auburn state recreation area

The Auburn State Recreation Area (between Auburn and Cool) has miles of excellent hiking, biking and equestrian trails. We love this area in the spring (it's a little too hot for us to hike it in the summer). We are also avid Geocachers (geocaching.com) and love to "use billion dollar satellites to hunt for Tupperware in the woods". There are many geocaches on these trails and even more on the trails in Cool and Pilot Hill. The river is beautiful and I'm so glad this area is in our backyard.

Trails are easy to access, simple to navigate and come in a variety of lengths and difficulty levels. There is lots of great scenery, a few nice bridges and it makes for good photos as well. There's usually parking available, but don't leave valuables in sight in your car. I saw plenty of dogs on the trails as well.

If you haven't ventured up to the Auburn State Recreation Area, you'll find miles of easily accessible and (mostly) well marked trails to explore. These are best enjoyed during spring, fall and winter when daytime highs are < 85˚F (< 30˚C).TIP: Stop by a local sports store and pick up the local trail guide - the skinny one in the manila jacket. It'll be invaluable in selecting which trail you'll choose at every intersection. You can find at the local bike shop, or at REI in Roseville or Sacramento. You can also find local trails marked on bandanas for sale in nearby Cool, at the Cool Feed & Ranch Supply (http://bit.ly/1A05tIf).SECOND TIP: Springtime means lots of ticks! I got bit by a deer tick in early April and never strayed off the trail. Pack a pair of reading glasses (3x or higher) and a good pair of tweezers, and check immediately if you feel a sting. Best to put all your hiking gear in a bag and washing in hot water at home.Post-hike suggestions include Royal Thai restaurant, Auburn Alehouse and Knee Deep Brewing (5 stars for Knee Deep!). Other than that, check Yelp or Trails.com for descriptions of routes and scenery ... read up, hit the trail and enjoy!