Stagecoach Trail

One of best, this trail follows the historic stagecoach road as it drops from the rim of down to the nearby historic crossing of bridges over North Fork of the American River. Little remains of the bridges, but the steady and relatively grand grade dropping to the river also makes it one of the best ways to climb back up hill. Popular with runners, walkers, mountain bikers and walking the dog.

...easiest route for bikes and families

 

...great canyon views through the oaks.

 

DESCRIPTION:

2.0 miles, easy down, moderate-plus up, elevations: 1360’-600’, ¾ hour down, 1½ hours up.

Historic Stage Route to Foresthill and Yankee Jim’s, offering wide, easy access down to the Confluence, and the best gradient coming up of all the other trails climbing from the bottom to the top. This makes it the easiest route for bikes and family friendly for all but smaller children. The route includes great canyon views through the oaks.

Perfect for year-round use but with little tree cover, summer users prefer morning or evening jaunts. Wintertime users enjoy the sunshine on the south and east aspects. The roadbed offers better footing during wet times and these dry out rapidly.

If you have time, here's an option you shouldn't pass up. Shortly down the trail from the Russell Street Parking, veer left onto the Upper Stage Coach Trail. After a short, gentle climb up to a dominant ridge there are a couple of wooden chairs that are perfectly placed to give you a grand view of the canyons below. Take time and enjoy Ma Nature at her best.

You can then return quickly to the Stagecoach trail. Or not. You can also continue north (upriver) and tie into the Mossy Rock and Bridgeview Trails to drop down to the lower swithchback on the Stagecoach Trail.

Still another option: Use the Manzanita and Park Access Trails to connect to the WST. I prefer drop off the Stagecoach Trail onto Manzanita, then continue dropping down these links, to the WST. From the Quary Bridge stay westside and use the trail connecting under the Confluence Highway 49 Bridge onto the parking area just before the Old Foresthill Highway Bridge. Then return up the Stagecoach trail and enjoy it's relatively hiker-friendly climb.

Planometric Map
Topographic Map
US Forest Service Map

Miles Elevation Range Options
2 1360’-600’

 

DIRECTIONS:

To Stagecoach Trail

From north: access is via Russell Road at the Foresthill Avenue intersection. From I-80 exit at Foresthill Road, turn immediately right (south) on Lincoln Way. Follow for 0.6 mile and turn left (east) on Russell Road. Follow 0.6 mile. Parking area is on the left (east) side of the intersection.

From south: the Connector trail begins at the Confluence parking on the Old Foresthill Highway. Follow Highway 49 south out of Auburn then turn left (north) just before the bridge as Highway 49 crosses the American River. The parking area is about a 1/4 mile north on the old highway just before the bridge crossing the North Fork of the American River. Follow the signed trail upriver on the west side of the North Fork. It connects with the old stagecoach road a short distance upriver and just before the trail continuing upriver crosses under the New Foresthill Bridge. Trust me, you can't miss the new bridge.

ACTIVITIES:

Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)

Difficulty: Moderate


2 miles one-way. Easy down, Moderately difficult up. This is the best way from Auburn to the Confluence with several links available to make a great outing. The trail is wide, fairly smooth, and a steady grade; difficulty is mostly physical for riding uphill on a return. Watch your speed downhill.


Here’s a fun loop that’ll help you earn a cool one -- either a plunge in the river or the drinkable kind: Lake Clementine Trail>Lower Clementine Lake Road>Fuel Break Trail>Culvert Trail> Confluence Trail. Keep in mind the need to save something for the return uphill to Auburn.

Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)

Difficulty: Easy Time: ¾ hour down, 1½ hours up

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