Aerial Tour of the Coloma-Lotus Valley and
the South Fork of the American River

On the right is the heart of the Coloma valley, looking roughly to the north and northeast. The South Fork of the American River enters the lower right corner of the photo, flowing toward the upper left corner. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park covers most of the area between the 5, 4, 3, and 2 markers. Along Highway 49 in the Park you'll find many restored buildings. Along with the Park exhibits you'll find the Argonaut cafe, the Coloma Post Office, and Bekeart's Gun Shop.

1. From the south, Highway 49 winds its way from Placerville to Coloma.
2. Troublemaker Rapid (class III+) provides whitewater excitement, just over five miles downstream from the Chili Bar put-in. On the left side of the river is the American River Resort.
3. At the Marshall Monument, James Marshall points down to the site on the river where he first discovered gold in January, 1848, launching California's gold rush. You can drive or walk to this statue with its commanding view of the valley. Ask at the Park office for directions. There's also a good hike that follows the Monroe Ridge to the north. Be sure to take water with you if it's a hot day.
4. A ferry once crossed the river between Highway 49 on the left and Mt. Murphy on the right. A three-span bridge was built in 1850. A sturdier bridge replaced it in 1855, only to be lost to floods in 1862. A foot bridge was the only means of crossing the river until this one-lane steel bridge was built in the early part of this century. Coloma Resort is located on the right side of the river (at the bottom of the "4.")
5. Highway 49 crosses the river and heads toward Auburn. Just before the bridge you can turn left onto Lotus Road and head toward the Lotus area pictured in the photo below.
6. Marshall Road heads up the hill toward Garden Valley and Georgetown.

View a larger (46k) version of the above photo without the numbers.

To the right you see the curves defined by the South Fork of the American River as it winds through Coloma and Lotus. This photo was taken looking just a little bit more north than east. Though the river is heading almost due north as it exits the left side of this photo, it makes a left bend soon after and tends to bear west toward Camp Lotus, Salmon Falls, Folsom Lake, and eventually the ocean.

Where are the boundaries of Coloma and Lotus? Ask two different El Dorado County agencies and you'll probably get two different answers. Since neither community is incorporated, there are no exact boundaries. The area pictured in the photo above is definitely Coloma. The area to the right of the river and south of the Monroe Ridge ("1" on the map) in the photo to the right is agreed to be Lotus. On the left (north) side of the river, however, no two agencies agree, so you will find some addresses listed as Coloma and others as Lotus. (It's especially fun when PG&E says one thing and Pacific Bell says another!)

1. From the south, Highway 49 winds its way from Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park toward Auburn. The "1" sits roughly on the Monroe Ridge trail, which provides scenic overviews of the Coloma-Lotus area.
2. Highway 49 crosses the South Fork, 7.5 miles downstream from the Chili Bar put-in. On the north side of the bridge are NACO Ponderosa Park and the River Park Village complex, home of Yosum's Pizza, Sierra Rizing Bakery, Hot Shot Imaging, the Lotus Art Studio, American Heritage Realty, and several rafting outfitters.
   
   Just south of the bridge (to the right of the "2" in this photo), Lotus Road branches off Highway 49 toward the southwest. The Sierra Nevada House is at the intersection.
3. On this stretch of Highway 49 you will find several places to eat, including Marco's Cafe, the Coloma Club, the deli in the Shell mini-mart, and the River Shack.
4. Marshall Road heads toward Garden Valley and Georgetown.
5. Highway 49 continues toward Pilot Hill, Cool, and Auburn.
6. Along Lotus Road, Henningsen Lotus County Park offers riverside picnics and a large grassy soccer field. On the off-river side of Lotus Road are newly-developed softball fields and a children's playground.
7. To the left of the "7" is the Lotus fire station, part of the El Dorado County Fire District. They'll remind you to be very careful with cigarettes and campfires in our tinder-dry summertime.
   
   Across Lotus Road from the fire station are the old Lotus Store and the office of Susan Putic, CPA (previously home of the Coloma Veterinary Clinic). Halfway between the "7" and the "8" you'll find the Lotus Inn and Café Mahjaic (formerly the Golden Lotus Bed & Breakfast and Adam's Red Brick Restaurant).
8. The River Store provides whitewater boaters with equipment and supplies, along with information about current river conditions.
9. Lotus Road continues toward Shingle Springs and westbound Highway 50.
10. Just above the "10," Bassi Road heads northwest toward the river and Camp Lotus.

View a larger (72k) version of the above photo without the numbers.

A reminder about private roads: Many of the roads not named here are privately owned, and are maintained at the expense of the residents who live on them. If you see a "Private Road" or "Private Drive" sign, you will not find public river access down that road. The Coloma-Valley Recreation and the South Fork Logistics pages list several great public beaches -- we hope you'll enjoy them!