The
site is located approximately two miles west of the Marshall
Gold Discovery State Park at Coloma on Highway 49 in El Dorado County,
California, along the scenic and popular South Fork American River. One of the
main features of the Dave Moore Nature Area is a loop trail about a mile long
which goes from the parking lot trail head to the South Fork American River and
back again passing through several habitat types. Nestled in the heart of Gold
Rush Country, the trail is lined with remnants from nearly 150 years ago when
Chinese laborers channeled creek water by hand with pick and shovel for gold
mining. Tailing piles from the Gold Rush period blanket the area which lend to
the characteristic landscape that makes this area so unique. About half of the
trail is constructed to be fully accessible to people with wheelchairs, walkers
and strollers.
Directions: From Eastbound Highway 50 -Take the Ponderosa Road exit and go over the freeway bridge to the stop sign. Turn right on North Shingles Road and proceed for three miles. Turn left at the "Y" onto Lotus Road and continue for five miles heading north. Turn left at Highway 49 and cross the bridge at the river. Continue for about one mile along Hwy 49. The entrance is on the left at the cobblestone wall. From Eastbound Interstate 80 - Take the Highway 49 exit heading south at the town of Auburn. Continue along Hwy 49 through the towns of Cool and Pilot Hill, approximately a 14 mile drive. The entrance will be three miles south of Pilot Hill on the right at the cobblestone wall.
The Dave Moore Nature Area, although on Federal land, is a cooperative project, involving a large support base of volunteers, local state government agencies and other private citizens. In 1993 a monument and plaque was constructed in dedication to our friend and colleague Dave Moore who was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis at age 35 and retired from the BLM in 1987. He is our inspiration. The dedication and grand opening of the Nature Area took place on National Trails Day June 4, 1994.
Location
The Nature Area is located approximately 2 miles west of the Marshall Gold
Discovery State Park at Coloma on Highway 49 in El Dorado County, California,
along the scenic and popular South Fork American River.
Description
One of the main features of the Dave Moore Nature Area is a loop trail about a
mile long which goes from the parking lot trail head to the South Fork American
River and back again passing through several habitat types. Nestled in the heart
of Gold Rush Country, the trail is lined with remnants from nearly 150 years ago
when Chinese laborers channeled creek water by hand with pick and shovel for
gold mining. Tailing piles from the Gold Rush period blanket the area which lend
to the characteristic landscape that makes this area so unique. About half of
the trail is constructed to be fully accessible to people with wheelchairs,
walkers and strollers.
David Moore was born June 4, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee, and died August 13,
2001, in Calistoga, California. He graduated from Calistoga High School in 1967.
After graduation, he entered the Navy and served for a term of four years, then
attended Humboldt State University where he graduated in 1975. For the next ten
years, Moore was employed by the Bureau of Land Management as a Conservation
Ranger. He was stricken with multiple sclerosis at age 35 and forced to retire
in 1987. Moore was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, whitewater raft,
and golf. His disability brought to his co-workers such an awareness of the
struggle faced by disabled persons that they developed a nature area for the
physically challenged along the South Fork of the American River near Coloma,
California. On June 4, 1994, National Trails Day and Moore's 46th birthday, the
staff of the Folsom Field Office held a grand opening of the Nature Area, and
dedicated it as the Dave Moore Nature Area.
Mailing Address & Phones
Bureau of Land Management
Folsom Field Office
63 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Phone Number: (916) 985-4474
Fax Number: (916) 985-3259
Directions
From Eastbound Highway 50 - Take the Ponderosa Road exit and go over the freeway
bridge to the stop sign. Turn right on North Shingle Road and proceed for 3
miles. Turn left at the "Y" onto Lotus Road and continue for 5 miles
heading north. Turn left at Highway 49 and cross the bridge at the river.
Continue for about 1 mile along Hwy 49. The entrance is on the left at the
cobblestone wall.
From Eastbound Interstate 80 - Take the Highway 49 exit heading south at the
town of Auburn. Continue along Hwy 49 through the towns of Cool and Pilot Hill,
approximately a 14 mile drive. The entrance will be 3 miles south of Pilot Hill
on the right at the cobblestone wall.
Visitor Activities
Special wheelchair-accessible trail, hiking, picnicking, nature study, bird
watching, hobby gold prospecting, swimming and white water rafting (Class-III).
Permits, Fees, Limitations
Although donations are accepted, there are no fees to enter the site. The Nature
Area is open from 8:00 am to sunset.
Camping and Lodging Facilities
Camping is not permitted on-site. Day use only.
Food and Supplies
Food and supplies are available within a mile of the Nature Area in the town of
Coloma. Potable water is not available. Bring your own water.
First Aid
Nearest medical facilities are in the town of Placerville.
Additional Information
There are nine parcels of Public Land along the South Fork American River. All
of these parcels are available for public use and enjoyment. Only one, however,
is accessible by automobile -- the Dave Moore Nature Area. The rest can only be
reached by boat from the river. The river passes by many points of scenic and
historical significance (the Dave Moore Nature Area being one of them) and in
addition, provides for a wide variety of recreational activities.
The South Fork American River is very popular because the rapids are relatively
gentle and the countryside is rich in history. If you are not an experienced
rafter, we suggest you make your trip with one the the commercial companies who
operate on the river. All operators have met strict standards for safety and
quality of service.
