ALERT - Truck and horse trailer stolen from Cronan's Padro Hill parking lot May 18,2012 mid morning. The  truck is a 2000 Ford F-250 Super Cab with the 7.3 liter Diesel. It is Very dark blue on top(looks black in some lighting conditions) over silver gray on the bottom. The license plate is only on the rear - 6E08877. The trailer is a   2005 Trails West. Its license plate is 4HE4430. It is white with the trails west logo down the side. It is a 2 horse slant load with HiTies on both sides. 



ALERT - There was a break in at the Auburn Overlook staging area the week of April 1,2010. A horse trailer was broken into. Do not leave valuables in your horse trailer or your vehicle.

ALERT - Jan 2012 there was a  break-in at Padro Hill. Please do not leave anything of value in your truck or horse trailer.
Law Enforcement has been seen recently at both staging areas of Cronan, they are aware of the recent break-ins.


ALERT - another break in - this time at Olmstead in Cool Feb 17,2012. Please do not leave anything valuable in your truck or horse trailer. Report any incidences to Park Watch at www.parkwatchreport.org


Alert - Folsom Lake area - As of Feb 12,2012 there has been a report of 3 dogs off leash - red healer types and their owner, a woman and her male companion who have threatened horses and riders and verbally told their dogs to attack. Please contact Park Dispatch at (916) 358-1300 if you see them and they are a threat to you and/or the dogs are off leash.


Ticks and Lyme disease - 5 areas are testing positive for Lyme disease - Feb 2012. These include Hidden Falls in Auburn, Drivers Flat near Foresthill and the Auburn staging area.  Two other areas are Stevens Trail near Colfax and Placer Nature Center in Christian Valley. Please use caution when hiking or riding.


Use caution when riding off the trail or even stepping off the trail at Olmstead ( and other places as well). There is old wire burried under brush and grass and recently cut a horse very badly - horse will be laid up for 1 yr. So be careful when getting off the trail to ride side by side or to let others pass - wire can be very hard to see if you can see it at all.  


ALERT - as of Nov 17,2011 2 more recent break-ins have occurred at Magnolia staging area. Also a single man has been seen at Magoliga asking a lot of questions of lone riders. Please use caution! All incidents have been reported.



Do not leave anything of value in your tow vehicle or trailer, including vehicle and trailer registration. Since 2005 there have been several reports of vehicle break-ins at some of the staging areas.

Empire Mine across Osborn Hill towards the lookout area ground bees have been encountered there as of Oct 29,2011.
These creatures make their nests in the ground and are very territorial. When anything disturbs them, they pour out of the nest, aggressively stinging anything in their way. Horses can react violently to multiple stings. Beware of this area until the first frost. 

Negro Bar - Dec 2010 recent break-ins of vehicles - windows are being smashed

Empire Mine -  the southern area of the park, called Osborn Hill is the area where construction activities will be occurring spring 2009, fall 2009 and winter 2009/2010, so trail users should exercise particular caution in this area. The main Penn Gate equestrian staging area remains open, as do all of the other designated horse trails at Empire Mine State Historic Park.

March 2009   - Folsom Lake Trails - a loose dog  chased a horse and rider causing injury to both. Please be aware of loose dogs.

Jan 2009 - Folsom Lake Trails - motorized dirt bikes have been seen on the trails and have spooked some horses. They are not allowed on those trails.

Fall 2008 - recent vehicle break-ins at Cronin staging areas