McKeon-Ponderosa Way intersects Foresthill Rd at the lower edge of Todd Valley. McKeon-Ponderosa Way is a private road and is a popular route for bicycle riders, equestrians, and pedestrians. Although the road goes all the way to the Middle Fork of the American, it is gated and closed to all motor vehicles three miles down from Foresthill Rd. From the gate it is about 3 miles to the river. There has been a lot of erosion damage in recent years to the lower part of the road, but it still is wonderful as a trail and has been maintained by State Parks and Rec to be passable for emergency access. There is no room to park or to turn a vehicle around at the gate. It is best to park at White Oak Flat which is .5 miles above the gate.
The McKeon-Ponderosa Loop Trail branches off to the left below White Oak Flat. It winds down the hill and passes an interesting old boarded up building. At the bottom of the hill the trail joins an old road to Shenanagon Mine. If you go left you will come to a gate with an "S" on it which is private property. Instead, go to the right and you will join with McKeon-Ponderosa Way by Hangman's Tree which is 1 mile down from the gate. From there you can go back up to White Oak Flat which will be a 3 miles loop. You can also go down to the river. McKeon-Ponderosa Loop Trail has been used as part of the Western States Trail in the past and may be used again in the future. White Oak Flat is often used as a staging area for people training on the California St. section of the Western States Trail.
The Foresthill Trails Alliance has installed signs to mark the junctions of the McKeon-Ponderosa Loop Trail and hitching posts at "Hangman's Tree" and at Francisco's at the bottom of McKeon-Ponderosa. State Parks and Rec installed picnic tables at White Oak Flat and "Hangman's Tree".