One of the main features of the dog-friendly Dave Moore Nature Area is a loop trail about a mile long which goes from the parking lot trailhead to the South Fork American River and back again passing through several habitat types. In 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 lends to the characteristic landscape that makes this area so unique.

As you travel along the Dave Moore Nature Trail you will encounter several natural features. The most interesting is “Mushroom Rock” — two stacked granite boulders with a softer layer of decomposed granite in between that has been weathered by the river over the past. Walking past these weathered formations gives you a real sense of the geological forces at work here alongside the human history embedded in the landscape.

The trail itself moves through different habitat types, so you’ll notice the environment changing as you walk. One minute you’re under oak trees, the next you’re closer to the river with different plants and wildlife. It’s a good length for dogs who are getting started on hiking or for anyone wanting a quick nature walk without committing to a full day outing. The shade from the trees helps on warmer days, though the area can get full sun in stretches.

The site is located approximately 2 miles west of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park at Coloma on Highway 49 in El Dorado County. The parking area at the trailhead is small but usually has space, and the whole out-and-back hike is manageable for most dogs in decent shape. You’ll want to bring water since there’s limited shade coverage in some sections of the trail.