Downtown Cool has one flashing traffic light and currently a strip mall providing most services needed for a day’s outing. But it’s growing.
Olmstead Loop on the gently rolling ridge above the awesome American River canyons ranks as one of the best trails around – especially when you take advantage of the mild climate during the off- season.
You’d never guess Cool has a population of 1300
There’s a new marketplace being built just across the highway from the flashing light. Downtown lies on an open ridge notched out of the Auburn State Recreation Area and has very few residential homes lying adjacent to the town center. You’d never guess Cool has a population of 1300; still you have to drive back to Auburn to satisfy your fast-food cravings. However, the nearby Auburn Lake Trails gated community lying behind the hills to the east can generate a traffic jam as residents commute to and out of the more hectic pace of Auburn or Roseville and Sacramento.
It’s difficult for a writer to not use “cool” in a description of the town of Cool. The origin of the name has been attributed to at least three possibilities: the surname of a local minister, temperatures on the ridge above the nearby American River canyon remaining cooler due to breezes funneled into the area by the terrain,. or a reference to temperatures in limestone caves used by miners for relief from the canyon heat – and storage of their wine.
Take a hike, bike, or equestrian trail ride around the deservedly popular Olmstead Loop Trail that begins at the trailhead behind the local fire station, then stroll a few yards over to one of the ice cream parlors, coffee shops, or great family restaurants as your reward for a hearty outing. Now that’s cool. Whoops.
Olmstead Loop on the gently rolling ridge above the awesome American River canyons ranks as one of the best trails around – especially when you take advantage of the mild climate during the off-season.Outings during winter and are superb. Spring begins bursting out as early as January and February. Spring flowers and fall colors are both exceptionally nice.
The Cool trailhead also offers easy access to the classic Western States Trail used by 100-mile runners, 100-mile Tevis Cup equestrian riders, and the rest of us looking for a nice day trip. The American Canyon Trail east of town offers an enjoyable alternative route to dropping into the heart of the Middle Fork of the American River canyon. For an in-and-out trip the gradient is one of the best – arduous but not overwhelming. The Middle Fork of the American River accessed at several points east of Cool offers good fishing and outstanding whitewater adventure.
| Population: | 1,300 | Links: | Chamber of Commerce: www.eldoradocounty.org Community: : www.station72.com/community Visitor Center: www.co.el-dorado.ca.us |
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From Auburn, travel south via Highway 49 for a slow 7 miles in and out of the American River canyon. From Placerville travel via Highway 49, an often slow 19 miles north. From either direction you can’t miss the flashing traffic light in downtown Cool. California Highway 193 heading east up the ridge to Georgetown intersects Highway 49 at the light.