Sacramento area meet 4/12/25

[Max Rockatansky]

I just found the 2025 MLB schedule and it seems the Mets will be playing the As in Sacramento on 4/12/25 (and the evening before on 4/11 which was chosen as the pre-meet activity).  Given it is green season in California it seemed to be a good as time as any to set the day for the Sacramento Area Meet.  I'll be fleshing out this baseline itinerary probably this afternoon:
 

Probably going to put something together for Sacramento once the MLB schedule comes out.  Likely it would be earlier in the year so it isn't hot as balls during the meet and post-meet game.

Now the thing that is wracking my mind is where to start said meet?  I was thinking downtown Folsom to take advantage of all the Lincoln Highway and US 50 stuff.  Maybe head north through Coloma on CA 49 to Auburn to get the Forest Hill Bridge in the mix?

So basically the following:

-  Old US 50 and Lincoln Highway stuff between Folsom-Placerville.
-  CA 49 and CA 153 (supposedly the shortest state highway in California) to the Forest Hill Bridge.   This leg would also hit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
-  The tunnels around Newcastle and Lincoln Highway stuff.
-  CA 244 freeway.
-  Part or CA 51/I-80 BL.
-  CA 160/North Sacramento Freeway
-  Jibboom Street Bridge, I Street Bridge, Tower Bridge and various other stuff around Old Sacramento.
-  An afternoon or likely evening baseball game.

Also, fair chance I might originate the meet in Old Sacramento and loop back to it at the end.  That might be more optimal for those looking to group up.

[SSOWorld]

My ideal situation see this as a drive from my place out to Sacto.

That said, I will have to do a wait-and-see even up to the last minute because both the Rockies and the Sierras have high odds of snow within the mountains that even on the interstates will impact travel - My ideal has me finishing I-80 (lack Reno to SLC and I-84 to Cheyenne) and I-84's western segment (lack I-86 to JCT I-15).  I do have an AWD vehicle (on at all times), but how much would I trust it - especially when snow predictions are regularly measured in feet?

Flying out and renting a car will be more expensive than driving straight out (even with flying coach) and I'll cut the clinching in this case. I have plenty of back-routing I can do and even fill gaps within California.

As such, it's a wait-and-see at the moment. I'm trying to minimize costs this year.

As far as the choice of opposing team is concerned, I won't be dressing up like this...

[Rothman]

April 12th.  Excellent.

[cl94]

Short of a blizzard, I should be there. Daytrip range.

[Max Rockatansky]

I figure it is time to start drafting this to paper with the first three driving segments...  The only item I don't a firm idea on is the start time of the As vs Mets game as it is still TBD on the MLB schedule.

Optional (Pre-Meet Activity on 4/11/25 in Sacramento)
-  The As versus the Mets in West Sacramento at Sutter Health Park at 7:05 PM

Meet Start Location (4/12/24 Folsom, California at 8 AM)
-  The Folsom Cafe at 8 AM on Sutter Street (former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway) in downtown Folsom.  There is a fairly generous amount of paid parking in downtown Folsom if there are people who want to group up.  I plan on departing at 9-9:15 AM
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Folsom+Cafe/@38.6771215,-121.1780403,19z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x809ae7bec4d6cdc1:0x8808e0d4f886d38!8m2!3d38.6771215!4d-121.1773966!16s%2Fg%2F11fs_27swz?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Driving Segment 1 (The Rainbow Bridge and other Lincoln Highway stuff in downtown Folsom)
-  This segment is short and includes numerous structures which were part the 1927 era Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway.  Sites include the 1916 Folsom Powerhouse Canal Bridge, Folsom Powerhouse, the 1919 Rainbow Bridge and 1895 Folsom Truss Bridge.  Parking is going to be located at Folsom Powerhouse State Park.
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/The+Folsom+Cafe,+727+B+Sutter+St,+Folsom,+CA+95630/Folsom+Powerhouse+State+Historic+Park,+9980+Greenback+Ln,+Folsom,+CA+95630/@38.6800182,-121.1786353,17z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ae7bec4d6cdc1:0x8808e0d4f886d38!2m2!1d-121.1773966!2d38.6771215!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ae15504e8a1a5:0x7a8511502369caef!2m2!1d-121.1758423!2d38.6805029!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Segment 2 (Folsom to Forni Road Bridge near Placerville via the Pioneer Branch Lincoln Highway)
-  This segment will follow much of the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway to CA 49 in Placerville.  This segment includes the 1914 Forni Road Bridge at Weber Creek.  This one of the earliest arch concrete bridges in California. 
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Folsom+Powerhouse+State+Historic+Park,+9980+Greenback+Ln,+Folsom,+CA+95630/3400+Forni+Rd,+Placerville,+CA+95667/@38.689762,-120.8854531,14z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x809ae15504e8a1a5:0x7a8511502369caef!2m2!1d-121.1758423!2d38.6805029!3m4!1m2!1d-120.8477927!2d38.6824035!3s0x809a59cae5bef90b:0x28169073e15c8677!1m5!1m1!1s0x809a5767d03673e3:0xed76062dfc8e38bf!2m2!1d-120.8281587!2d38.7141204!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Segment 3 (Forni Road Bridge CA 153 and the James Marshall Monument in Coloma)
-  This segment follows US 50 and CA 49 in Placerville northward to CA 153.  CA 153 is "claimed" be the shortest California State Highway and is even signed as such (seriously there is a placard).  CA 153 ends at the James Marshall Monument and descends via a one-way drop into Coloma.  Coloma is where gold at Sutter's Mill was located in 1848 which spurred the 1849 California Gold Rush.  Coloma has some cool older buildings, and the 1915 Coloma Bridge can be found at the South Fork Sacramento River on Mount Murphy Road.  This is also the bathroom break location...
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/3400+Forni+Rd,+Placerville,+CA+95667/James+Marshall+Monument,+Monument+Road,+Coloma,+CA/310+Back+Street,+Coloma,+CA/@38.7763574,-120.913394,13z/data=!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x809a5767d03673e3:0xed76062dfc8e38bf!2m2!1d-120.8281587!2d38.7141204!1m5!1m1!1s0x809a5580eae037e3:0xfeb85f656de615d6!2m2!1d-120.8941537!2d38.7967043!1m5!1m1!1s0x809a5581d7252ebf:0x31befc87cf5935e7!2m2!1d-120.8923711!2d38.8003293!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Max Rockatansky]

The next batch of driving segments.

Segment 4 CA 49 and Old Foresthill Road to the Foresthill Bridge
-  This segment is pretty simple and follows CA 49 north to the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River.  We will climb Old Foresthill Road to the Foresthill Bridge over the North Fork American River.  This span was constructed in 1973 and has a 730-foot clearance due to Auburn Dam never coming to fruition.
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/310+Back+Street,+Coloma,+CA/Foresthill+Bridge,+Foresthill+Road,+Auburn,+CA/@38.9152418,-121.0396075,16z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x809a5581d7252ebf:0x31befc87cf5935e7!2m2!1d-120.8923711!2d38.8003293!3m4!1m2!1d-121.0257655!2d38.9185707!3s0x809b05ae0274f431:0xb9c06c2ddf85448c!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b05225c6a004d:0xfc42d85f7c7c57a!2m2!1d-121.0382464!2d38.9224099!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Part 5 (North Lincoln Highway and US Route 40 stuff in Newcastle)
-  This segment follows CA 49 and I-80 from Auburn to the western segment of CA 193.  This segment includes a loop along the North Lincoln Highway in Newcastle through the 1910 Newcastle Railroad Subway.  The meet tour will loop back to CA 193 through the 1932 Newcastle Tunnel which was part of US Route 40.
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Foresthill+Bridge,+Foresthill+Road,+Auburn,+CA/9200+CA-193,+Newcastle,+CA/501+Taylor+Rd,+Newcastle,+CA+95658/9200+CA-193,+Newcastle,+CA+95658/@38.903852,-121.1121287,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m31!4m30!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b05225c6a004d:0xfc42d85f7c7c57a!2m2!1d-121.0382464!2d38.9224099!1m10!1m1!1s0x809b1baeb0eee243:0x4d2d0b69956f99ad!2m2!1d-121.131538!2d38.8764528!3m4!1m2!1d-121.132576!2d38.8735802!3s0x809b1baf15de54ef:0xec838f3bca990dd5!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b1bb1fd831f3b:0x3a3b06e5dc55d21f!2m2!1d-121.1355672!2d38.8757915!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b1baeb0eee243:0x4d2d0b69956f99ad!2m2!1d-121.131538!2d38.8764528!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Part 6 (The CA 244 Freeway at the northeast Sacramento city limit)
-  This segment includes a drive on the brief and unsigned CA 244 freeway.  This freeway is a vestige of the shelved long-range plans to expand a network of state highways east of Sacramento. 
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/9200+CA-193,+Newcastle,+CA+95658/4301+Auburn+Blvd,+Sacramento,+CA+95841/@38.6484395,-121.3663623,14z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x809b1baeb0eee243:0x4d2d0b69956f99ad!2m2!1d-121.131538!2d38.8764528!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad9378bb3035d:0x85be13868227fa00!2m2!1d-121.3652639!2d38.6436973!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Max Rockatansky]

The final driving legs...

Segment 7 (CA 160/North Sacramento Freeway to the Jibboom Street Bridge)
-  This segment takes part of the CA 51 freeway (signed as I-80 Business) which was early I-80 in Sacramento.  This corridor was built much earlier as part of US Routes 40 and 99E.  The tour route will follow CA 160 along the North Sacramento Freeway (former US Routes 40 and 99E) to Richardson Boulevard towards the Jibboom Street Bridge.  The Jibboom Street Bridge is located at the confluence of the American River and Sacramento River.  The Jibboom Street Bridge (constructed in 1931) was once an active life span which served as part of CA 24 and briefly CA 99.
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/4301+Auburn+Blvd,+Sacramento,+CA+95841/Jibboom+Street+Bridge,+Sacramento,+CA/427+Richards+Blvd,+Sacramento,+CA+95811/@38.6220856,-121.4830823,13z/data=!4m25!4m24!1m10!1m1!1s0x809ad9378bb3035d:0x85be13868227fa00!2m2!1d-121.3652639!2d38.6436973!3m4!1m2!1d-121.4710868!2d38.599065!3s0x809ad737abb3cb1b:0xf75d23f4ab4a1fc9!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad6c264c42ff5:0x19481eccfac5cc1b!2m2!1d-121.5062145!2d38.5997182!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad6d96872904d:0xf6f15b81c163066e!2m2!1d-121.4961214!2d38.5971713!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D


Final Segment (Old Sacramento)
-  The jog from the Jibboom Street Bridge to Old Sacramento will cross over the I Street Bridge into West Sacramento and the Tower Bridge to Old Sacramento.  This former structure was constructed in 1912 and served as part of CA 16.  A replacement span will be breaking ground next year.

Old Sacramento is the original downtown area in the city.  There is a crap ton to see but the primary road attraction is the Tower Bridge (CA 275 and former US Routes 40/99W).  I'm tentatively planning the group photo for the Tower Bridge, but we do it at another location earlier.  Old Sacramento is the end part of the meet and more or less will be a "see what you want" affair...although I recommend the California State Railroad Museum. 
Map Link
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Jibboom+Street+Bridge,+Sacramento,+CA/498+F+St,+West+Sacramento,+CA+95605/Old+Sacramento,+Sacramento,+CA/@38.5899378,-121.5198624,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad6c264c42ff5:0x19481eccfac5cc1b!2m2!1d-121.5062145!2d38.5997182!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad6c9ecf0e57f:0x4839af6756d50e75!2m2!1d-121.5135861!2d38.5848857!1m5!1m1!1s0x809ad1346fc169f7:0x5d22e86bd345e49a!2m2!1d-121.5069379!2d38.5801834!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[cahwyguy]

That's Erev Passover (i.e., the first night of Passover). I won't be at the meet.

[SSOWorld]

The ballgame is scheduled to start at 1:05 PM (your time) which presents a conflict - unless you are doing Friday evening...

[Max Rockatansky]

The ballgame is scheduled to start at 1:05 PM (your time) which presents a conflict - unless you are doing Friday evening...

Even the Friday game is 1:05 PM.  I could just move the meet date to Sunday since that game starts at 4:05 PM.

[Max Rockatansky]

I see two options:

-  Keep the 4/12 date and make the 4/11 afternoon game optional.
-  Move the meet to 4/13 and take advantage of the 4:05 PM game start time.

[SSOWorld]

I see two options:

-  Keep the 4/12 date and make the 4/11 afternoon game optional.
-  Move the meet to 4/13 and take advantage of the 4:05 PM game start time.

Slight adjustments either way - The way I look at it - it will be a near 2-week vacay (because Easter is the following weekend) as preliminary plans are to fly out to Vegas (and pick-up the second Boulder City Bypass) and drive up (via 95/DVNP to Reno, then back via Ely)

Then I'll like do the drive out in the fall for the @cl94 meet to finish I-80 (and Nevada)

Depending on when we start, the 4:05 pm start on 11/13 will be cutting it close.

[Max Rockatansky]

Sounds like Friday would be ideal for the game then? 

[SSOWorld]

Most likely.

[Max Rockatansky]

Updated for the 4/11/25 MLB pre-meet event.

[SSOWorld]

Just a note; since my trip will have a dual focus of Nevada and Death Valley NP, If the weather forecast has snow on the weekend of the meet, I'll have to call off going west of Reno - given that I'll likely not have neither chains nor snow tires for the rental car, and driving longer distances on snow tires isn't a good idea otherwise. (hence, no meet for me) It is possible that I postpone the trip back a month, but I don't want to postpone it too far back that (with the way the weather has been behaving lately) Death Valley and Vegas get too hot.

[Rothman]

Updated for the 4/11/25 MLB pre-meet event.

Should work for me.  Hope works for other intended attendees besides us three.

[Rothman]

Segment 7 seems to be in reverse order. ;D

[Max Rockatansky]

Segment 7 seems to be in reverse order. ;D

Noted, I'll flip it tonight and post the correct URL.

[cl94]

Well, in that case, I guess I'll be getting a hotel in Sacramento for Friday night. Not like I have a problem with that.

[Duke87]

My dad and I will be at both the game and the meet. We do need to "reclinch" the A's stadium, so...

[Max Rockatansky]

That puts us up to seven counting my wife.

[Rothman]

Just to be clear, the game is at 7:05 p.m. on Friday the 11th, right?

https://www.mlb.com/athletics/schedule/2025-04

[Max Rockatansky]

Just to be clear, the game is at 7:05 p.m. on Friday the 11th, right?

https://www.mlb.com/athletics/schedule/2025-04

Correct.

[Rothman]

Excellent.  My brain's gone to mush this Sunday afternoon...