A Sierra Foothill Setting Full of Options

East of Pollock Pines, Highway 50 follows the South Fork American River through the scenic Sierra canyon. River access can be found around Riverton and farther east near Kyburz, offering opportunities for fishing, sightseeing, and enjoying the mountain landscape. The Riverton section is known for rainbow and brown trout, with catchable rainbow trout seasonally stocked to supplement the river’s natural fish population.

Established in 1910, this national forest spans nearly 597,000 acres across the central Sierra Nevada, from foothill oak woodlands near 1,000 feet to granite peaks above 10,000 feet. Within its boundaries sit 297 lakes and reservoirs and 349 miles of trails, including a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail through Desolation Wilderness.

Formed by Sly Park Dam in the mid-1950s, this 650-acre reservoir doubles as a drinking water source for El Dorado County. Anglers cast for trout along the shoreline while paddlers explore the four small islands scattered across the water. Personal watercraft like Jet Skis aren't permitted, which keeps the surface calm for canoeing and swimming.

Carved in 1848 by members of the Mormon Battalion returning east from California's gold fields, this 30-mile route originally carried the name Iron Mountain Road. It climbs from Sly Park Dam toward Highway 88 near Silver Lake through dense Sierra forest. Snow closes the road each winter, though the rest of the year it makes a quiet scenic drive.

Reached by a winding dirt road off Ice House Road, this 109-foot waterfall crashes over granite slabs in the Crystal Basin area of Eldorado National Forest. The hike to the base runs a little over a mile from the closest trailhead, though the rough final stretch calls for a high-clearance vehicle. Snowmelt in late spring brings the fullest flow.

Set at the western edge of the Crystal Basin, this reservoir reaches roughly 80 feet deep and spreads across about 648 acres of clear mountain water. A boat launch sits on the northwest shore near Ice House Campground, and wildlife officials stock rainbow and brown trout every other week through summer. Mountain bike routes follow old logging roads nearby.

Originally opened in 1852 by Scottish immigrants John and James Blair, this stagecoach stop once operated as the Twelve-Mile House along the Comstock route. On April 4, 1860, rider William Hamilton handed the eastbound mail here to fellow Pony Express rider Warren Upson in a handoff that took two minutes. Now a California Registered Historical Landmark, the restaurant welcomes travelers.

Opened in 2011 along Pony Express Trail, this diner channels a 1950s roadside vibe with a shaded outdoor patio. The Hawaiian Swiss burger pairs melted cheese with grilled pineapple, while the Beyond Burger covers plant-based diners. Beer-battered fries and hand-spun milkshakes round out the menu, and gluten-free buns are available on request.

Operating since 1943 on Pony Express Trail near Exit 60, this steakhouse began as a butcher shop and grocery before evolving into a bar and restaurant. A 1983 fire forced a rebuild the following year, and new owners Jim and Kim have run the kitchen since 2018. Certified Angus Beef steaks and hand-cut shoestring fries anchor the menu.

Set inside a chalet-style roadhouse in Camino, The Forester Grill Haus brings Old-World Germany to the Sierra foothills. Pork schnitzel, house-made spaetzle, and a duo of bratwurst and bockwurst anchor a menu built from family recipes, with each entrée arriving alongside German fried potatoes and red cabbage.