Euchre Bar Trail

Getting to the North Fork of the American River is soooo easy. You just park near the trailhead at Iron Point (elevation 3,720 ft) and walk 1.27 miles to the footbridge (elevation 1,897 ft). From there, it's pretty level all around. Poke around the old mining areas. Look at the glacial moraines. And then, when your leg muscles are good and tight, start that 1,823 foot climb on the 6,706 foot trail back to your vehicle. For every ten feet of trail, that's 2.7 feet higher. Just an average, though - there's one stretch that's a real bear.

When trudging uphill, remind yourself that this is about the easiest access to this section of the river.

I usually make Euchre Bar Trail my first strenuous hike of the year. I go when my legs are good and out of shape.

I remember one particularly exhausting hike up that old miner's trail. It was on March 28, 2004. I met Russell Towle and his hiking friend by the bridge. Russell invited me to accompany them further up the river, but I judged I had only enough energy to get back to my truck. Four months later, I was at home recovering from open heart surgery for mitral valve prolapse.

Enough talk! Let's hike to the river!

First, park your vehicle. Set the brake, then look at Giant Gap. Commence the hike downhill. Look at the river far, far below.

You reach the river quickly enough. Take time to poke around the old mining sites. Look at the polished rocks from the glacial moraine. Stop halfway across the bridge and look up the river. A lot of gold was pulled out of this area. Walk across the bridge and take one look back.

You pass several mining sites. Some are terraces that date to the first miners, who leveled the steep hillsides to make their camps. The last mining boom was during the Great Depression. So the debris at these sites ranges from the early 1850s to the late 1930s.

The hike is mostly level back to the bridge. Before commencing the uphill portion, say hello to the recreational goldpanner at the base of the bridge.

Return to your vehicle. Drive home. Drink two bottles of cold Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.