Auburn State Recreation Area
|
Training Hill Loop Auburn State Recreation Area |
May 2, 2012
Having not managed to awaken until nearly noon today, it is too late to venture far from home for a hike. Having found some flowers on this trail in February a number of times previously, I am hoping that some more might be out today.
The walk begins on the bed of a former railway, created by the Portland
Cement Company solely for hauling limestone ore from the Mountain Quarry to
Auburn. To that end, the longest concrete-arch railroad bridge
in the world was completed in 1912. After being partially dismantled
for parts during WW2, it has been opened and closed several times.
For a while, many horseback riders enjoyed the challenge of making
hands-free rapid crossings of the structure, which had no guard rails
at the time; hence the name, "No Hands Bridge". Since 1998, it has been
open only to pedestrians and dismounted equestrians.
The No Hands Bridge is part of the Western States Trail
As I approach the bridge, the trail cuts up the hill to the left, back
toward the parking lot. It is a short climb to a junction for the
so-called Training Hill itself. This was part of the old stage
route from Auburn to Cool. I'm surely glad that I wasn't a horse around
here in the 1880s, for this climb would have been murderous!
Training Hill
Within ten minutes, Highway-49 comes into view. After a climb of nearly
700 feet, a shortcut heads across the loop; but I am not interested in pig
farms today. I am, however, interested in the flowers; and there are
a few around — finally.
California Poppy
Pale Flax
Yerba Santa
The climb continues for a total of about 900 feet. On my last prior visit, I actually made it all the way up here without stopping for a break; but today there were distractions, or at least that's my story.
The trail passes through an area noted on the topo sheet as Pointed Rocks. It is easy to see why in these two photos that actually were shot in January:
Pointed Rocks — known to early miners as "tombstone rocks"
The metamorphic remains of an ancient seabed
At another trail junction I have the option of heading for the community of Cool, and there is a nice pizza/bistro place there; but it's not on today's menu.
By veering left at every junction, eventually I am headed back in a northerly direction. The trail is much prettier on this side of the loop.
Hartweg's Iris
Prettyface
When I round a corner, I startle an interestingly colored little
critter — a coral-bellied ring-necked
snake. It is too quick for me, so my only photo is rather blurry.
Red on the top
Red on the bottom
After a number of failed efforts, I manage a fine butterfly shot:
Pipevine Swallowtails are partial to Blue Dicks ⇔
Larkspur
Indian Pink
Another butterfly has beautiful markings on the tops of its wings, but it won't open them for me while it is feeding.
Sulfur Butterfly
Despite urges to plunge off the trail to photograph something or other,
I must remain on constant vigil; for poison oak is everywhere, and the burns
I incurred sixteen days ago haven't cleared up yet. It seems that
urushiol oil can and did penetrate these ultra-light, quick-dry
hiking pants of mine — something that never happened when wearing
denims.
In two places some running water crosses the path; it can only come from a spring, because there never is any snow in this neighborhood.
The last portion of the loop parallels the road and its attendant noises. Near the end, a spur trail provides access to the road and the Quarry Trail. Going that way also would represent a shortcut to the car, but I am in no hurry.
Foresthill Bridge — the highest in California at 731 feet
That structure currently is undergoing a $74-million seismic retrofit.
Built in 1973 to accommodate the ill-fated Auburn Dam, the original
cost was just thirteen million dollars. There also have been at least
fifty-five suicides committed from that point.
Middle Fork American River
§: It wasn't too hot on the trail today; soon, it will be.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Flowers |  |
| Solitude | |
