American Canyon Trail

 6.4 miles from Georgetown. Easy-steep 5mi. R.T.

 ASRA from 3rd gate Auburn Lake Trails to MFAR                      MAP

Main connecting trail for access to Robie, Ball bearing, WST, Dead Truck trails, and Poverty Bar on south side of MFAR. Popular trail that drops down along the American Canyon creek, crosses just below its confluence with Hoboken Creek, continues down along the east side of the creek to cross again just above Poverty Bar.

There is a wealth of trails behind the gated Auburn Lake Trails development on the east facing canyon of the Middle Fork of the American River. These trails connect to the confluence area of highway 49 between Auburn and Cool.

Our main access to these trails from G.T. is called American Canyon trail and is great for winter hiking when the higher trails are inaccessible. Waterfalls and wildflowers galore in the Spring.

Directions: Take highway 193 towards Cool about 6 ½ miles and turn right on the unmarked road across from Pilgrim Rd. This is also known as “3rd gate” for Auburn Lake Trails. The trailhead is on the right before you get to the entrance gate for A.L.T.

The trail starts gently downhill on an old road following the north side of the American canyon drainage. In about 1/2 mile you come to the intersection with the Western States Trail (WST). Go L here if you want the easy and scenic Ball Bearing trail built on an old mining ditch and level for miles. Go R for Am. Cyn. Trail and then take the L fork at the next intersection to continue down the creek drainage towards the river, or R to stay up on the WST.

At about 1 mile you come to a creek crossing for American Cyn. Creek followed by a crossing of Hoboken creek. The trail then turns L and follows the creek down to an open landing and another trail intersection. Go L for the old WST to Cool and Poverty Bar, or R to Dead Truck trail which goes up to the newer WST route. You may notice the old grapevines at the landing area where one of the earliest vineyards used to be in the 1800’s.

If you go L you cross the creek, hike down along some great waterfalls, and watch for the small trail that will take you steeply down to Poverty Bar. Or you can stay up on the more level trail that parallels the river for 6 miles downstream to become the Quarry Trail.

Here is the link to the ASRA Canyon Keepers description of the American Canyon Trail.

Click HERE to view the Take A Hike! version of this hike.