Clarksburg Branch Line

The Clarksburg Branch Line is a rails-to-trails path tracing a slowly expanding length of former Sierra Northern Railroad right of way through West Sacramento.Beginning at Jefferson Blvd, the trail begins by tracing a generally straight and flat paved course that passes areas like ponds, shopping centers, and athletic fields. It's not hard to look at the trail stretching into the distance through arches of trees and imagine the railroad that once ran through this area. These days it's used by numerous walkers, runners and cyclists. Currently, the paved section comes to an end after only a couple miles, and turns to flat gravel. Leaving the shopping centers and schools behind here, the trail begins to travel past rural housing and horse properties. Along with the pavement ending, the number of trail users tends to drop off too and hikers will find themselves traversing much quieter landscape from here on out.There are several road crossings, however these roads also tend to get quieter as the trail proceeds south.Eventually the former railroad bed veers right, while the walking route continues straight until it meets the embankment of the Sacramento River along a wide bend, and follows this raised path until the trail ends at a gate.Currently portions of the trail are overgrown with thorny plants, making portions of the route harder to walk through. West Sacramento has plans to eventually pave all of the 9.8 mile section of former railroad right of way that has come under their control.There are no bathrooms or amenities located along the trail itself. Hikers can also find parking at some of the parks or trail crossings along the route if they don't want to begin at the northernmost trailhead. Otherwise the Barge Canal trailhead offers free parking in a large gravel lot open from sunrise to sunset.