We hadn't really planned on making a trip this weekend, but decided Friday afternoon that the Pony Express Trail would make a nice trip for Saturday. We piled into the LR3, and headed for Ice House Road, north of Placerville on Hwy. 50. The books will tell you to take Ice House Road to Weber Mill Road (11N38) - what they won't tell you is that the signpost for Weber Mill Road is a 3' x 5' slab of decomposing plywood with the name spray-painted on it! There is an official trail marker there as well, with the 'XP' symbol designating it as part of the original Pony Express route which operated from April 1860 to October 1861.
The trail is rated as DR: 2. Except for the last mile or so, that is an accurate rating. This area is still recovering from some fairly recent forest fires, so the skyline is primarily new-growth forest with some surviving trees standing out above them. The road follows the ridge and has multiple turnouts which provide excellent views of the canyon and South Fork of the American River. Eventually, the trail returns to the forest, winding amongst the Sugar Pines.
We had originally planned on following 11N38G to the old Weber Mill Site, but never found the turnoff. The spur trails are poorly marked and most of the intersection markers are missing. In the end, we followed the trail as far as the seasonal closure gate and let the kids jump out and throw rocks and acorns for a while. The last mile or two of the Pony Express Trail has deteriorated somewhat and this section approaches DR: 3 in difficulty due to a rocky roadbed covered in loose soil that can make traction a little more difficult.
The Pony Express Trail is a great afternoon drive that provides wonderful views and a unique sense of history.Directions:
Hwy. 50 East to Ice House Road
Turn left onto Ice House Road, heading North
Turn right onto Weber Mill Road (11N38)
11N38 connects to Hwy. 50 near White Hall
Trail Notes:
The Pony Express Trail begins as a somewhat narrow shelf road and has many turnouts that make great places for picnics or photography. Once you pass the intersection with 11N38A, there are fewer places to stop. The last mile or two of the trail has weathered, exposing the rocky roadbed with a covering of loose, sandy soil. Although not particularly difficult, this section has a downward angle, so take it slow and don't jump on the brakes. There is a Visitor Information Center on Ice House Road about .5 miles before the turnoff for Weber Mill Road with restrooms and water. The trail runs roughly parallel to Hwy. 50 and eventually intersects with it - turn right to head back toward Sacramento.
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