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American Canyon Trail
MAP
6.4 miles from G.T. easy-steep 5mi. R.T.
ASRA from 3rd gate Auburn Lake
Trails to MFAR
Main connecting trail for access to Robie, Ball bearing, WST, Dead Truck
trails, and Poverty Bar on south side of MFAR. Popular trail that drops
down along the American Canyon creek, crosses just below its confluence
with Hoboken Creek, continues down along the east side of the creek to
cross again just above Poverty Bar.
There is a wealth of trails behind the
gated Auburn Lake Trails development on the east facing canyon of the
Middle Fork of the American River. These trails connect to the
confluence area of highway 49 between Auburn and Cool.
Our main access to these trails from G.T.
is called American Canyon trail and is great for winter hiking when the
higher trails are inaccessible. Waterfalls and wildflowers galore in the
Spring.
Directions:
Take highway 193 towards Cool about 6 ½ miles and turn right on the
unmarked road across from Pilgrim Rd. This is also known as “3rd
gate” for Auburn Lake Trails. The trailhead is on the right before you
get to the entrance gate for A.L.T.
The trail
starts gently downhill on an old road
following the north side of the American canyon drainage. In about 1/2
mile you come to the intersection with the Western States Trail (WST).
Go L here if you want the easy and scenic Ball Bearing trail built on an
old mining ditch and level for miles. Go R for Am. Cyn. Trail and then
take the L fork at the next intersection to continue down the creek
drainage towards the river, or R to stay up on the WST.
At about 1 mile you come to a creek
crossing for American Cyn. Creek followed by a crossing of Hoboken
creek. The trail then turns L and follows the creek down to an open
landing and another trail intersection. Go L for the old WST to Cool and
Poverty Bar, or R to Dead Truck trail which goes up to the newer WST
route. You may notice the old grapevines at the landing area where one
of the earliest vineyards used to be in the 1800’s.
If you go L you cross the creek, hike
down along some great waterfalls, and watch for the small trail that
will take you steeply down to Poverty Bar. Or you can stay up on the
more level trail that parallels the river for 6 miles downstream to
become the Quarry Trail.
Here is the link to the ASRA Canyon Keepers description of the
American Canyon
Trail
Click HERE to view the
Take A Hike! version of this hike.
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