|
Wendell T. Robie Trail
7.1 miles from G.T.
25 miles of easy-mod. options
This trail is named after Wendell Robie, well known equestrian of Auburn
who did much to promote horse trails and the Tevis cup race. His
foundation continues to promote and develop horse trails in the
mountains and funded the construction of this trail to provide a way for
horses to get from Cool to higher ground. The trail goes to the Dru
Barner equestrian camp on Bottle Hill Road.
Directions:
Go towards Auburn on highway 193 for 1
mile and turn R on Spanish Dry Diggins Rd. Follow this past the airport
for 1.7 miles and turn R on Sliger Mine Rd. This road is paved for 1.7
miles then becomes rough and requiring high clearance vehicles. Down
about ¾ miles look for a plastic trail sign on the right near an old
green gate in the brush. These mark the crossing of the Robie.
The trail
was built in 1990-91 to extend the WST
from Sliger Mine Road to Canyon Creek and beyond to Bottle Hill area.
The trail goes west from here 15 miles to Cool. Our trail goes east.
The trail climbs steeply from the road but soon levels out when it gains
its main course on top of an abandoned gold rush era mining ditch. The
view is grand looking north up the Middle Fork canyon from the our trail
perch 600 feet above. The trail passes around a steep cliff protected by
a beautiful hand-stacked rock wall then drops with switchbacks and back
up to circumvent the “Grit Mine” property. This mine is known for the
“Fricott” gold nugget, a 22 oz. nugget found here and taken to San
Francisco where it remains on display at Golden Gate State Park.
The trail continues level as it winds in
and out the crossing creeks canyons until it drops to cross Canyon
Creek, then climbs up to meet the Powerhouse Road which by going Right,
leads to the Bottle Hill Road and more trail options.
Special note!
In 2007 the trail crossing the powerhouse property near Canyon Creek was
closed due to vandalism problems. At this time the negotiations are
ongoing for a legal detour. You can take the trail back up towards the
G.T. airport trails instead.
|
