Auburn State Recreation Area
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Confluence Explorations Auburn State Recreation Area |
March 20, 2022
A Back Way to Oregon Bar
An AllTrails map shows lots of trail not on my beloved albeit older USGS Topo sheets. A couple of them suggest that I 'expand my territory' on the frequently visited hillside between Auburn and the North Fork American River.
The Shirland Canal starts life some miles north of town
Even this entry-point was new to me until late last year.
Numerous home-owners have created private accesses
The North Fork American River ends its life at Folsom Lake
Thanks. I'll risk it
The start of Cardiac Hill
This begins the 800-foot plunge to the river. Having gone down this way only once previously, it is not the preferred scenario. Because the path is uncomfortably steep, the likelihood of slipping on the sandy path is pretty high.
Blue Dicks are out in numbers, but that is about all
They left me the only picnic table, so it's time for a snack
They are trotting pretty fast
Looking north at Oregon Bar
Nice poppies
It's time to head southward for a while, which I have not done previously.
That bridge leads south to Granite Bay
I take the path to the right, as per the plan.
Shooting Stars
The non-scenic route is a relentless but mild gradient
After a long ascent, I catch up with a pair of young women who step aside, saying,
"We don't want to hold you up". Shortly thereafter, I reach a point near a row
of houses. A little lesser-used path heads off to the left; I believe
that is what I want.
Within a short distance, it looks as if this trail must be a private affair, because
just ahead of me is an imposing wall of black wrought-iron fencing. walkway
that magically 'parts' the fences and allows me to access the city street.
An amazing right-of-way
Wow! I never have seen anything like this.
The two women are emerging from the all-but-hidden access involving a private
driveway
The last quarter-mile is on the sidewalk lining Eagles Nest Road.
The car is just out of sight
§: Well, I did find an alternative route, albeit a most unusual one.
A different trail access to Eagles Nest Road awaits further exploration.
March 22, 2022
A Visit to Mammoth Bar
Needing to get out of the house during yet another record-setting heat wave,
I do my usual thing of driving 35+ miles up into the foothills for a walk.
For the second time in as many outings, I will try to find someplace new and
interesting.
Parking about 2½ miles up Old Foresthill Road from the confluence, the trail that I find is utilized only by bikes and doesn't look like fun at all; so I relocate half a mile back down the highway across from the junction to the Shortcut Trail, which I have used twice previously to access Lake Clementine.
Armed with a map showing lots of trails but no matching coordinates, I set off in the other direction, downhill toward the river.
Getting started
The biggest poppy I ever saw is nearly five inches across
Immediately I encounter a road offering a choice of direction. I opt to go right, which would turn out to be wrong.
The well-known limestone quarry is across the river
Presently, I encounter paved road, which is not what was wanted. A glance at my map clearly shows that I should have expected this. Stupid. There is little option now but to walk down the road to the river and whatever else is to be found. One thing guaranteed to be there is motorcycles, because I have been hearing them since my first stop.
A beautiful segment of the Middle Fork American River
At the bottom of the road is a gated entry. When the young woman attendant
assures me that I won't have to pay to get in, I press on into an extensive complex of
machinery, fencing, and port-a-potties. This all supports a short motocross
track that features a couple of jumps, and there is a section containing some granite
boulders for those wishing to hone their trials-riding skills.
Half a dozen bikers are on the track now
I continue down beside the gravel bar, assuming that I am on the right track; but it
promptly dead-ends. Retreating a couple hundred yards, I find a signed route
right beside the race track, separated by a fence.
Starting up the River Bar Trail
A previously unseen section of the Middle Fork
Although the map shows numerous trail options of varying lengths, it is just hot enough now that I will opt for the shortest remaining route. The next left turn is the objective, but it is not signed in the expected fashion. I assume that the "DO NOT ENTER" sign denoting a "One Way" route is intended for motorcycle riders, because I have not seen the like of that on a bicycle trail.
Wrong way or not, that's my ticket out of here
I need to be careful, lest a biker plunge down toward me; he won't be expecting any obstacles.
Hot, steep, and tiring
Ultimately, the trail winds upward and just to the right of that high rock outcropping. Because of the heat, several brief rest stops are in order in shady spots.
This hilltop is nearly 300 feet higher than where I started
A left turn is in order here. The map is proving most helpful.
At the next junction, I turn right onto the Hillside Trail, which proves to be the most difficult going of the day. Albeit an old road, it is so steep that I must mind my footing; and I now am glad that I brought along my walking stick.
The shaded areas are most welcome
At yet another junction, I have the choice of doing more downs-and-ups; but I opt for the shortest remaining route, knowing that something strange is about to happen. Surely enough, within half a mile I emerge onto Old Foresthill Road exactly where I had originally parked!
A few hours ago, I found the wrong trail, while the right one was partially hidden by bushes and trees. Had I located it previously, everything would have changed.
My car is way down there, but at least it's down
§: Well, it would behoove me to get a park map showing all the trail names.
I saw one advertised online for $15; but I'm sure that a much less expensive version is
available at the park headquarters, halfway down the hill from Auburn.
