horseshoe Bar Road on the other side of the U. Rattlesnake Bar was covered with hundreds of houses, cabins, and tents in the 1850s and was one of several bars connected by trails from the river to the Auburn-to-Sacramento Road.

The hike was a pleasant 2-plus miles.  The return trip seemed easier and not as steep – as return trips always seem, perhaps because it's now familiar territory.  One highlight coming back was seeing some deer, including a nice buck.  The other highlight was that, even on a day in the upper 90s, we didn't encounter a single rattler sunning itself on the trail – not even at Rattlesnake Bar.  I encourage you to try this trail if you are a local or just visiting the area.  When you are done you can linger at the water’s edge or explore for more blackberries. The Pioneer Express Trail continues 6 more miles to Granite Bay, and beyond that it travels 37 miles to Discovery Park in Sacramento. Your route back retraces your path.