El Dorado Trail: Front Yard to The Cut

Out in the light, back in the dark. This is a moderately-hilly 5.5 mile total out and back featuring the trail's best dynamited railroad cut, a presently-dry creek, and usually cows.

Optional extra: Make the 4 mile drive to the community observatory after to enjoy the meteor shower (even though the moon will wash it out a bit) along with the rest of the universe -- $2 parking.

To find our hike parking location:
Park in the gravel along Mother Lode by the defunct Front Yard Nursery.
If heading east along Motherlode (which should be the case if you're coming from Sacramento, Shingle Springs or Diamond Springs) you'll be looking for the gravel area on your left just after crossing the railroad tracks. If heading west on Motherlode from Placerville, it's just past Venture Road on your right before the tracks.

More info: https://www.eldoradohiking.com/el-dorado-trail-front-yard-151.html