WST-08 (Run) Ruck-a-Chucky - Hwy 49 Crossing/Cool
DESCRIPTION:
Trail stays high on hillside with awesome canyon views until it hits the Sliger Mine Road and drops rapidly to Cherokee Bar Camp.
No bikes.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 1560’-700’ | Options galore: For shorter loops drop down Murder’s Bar, Brown’s Bar, or Main Bar Trails. Then return downriver on the Quarry Road Trail. All connectors between the two trails offer quicker ways to access the river. Brown’s and Main Bar drop down a bit too quickly, but you’ll be heading downhill. If you return west all the way out to the beginning of the Quarry Road Trail to Highway 49, you’ll want to spot a second vehicle there or arrange transportation back up the hill to Cool. Or, you can return up the hill over the Western States Trail (Tevis) at Murderer’s Bar to return to the Western States Trail (Runners) and back to Cool. An ultimate loop adventure: Follow the Western States Trail (Runners) to the Sliger Mine Road. You could drop down to the river on the road and stay overnight at Cherokee Bar Camp, or you can start the return trip earlier. Once you hit the Dead Truck Trail east of the American Canyon, turn left (west) and start the long trek back. At Poverty Bar pick up the Western States Trail (Tevis) and follow it downriver. At Murderer’s Bar you can continue up the Tevis Cup trail until it rejoins the Runner’s trail a short distance up the hill. Turn right (west) up that trail and cross Highway 49 and return to Cool. Or if you can arrange transportation have a pick-up at the end of the Quarry Road Trail on Highway 49 near the Confluence. Then ride up to Cool in cool comfort. One more option: The Western States Trail (Runners) connects to the American Canyon Trail in that canyon only about a mile below that trail’s trailhead off Highway 193. This makes an easy place to spot a second vehicle or arrange a pick-up. This combination stays high enough on the side-hill that the climb up out of the river canyon is minimal. |
DIRECTIONS:
To WST-08 (Run) Ruck-a-Chucky - Hwy 49 Crossing/Cool
Topographic maps: Auburn, Greenwood
Directions from Cool trailhead: Drive Highway 49 southeast from Auburn to Cool with its one stop light (C). About 0.25 mile before the stoplight turn right (west) on St. Florian Ct. Park in the spacious parking area west of (past) the fire station. Follow signs on the north side of the street around the northeastern segment of Olmstead Loop. After about 0.5 mile turn right at the connecting trail to access Western States Trail. Once you reach the Western States Trail turn right and drop east to cross Highway 49 at the quarry. Note: parking is not permitted along the highway or on quarry grounds.
Directions from the east, river end -- yep, Ruck-a-Chucky Campground -- if you’re willing to ford the river. An alternative destination can be Cherokee Bar Camp on the same side of the river as the trail, so fording the river is not required. You can arrange vehicle pick-up at both Ruck-a-Chucky and Cherokee Bar, but roads to both are rough.
ACTIVITIES:
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Best)
See Nearby Locations for other segments of the WST.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
This contains some great segments, but best done from other trails.
