El Dorado Trail (Missouri Flat Road Entry)

The Missouri Flat Road section of the El Dorado Trail in Placerville, California is a pawrific place to walk your fur baby. The trailhead is on Missouri Flat Road just past Walmart. If there's no parking at the trailhead, you can park at Walmart and a few other businesses in the area. This eight-mile walk is mostly paved and is in a predominantly urban area, but you after about a mile, you will be tucked into the beauty of the Sierra foothills dotted with gorgeous wildflowers and mature trees to provide some shade. 

One of the good things about hiking in an urban area like this is that you can leave the trail and easily stop at a restroom or see the historic buildings from the gold rush era. However, be aware that some of these businesses do not allow dogs inside. If you head east, about halfway through your hike, you can see the Weber Creek trestle bridge that stands about 100 feet above the creek. The view from the bridge is ons of the best around. 

For the next few miles, you'll be on a relatively flat or gently sloped path that's easy to hike for just about anyone. At around mile five, Bradford Park will appear on the south side of the path. Here, both you and your fur baby can take a break at a picnic table, use the restrooms, or refill your water bottles. The rest of the trail is mostly urban and flat with areas of meadows and grasslands in some sections. 

Overall, the Missouri Flat Road entry of the El Dorado Trail is an easy hike with nice views of the area if you are used to walking more than five miles. If you get tired, you can always turn around and go back to the trailhead. You and your pooch can always come back and finish exploring on another day.