Otter Creek

(Georgetown Divide)

Hike # 28

Directions to trailhead: From Auburn, take Hwy 49 south to Cool. Turn left at stoplight onto Hwy 193. At 12.3 miles, turn left at stop sign (Main St./Wentworth Springs) in Georgetown. At 3.0 miles turn left onto Breedlove Rd. Drive 2.4 miles (At 0.1 mile, take middle fork). Cross Bottle Hill Rd. and continue straight for 0.3 mile to a “T”. Park well off the road.

Trailhead UTM: 10 S 06 92 413 43 13 385

Topographic Map: Georgetown 7.5’

Elevation: 3116’ to 2254’ (1928’ total elevation gain)

Distance: 3 miles round trip to Paymaster Mine

Difficulty: Moderate

Jurisdiction: El Dorado National Forest

Trail description: Walk 0.25 mile down the path to the right to a sign “Otter Creek”. Another sign soon directs you to the trail on the left. Soon you will cross a ditch once used to carry water some 20 miles from Otter Creek to mining operations. Note the historical “candlestick” blazes, consisting of a long vertical gash topped by a shorter “flame” gash. Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans to grind acorns are found near the creek crossing. After you cross Otter Creek, walk downstream a short distance to find the trail, which then continues uphill toward Paymaster mine (spur trail on left, shortly after passing two posts set in trail).

Campsites: There are several adequate campsites near Otter Creek.

Note: Hikes #28 & 29 may be hiked as a loop, see Hike #30.

Click HERE to view the Georgetown Hiking Trails version of this hike.