Summary 
| Difficulty | 1 Beginner |
| Length | 3.4 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
7050 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+300, -300 feet |
| Navigation | Road |
| Time | Several hours |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low [Snowmobile traffic is low although part of route coincides with Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Bear River Reservoir and Peddler Hill |
| Start | Junction of Highway 88 and Foster Meadow Road, 0.8 mile east of Peddler Hill Maintenance Station and 11.1 miles west of the Silver Lake dam. Parking is on the north side of the highway in a cut-out that only holds 4 to 6 vehicles. Park carefully to maximize capacity. |
Description
The tour to Foster Meadow is perfect for beginners looking for a short route that follows roads and has little elevation change. After lunch in the meadow you can explore its 0.5 mile length.
An interesting variation to the Foster Meadow tour is the Foster Meadow Loop that connects roads located on the southeast and northwest sides of the meadow.
There is also the opportunity for a detour from the Foster Meadow to visit Cosumnes Falls where the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River plunges 20 feet.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.5
Elevation change: -100 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski north and then west on snow-covered Foster Meadow Road for a total of 0.5 mile until you intersect the groomed Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail (2). You will pass a road on your right at 0.1 mile.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.5 - 1.0
Elevation change: -100 feet
Turn north (right) onto the Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail (this is still Foster Meadow Road) and follow it for 0.5 mile until you reach a lesser road that heads southwest (3). This road may not be obvious. Backtrack 0.1 mile if you reach the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River.
The Cosumnes River is small and runs through a culvert under Foster Meadow Road. The landmarks that signal that you are at the river include (1) the river is located at a low spot on Foster Meadow Road, (2) Foster Meadow Road turns to the west (left) at the river, and (3) a sign indicating the turnoff to the headwaters of the Cosumnes River is located immediately after crossing the river.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 1.0 - 1.6
Elevation change: -50 feet
Turn southwest (left) onto the lesser road and ski approximately 0.6 mile to the point where you leave the road (4). Pick a point where you can see an easy path through the trees to Foster Meadow located to the northwest. In a few places you can see the meadow from the road.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.6 - 1.7
Elevation change: -50 feet
Descend through the trees to the northwest for 0.1 mile until you reach Foster Meadow (5).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.7 - 3.4
Elevation change: +300 feet
Retrace the route for 1.7 miles back to the trailhead (1).
