Italian Bar

(North Fork American River {N.Fk.Am.R.})

Hike # 12

Directions to trailhead: Follow I80 to Auburn and take the Foresthill Rd. exit. Drive 17 miles to the Mosquito Ridge Rd. junction (on the right). Set trip meter to 0.0 and continue straight on Foresthill Rd. At 13.9 miles, turn left onto Forest Rd. 66/Humbug Canyon Road/Italian Bar (signed) on the left. Drive 3.0 miles on this well graded road to trailhead.

Trailhead UTM: 10 S 07 00 793 43 39 563

Topographic Map: Westville 7.5’

Elevation: 4847’ to 2369’ (2694’ total elevation gain)

Distance: 5 miles round trip

Difficulty: Strenuous

Jurisdiction: Tahoe National Forest

Trail description: This trail is on the “shaded”(north facing) side of the canyon; it is a pleasant hike even in the summer. A mixed conifer forest canopy, including Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, and incense cedar, nicely shades most of the trail. As you descend, you will be treated to expansive upriver views of the N.Fk.Am.R. Canyon (designated “Wild and Scenic”). Near the river you will find ore car tracks that once enabled gold ore to be brought from the nearby mine, and to the stamp mill you will see near the river. The mineshaft (adit) is near the river, on a spur trail heading upstream.

Campsites: Several marginal campsites near river.