This course begins/ends in the William Pond Recreation Area in Carmichael, just 0.1 mile from this lovely bridge across the American River (photo right).

In warm weather rafters frequently will be seen floating down the river.

In the fall spawning salmon can be seen swimming upstream to the Nimbus fish hatchery.

A very short distance to the east you will bike along piles of rocks excavated in the past by gold dredgers (photo left).  Note how these relics of ancient river beds have been smoothed by eons of turbulence.

A little further to the east you will cross the Hazel Avenue Bridge (photo below left), just downstream from Nimbus Dam (photo below right).  In the fall large numbers of salmon fishermen will be in the river trying their luck.

A little further east you will bike past Lake Natoma, the Folsom Historic Truss Bridge, and Folsom Dam.  You will get a brief glimpse of Folsom Lake at Beals Point just before you leave the bike trail for Auburn-Folsom Road.

Auburn-Folsom Road can have moderate traffic, but the shoulder is adequate.  You will encounter your first mini-climb of the day as you enter Auburn, where you will get a respite at Rest Stop #1.

Roads paralleling I-80 take you from Auburn to Colfax.  My favorite road in this section is Applegate Road, which features some nice tree covered areas.  Before long you will arrive in Colfax, where Rest Stop #2 awaits you.  The Colfax Rest Stop marks the approximate mileage half-way point; of course, a greater percentage of the climbing lies ahead.

Just a couple miles east of Colfax take a moment to note the Cape Horn Historical Marker (photos right & left), from which you can view "Cape Horn," where Chinese laborers were lowered in baskets to create the Central Pacific railroad bed.

A short downhill next takes you to Rollins Lake, where you start the Norton Grade climb.  Norton Grade is quiet, shady, and pretty.  At the end of Norton Grade a short, somewhat steep section takes you to Magra Road.  Magra Road, along with several other portions of the course, was part of the original US 40 Route, before being replaced by I-80. 

Just prior to Gold Run you will exit Magra Road and start the I-80 section.  As there are no alternative routes, bicycles are permitted on this portion of interstate highway (photo left).

These twenty-two miles are not particularly fun:  traffic often is heavy and routinely is very fast, passing vehicles are noisy, flat tires are increased in frequency (metal spicules from belts of disintegrated truck tires), and the road surface - while intermittently ok - can be just terrible with cracks, fissures, rocks, sand, gravel, and truck tire fragments. 

It is especially important to be sure that on & off ramps are clear of approaching traffic as you cross them.  Traffic moves very fast (much faster than customary experience), and you may be surprised how rapidly vehicles approaching behind you catch up and pass.

Although I never have encountered a serious problem on I-80, I always breath a sigh of relief when I exit at Cisco Grove and resume cycling on "normal" roads.   

The next section, along Hampshire Rocks Road, is beautiful and follows the South Yuba River (photo left). 

I always stop to eat (my own food) at the Rainbow Lodge fountain (there is a restaurant but no store). 

If you need to purchase food, it isn't far to the Kingvale store. 

The climb along Donner Pass Road (Eastward) is relatively gradual; the climb (Westward) from Donner Lake to Donner Pass is steeper, although it never exceeds about 8%.  I love the Donner Pass / Donner Lake area and enjoy its alpine appearance (see Tahoe-Donner Alpi).  After the fun descent from Donner Pass to Donner Lake, you will ride along the north shore of Donner Lake into Truckee (a town which is evolving but currently still retains historical charm) and journey's end (photo right).

A very strong rider might continue on to Lake Tahoe (via Hwy 89 or Hwy 267).  Traveling further to Reno should await another day.