I did a loop by going up the main trail to Goat Peak from 410, then heading over on American Ridge a bit, then down Pleasant Valley Lake trail, and finally back to the car using Pleasant Valley. Great trip. Pleasant Valley Lake trail is not as steep as Goat Peak and easier on the knees! A loop is always a bonus anyway. The Goat Peak trail has some blowdowns in the first half mile or so - a couple take some effort and I ended up crawling on my hands and knees under two of them. The others were pretty easy to step over or walk around. Very steep trail and narrow with some exposure on a couple of places. Pleasant Valley Lake trail had LOTS of blowdowns. Most were easy to step over or walk around, but a couple required more effort and I fell a couple of times (minor falls just tripping over limbs) and had to crawl on my hands and knees under one. There’s also a nice little lake on the way down - the trail is easy to find. If you want a bit more adventure, mileage, and solitude, I’d highly recommend. I’ll be doing it again.

I finally, on my fourth try, found pleasant valley lake. I hiked up as far as was comfortable, but snow kept me from reaching American Ridge Trail from this side. Then I went over the hillside with a fine-toothed comb looking for the offshoot to the lake. It turns out there is no trail at all. Not even a faint one. However, some lovely person did mark the trail with ribbons.

It was a bit trickier to get there than I like. Snowbanks over complicated snags mean I twisted an ankle a couple times. Then, when I finally got there, the lake itself was small and completely surrounded by deadfall so it was incredibly difficult to get to the bank. But dammit I finally made it.

The unnamed lake further down is much more pleasant, and easily accessible. I suggest we rename that one Pleasant Valley Lake and the upper one Annoying Snag Lake.

The actual trail up the hill was in good shape. Pleasant Valley Loop to the junction is in terrible shape. I’ve never seen so many blowdowns in just one season. The forest there isn’t healthy, I’m guessing. I had to crawl on my belly more than once, but there wasn’t anything dangerous to navigate. My rating for this trail is mostly for the offshoot to the lake, and even so, when the snow melts, it will only be annoying, not dangerous.

This trail is technically closed, and I hear it will be until next year. But there’s no fire activity along it that I could see. I’m apparently not the only one who has been breaking the rules & hiking out here.

Just an overcast day.  Slight rain and some mist. Very muggy. Not too many bugs at all. And I messed up. Once on the Pleasant Valley Loop trail and then taking the marked fork to the left to the lake, I did not take the eventual fork to the right that descends down to the lake (should have read the trail report more carefully). I just kept climbing and climbing and climbing and what an ascent that lake trail is, actually. Phew. Beautiful trail and experience into the deep woods, though, with downed trees and overgrown shrubs .. just no lake.

Once back on the loop and 1/2-way back to trailhead, I had a really special encounter with a mamma grouse and 4 babies (more like teenagers) walking along the trail. They stayed with me for about 2-3 minutes and then went on their way magically disappearing into the forest floor right in front of my eyes -- amazing camouflage. It was just super cool. 

Total of 8.5 miles on this trail. I love American River and the peacefulness of this trail. So beautiful and secluded. 

Combined this with a section of the American Ridge Trail and the Pleasant Valley Lake Trail to make a 9 mile loop.  Open views on the climb up to join the American Ridge Trail but hazy from wildfire smoke and clouds limited views.  A few wildflowers near and along the ridge. The hike down from the ridge to Pleasant Valley Lake and then the junction with the Pleasant Valley Loop Trail is in forest with limited views.  The lake is largely covered with duck weed which gives it an interesting look.  There are very large ant nests along the Pleasant Valley Loop section.  Mostly a dry hike except for the Pleasant Valley Loop section which is along the American River and WA 410.