Auburn State Recreation Area
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Salt Creek Loop Auburn State Recreation Area |
November 18, 2021
My home town has been more or less completely fogbound for some time now. Occasionally, I can get above the fog by driving up into the foothills; but this is not one of those days. The haze will not prevent me from carrying out the mission, however, which involves exploring a previously unvisited trail.
Paying my ten dollars to park at the lot behind the Cool firehouse, I set out on my bicycle through the area of the Olmstead Loop, on a paved road signed as "Closed to Motor Vehicles". I won't tell them about the hidden motor on my bicycle.
This looks like the trail that I want
So long for now
I don't believe I'll be going that fast
Nice trail markers
I walked some of the Olmstead Loop twelve years ago (Hike 55). There were some nice flowers in June.
Approaching the canyon rim
There are wide flat sections of would-be roadway cutting across the cliff in
places. Much money and effort was wasted around here in preparation for
the installation of the ill-fated Auburn Dam.
North Fork American River
That Pumping Station is Auburn's fresh water supply
Previously, I had referred to that facility incorrectly as a fish ladder. That was a pretty lame guess.
A limestone quarry section across the way
Walking up that road on a hot day is not so much fun.
And when the trail exits the roadway toward Overlook Park, there is a 30% gradient waiting.
That fence line above the quarry merits future investigation
There is lots of river rafting in this region
I can see and hear water flowing out of Knickerbocker Canyon
There are some photogenic waterfalls on Knickerbocker Creek, but getting to them is much easier said than done. The nice fall plunging into a shallow pool near the river is visible from the road down Cardiac Hill, but swimming over from there is not an option. That's another idea for future exploration.
On a foot trail for the first time today
Lots of old PVC pipe lies around here
Roadside quartz
Back on St. Florian Court for half a mile
Toyon
The final lap
§: Well, this was a pleasant diversion from the usual routes across
the canyon. This could be done as an 8-miler without a bicycle shuttle;
and most of the traipsing on pavement could be avoided by walking the Olmstead Loop
up to today's trailhead.
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