This very well maintained trail is one of the most popular hiking and biking routes to the North Fork American River, in part because of its easy access from Colfax.
This very well maintained trail is one of the most popular hiking and biking routes to the North Fork American River, in part because of its easy access from Colfax. However, this is a remote trail, and hikers are advised to carry a whistle or hike with a friend. The trail passes through oak, laurel, douglas fir, and huge stands of manzanita. The wildflower displays here are rarely matched elsewhere in ASRA, particularly during April and May. Take plenty of water and use caution, as the trail is hot during summer months and steep at times with narrow passages. Poison Oak can be found along much of the trail.
- Distance 3.2 miles to river
- Approx length of time 1½ hours down, 3 hours up (hiking)
- Difficulty Easy down, moderate up
- Website Stevens Trail
- Best Feature Along the trail is a beautiful cascading waterfall, and shortly thereafter is perhaps the most distinctive landmark on the trail – an immense bed of shale cascading down the mountainside.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Waterfalls
Parking is on N. Canyon Way in Colfax. From Auburn, take I-80 east to the 2nd Colfax exit and turn left on the frontage road, N. Canyon Way. Continue 0.6 miles; turn left into a small parking area. Look for “trail” sign marking the trailhead.
ALSO CHECK OUT:
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American River Touring Association
Auburn, CA13384 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603Nowhere else do we launch in the tailway of a hydroelectric powerhouse. Nowhere else do we shove our unmanned rafts over a waterfall and then walk around. & Nowhere else do we float through a tunnel. Welcome to the Middle Fork of the American River.
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Lakeview Connector Trail
Auburn, CALake Clementine Road, Auburn, CA 95603This fairly level trail connects Lake Clementine Road to the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail, meandering through areas of chemise and foothill woodlands on the south side of the canyon above Lake Clementine.
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Geocaching – Squaw Valley
Olympic Valley, CAHigh Camp, Olympic Valley, CA 96146Geocachers can ride Squaw Valley’s scenic Aerial Tram up to High Camp, el. 8200 feet, to find 10 caches hidden among the mountain’s peaks using GPS coordinates.
