For a trail to get your cardiac workout on, and for now, a view of the snow-capped Sierras, this is your best hike in the Sacramento and surrounding area.
This sign is at the bottom of the Training Hill, but it isn't too late to take the easy trail to the left. (WST is Western States Trail, also known as Wendell T Robie.) |
Distance: The Training Hill is 2.4 miles out and back from the trailhead. You can extend this hike to much more using other options including the Olmstead Loop and Western States Trail. Check Wikiloc or EveryTrail for GPS tracks.
Difficulty: This one is short, but unless you are already fit, it is a hard one. The trail is a rocky, washed out, mess. Really fun for hiking-fitness enthusiasts! This honestly is the best possible training hike near the valley. ASRA reports the grade at 16%-30% in 1.2 miles. You will LOVE the 16% breaks!
Advisories:
- Poison oak in this area.
- Steep and has poor footing. Take care to evaluate what you and your group are up to.
- Horses are allowed on these trails. Please defer to them if you meet them along your way.
- Bears and cougars have been seen in the area in the past. Keep your eyes open. Keep your dog with you for safety.
Driving Directions: From I-80 take the exit marked CA-49S (toward Placerville) and 193E (toward Georgetown). You will turn left at the signal just off the freeway onto Elm and at the next signal you will turn left again. Follow the signs to CA49 and 193. When you see the river, watch for the split where you can go straight ahead or across the river. When you cross it, park along the right hand side (for free, while all other nearby parking has fees). Park a bit diagonally as a courtesy to fit as many cars as possible along that stretch and to make it easier for everyone to get out back onto the road.
If you are coming from CA-50, you can use CA-49N, following signs to Auburn and Cool. The road will have hairpin turns shortly before you reach the parking mentioned above, just before crossing the river. (You can GPS from your location to Cool, then continue on 49 to this parking).
The "No Hands" Bridge, or "Railroad Quarry" Bridge |
This shot was taken standing on the Quarry Bridge looking back to the CA-49 bridge. |
This part of the trail is easy with some ups and downs.
Arriving at the fork of the WST and the Training Hill, there is a sign you can't miss. You can get an idea of the difficulty, keeping in mind the trail rises sharply, but does have level sections.
Brace yourselves!
Some sections are wet, slippery at this time (February), with wet pine needles adding to slick footing. There is significant water damage to the trail that helps me with footing.The photos do not capture the steepness of the hill~just sayin'. Be prepared.
This is a wonderful spot and in person the view is
refreshing as you hike the mile upward.
A lot of the trail has stickers and shrubs beside it but there are
some openings and small meadow areas to rest in.
Like I said, the camera can't capture what the eye can. You can enjoy Sierra snow caps from this large meadow to the left of the trail near the top. The fact that it was wet and slippery in some sections made me take small steps and traverse to avoid falling. This is hard on knees too so if you have even an older knee injury, at least bring a brace just in case. Hiking poles help avoid slips too.
Olmstead Loop at the top of the Training Hill in Auburn, CA. |
Wikiloc has tracks for this hike.
Happy Trails!
For more trails in the Auburn area:
Auburn
State Recreation Area (ASRA) and Surrounding Areas
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Date
|
Trail
|
Miles
|
Difficulty
|
2016-02
|
2.4-4.7 mile keyhole
|
Moderate
|
|
2016-02
|
4.8
|
Very steep with poor footing.
|
|
2011-09
|
3 miles
|
Moderate-Strenuous
|
|
2011-05
|
1+ miles
|
Easy trail with minor creek crossing
|
|
2010-04
|
About 10 miles
|
Moderate due to distance and unclear markings
|
|
2011-05
|
3-7 miles
|
Easy with a minor creek crossing
|
|
2012-11
|
3+ (I did 9) miles
|
Easy
|
|
2012-08
|
2.8 miles
|
Easy-Moderate
|
|
2012-08
|
5.75 miles
|
Mod-Strenuous
|
|
2012-07
|
Up to 19 miles available trails
|
Easy +
|
|
2011-06
|
Ruck-A-Chucky
Towards Ford’s Bar Paradise Falls
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4.5 miles
|
Moderate
|
2012-04
|
4.3-18.9 available miles
|
Easy - Strenuous
|
|
2011-04
|
Mossy
Rock Trail (starts at Stagecoach)
|
Under 2 miles
|
Easy
|
See the full Table of Contents.
Updated with links 06-2016
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