Course Updates for 2025

 

Due to levee construction in the final mile of the original Salmon Falls course between Browns Ravine and Folsom Point, we are altering our course and temporarily moving our finish line for the 2025 race. Changes to note for this year's race:

• New finish line for both distances at Browns Ravine

• Addition of Salmon Falls Ranch trails to the 50K course

• New half marathon start line at Sweetwater Trail parking lot

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2025 Salmon Falls 50K Course
2025 Salmon Falls Half Marathon Course

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About the Course

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The Salmon Fall 50K race route begins on land that people have lived on for centuries. Miwok Indian tribes were the first settlers to the area. Long ago the Miwok migrated up from the hot Central Valley in the spring and summer to fish, hunt and gather plants to eat. These first families camped near the American River until it became too hot. They then moved east on up to the cool conifer forests for the late summer season.

 

Some of the land they moved into later became known as Cronan Ranch. The Cronan Ranch area was first acquired by the Central Pacific Railroad through a Federal land patent in 1887. Michael Cronan acquired the property from the Central Pacific Railroad in 1891. The ranch was grazed by the Cronan family until 1918.

 

The 2025 course will feature a reroute due to the construction closure of the levee in our traditional final mile, but offers new trails, views and experiences near the halfway mark to rival the beauty of the original course.

 

The race will begin at the Magnolia Ranch Trail Head parking lot off Hwy 49 in Pilot Hill. Out the gate, runners will begin climbing and descending the hills of Cronan Ranch through native oak groves. After a few miles, runners enjoy views of the Sacramento Valley and Folsom Lake. Runners will then take the Hidden Valley Cut Off Trail and begin climbing towards the Pedro Hill parking area. The initial climb is just short of one mile in length, (0.8). Runners will then begin ascending the West Ridge Trail. This trail affords some of the best views in the Cronan Ranch area. Once at the top, runners follow the ridge before a long descent ending near the South Fork of the American River.

 

Continuing on, runners will pass through more native oak groves and open grass meadows. Runners will then begin ascending onto an overlook thick with manzanita. Here, the 2025 course makes its first change, taking runners down the twisty Acorn Creek Trail through a large culvert underneath Salmon Falls Road and into the Salmon Falls Ranch trail system. Runners will climb up to an overlook after the aid station, on the old roadbed of the original Salmon Falls Road. A flowy set of trials takes runners down to Darrington Trail, where they’ll run alongside the South Fork finger of Folsom Lake and possibly see some of the historic remnants of Salmon Falls if the water level is low.

 

Salmon Falls was a former settlement which was located on the South Fork of the American River. Salmon Falls was named due to nearby waterfalls and the abundance of Salmon in the river. When Folsom Lake was created in 1952 Salmon Falls and the nearby Mormon Island settlement were flooded. Parts of the Mormon Island settlement can still be seen when Folsom Lake is at its lowest levels.

 

The route continues on from Salmon Falls showcasing the Sweet Water Creek trail system. Runners will pass through native oak groves, open grassland meadows and constant views of Folsom Lake.

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After crossing Sweetwater Creek, runners will continue on rolling single track trail to Browns Ravine Marina area.  This area will feature 100% single track trail with short climbs all the way to the 2025 finish at Hobie Cove where runners are welcomed in with a beautiful view of the lake from the finish festival picnic area.

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The 2025 Salmon Falls Half Marathon shuttle drop and start is at the Sweetwater Trailhead parking area. The course quickly dives into the Sweetwater Creek Trail, leading runners through a creek crossing on the way to Monte Vista. From the Monte Vista aid station, the trail heads to Brown’s Ravine through miles and miles of flowy, rolling singletrack along Folsom Lake. The trail winds its way through oak trees on undulating terrain providing only 1,400ft of vertical gain over the 13.1 miles so runners will have opportunity run full stride on most of the route.

 

Keep scrolling for course maps & elevation profile.

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Aid Stations

The race will feature six (6) fully stocked aid stations. In addition to water and electrolyte drink, we will have sodas, gels, fruit, chips, and other "Ultra" racing food. Specifics are highly dependent on availability, and will be included in the pre-race email sent out race week.

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Race Cutoff

The final cut-off time is 9 hours. (17+ min per mile pace). There will be intermediate cut-offs along the course. Finish line timing and post-race celebration ends at 4:30pm. The half marathon will adhere to the same cutoff times as the 50K.