Park in the gravel along Motherlode by the defunct Front Yard Nursery. The trail is along the railroad tracks. Heading east from here, the first half mile is boring gravel but then it gets interesting as you get into the hills and see cows, deer, turkeys etc. If you go eastward, it's about a mile to the train station.

Recommended route: 5.5 miles westward out and back to the spectacular railroad cut.
Long route: 10 miles westward out and back to the Shingle Springs train station with lots to see.
Short route: 3 miles westward out and back to Greenstone
Shortest route: 2 miles eastward out and back to El Dorado train station