American River Trail
DESCRIPTION:
No motorized vehicles. This is the best and only trail following the Wild River and is the best way to experience the canyon. The trail continues by old mining cabins and sites, and some grand, big old trees. Numerous camping spots are available just about anywhere you want to settle in for the night. The river trail is easy; the challenge is getting down to the river canyon and especially the climb getting out again.
Fishing for wild rainbow and Brown trout is good (numerous trout, 10"-14").
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2680’-3320’ | This trail has several options for accessing this "easy" trail along the bottom of the canyon. None of these are easy, in or out. See Nearby Locations. Mumford Bar is the easiest but if you combine it with Sailor Flat on the other end of the American River Trail, you have a great option. But you'll want to arrange transportation at the other end. |
DIRECTIONS:
To American River Trail
Topographic Maps: Duncan Peak, Royal Gorge.
From the west (down river) use the Mumford Bar Trail. From the east (up river) use the Sailor Flat Trail. If you can arrange transportation ahead, take this great trip: travel down one way and out the other (15.6 miles). The easiest direction of travel drops down Sailor Flat Trail and up the Mumford Bar Trail.
About mid-way along its length the American River Trail can also be reached from the Foresthill Divide via the Beacroft Trail.
An even more adventuresome trail drops from the north and I-80 via Loch Leven Lakes & Cherry Point/Big Granite Trails. You have to ford the River; so try this route only after runoff has decreased. Read the trail descriptions for those options before trying either one.
ACTIVITIES:
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Best)
The location of this trail is exceptional, but for equestrian users the best access in and out is the Mumford Bar Trail. Sailor Flat allows an alternative but there is loose rock on the steeper parts of the trail. Plus, there is no easy way to use both access trails in and out without leaving a trailer(s) suitable for all of the stock. Or you can leave a vehicle suitable for shuttling vehicles. Therefore, for equestrian users it's easier to go in and out again at Mumford Bar.
Fishing (Rating: Good)
There are plenty of fish, but the area is not known for larger sized fish. Due to the remote character, the Wild River receives very little fishing pressure, yet has marvelous water. The American River Trail is the only trail access that gives access to several miles of fishable river. See North Fork of American River: Sailor Flat Trail to Euchre Bar Trail.
Hiking - Backpacking (Rating: Good)
If you go to the trouble to hike down to this great trail along the river, you ought to take the time to fish, swim, or explore the river. There are suitable camping spots along both the trail and the nearby river.
The hiking or backpacking along the river trail itself is easy. Getting down into the canyon is easy to moderate. Ah, but the climb out back to the trailhead, is difficult to challenging --depending on which trail you use. My favorite is to drop down the Sailor Flat Trail and climb out on the Mumford Bar Trail. But then you need to arrange a ride back to your starting point. If you're going in and out the same way, the best trail up and down is Mumford Bar.
Wildfire from careless campers could be a major problem in this canyon that is rich with heavy forest and dense brush. There are no developed sites and even few rock rings as there are few campers. Be careful.
The river is cold and deceptively swift in the spring and usually well into July. Be careful, before you try to swim. It's best to wait until late July or August and September.
In short, this is a Wild River. Treat it accordingly.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Exceptional)
The American River Trail is an easy hike along the river. Getting out of the canyon at either end is difficult to challenging.
