15 Things to do Within 15 Miles of....Cool CA

I thought it would be fun to blog about some of the reasons people move to different areas around El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento counties. I figured that I would start with my 'hood. Feel free to add your favorite things within 15 miles of Cool.

1. Rafting trips -Thrilling 1/2 day, full day, multi-day trips. This is just one of the many companies providing trips: American White Water. Eric and I went on a day trip and it was terrifyingly FUN!

2. Coloma Outdoor Discovery Ropes Course - Fun for groups or team building with ropes challenges, zip lines, low and high element challenges. Call for hours and availability Coloma Resort Ropes Course

3. There's Gold in Them There Hills! See where the California Gold Rush began! 
Gold Discovery Park

4. Olmstead Loop - Located "behind" Cool, the trail head is behind the fire station . It's used by equestrians, trail runners and mountain bikers. Trails.com says "Olmstead Loop is a technically intermediate, aerobically moderate 9-mile loop that’s guaranteed to please all levels of riders, from expert to beginner. It’s also one heck of a fun ride up and down rolling grassy hills covered with oaks. Located in the Auburn State Recreation Area, the route is a combination of fire roads, wide single- and double-tracks that run like a roller coaster through short and sometimes steep hills. Not overly taxing, the rises are about 6 to 8% grades—just enough to get you breathing hard. It’s the kind of variety that puts the fun in mountain biking." There are a couple of great mountain bike races held here every year. Cool Mountain Bike Race and Coolest 24 Hour MTB Race along with an endurance trail run Way to Cool 50k

Travis and I after a very muddy Cool MTB Race March 2014

5. Hart 2 Hart Vineyards - Located along Highway 49 between Cool and Pilot Hill, it's a great place to stop after a day of local activities. Hart2Hart Vineyards

6. Fishing at Lake Walton - Just above Georgetown is a small fishing hole that has a variety of fish Lake Walton Fishing Guide

7. Georgetown - Historic Georgetown is the gateway to the Rubicon Jeep Trail, one of the premier 4 wheeling trails in the West. Although the Rubicon Trail is more than 15 miles from Cool, it's more than 15 miles from anywhere, so I included it. There are also gorgeous lakes such as Loon Lake, Stumpy Meadows, Union Valley, and Icehouse.

8. Berry Haven USA - U pick berries, veggies, pies and jellies/jams. Fresh goodness! 
Berry Haven USA is open seasonally so check the website. 

9. Music on the Divide - This is a wonderful group dedicated to bringing talented musicians to local venues. Music on the Divide

10. Robie Trail - The Robie Trail is a hiking/equestrian trail which runs along the Middle Fork of the American River. It's included as a portion of such incredible endurance events like the Western States 100 Endurance Run and Tevis Cup.

11. Mammoth Bar OHV Area - Mammoth Bar OHV Area is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area. This motorcycle/ATV riding area has been used by off road enthusiasts for nearly 25-years and offers a wide range of trails and conditions in a beautiful setting next to the Middle Fork of the American River. For more info go to Mammoth Bar OHV

12. Confluence Trail Systems - There is a fabulous network of trails which appeal to all levels of mountain bikers. Enjoy interval training, beautiful singletrack, fun filled downhill, attention demanding trails along the river's edge...this area's trails are scenic, fast and fun. No link because I'm greedy, just know they are fabulous. 

13. Bridges - There are two bridges of note at the Confluence. First, The Foresthill Bridge on SR 49 over the North Fork American River is the highest (deck height) bridge in the U.S. state of California and the fourth highest in the United States. Originally constructed to accompany the unbuilt Auburn Dam, the bridge stands 731 feet above the riverbed. There is also No Hands Bridge which was established around 1910 to connect the Mountain Quarries, a huge limestone quarry to the Southern Pacific mainline in Auburn, California. 

14. Lake Clementine - Beautiful lake with boat in camping. Great for boating kayaking, paddle boarding.

15. Auburn Lake Trails - This awesome community features a golf course, tennis courts, parks, swimming pool, two fishing ponds, and trails. The spirit of the community shows with clubs such as Silver Spurs, HOGGS golf club, COTA theater group, Youth Swim Team (Go Dolphins!), WIFFS women's club, White Hats community service group and many more. A great place to live!

That's my list of things I love within 15 miles. Cool folks, feel free to add your favorites!