Black Hole of Calcutta Falls Hike

• Take Highway 80 to Auburn following signs to Highway 49.  The road is curvy just as you leave Auburn, and along the way you will see cars parked in turnouts. 
• Cross the river at the first bridge, following the sign towards Cool and Coloma. 
• Just after crossing the river there is a green forestry gate, closed and locked, on your right.  Park in this area, preferable at a 45 degree angle, backed in for easy exit, and leaving room for more cars to park. 
• The other option is to drive a bit further and on the left is a small paid parking with an outhouse at that trail head, then walk back to the Confluence trail head. 
• Walk around the gate and as you approach the smaller old quarry bridge, there is a sign pointing to Auburn or to the "Training Hill".  For this hike, go towards Auburn.

Bees were all around the abundant blackberry blooms.

This is one of the many side trails down to the river, not too hard to negotiate.

These are rocky or sandy spots secluded somewhat by rocky outcroppings, and thank goodness, since I am throwing out the knowledge that you go here at your own risk.  It is a reportedly a favorite nude sunbathing area for guys, and they had no respect in general for clothed peoples' sensitivities. I saw many people with youngsters hiking the area, mostly back uphill, and none staying by the river.

These were about the size of a pencil eraser!

This little gem stood alone beside the main trail towards Auburn.

The bright and thorny Milk Thistles were in full bloom!

The view from one of the small trails down to the water.

Another side trail to the water with a very small runoff crossing.

Here was a secluded resting spot where the views were nice, and I spent a while trying fruitlessly to take photos of the birds swooping over the water.

The water flow at Black Hole of Calcutta Falls 
was surprisingly low since we just had the T-storm!

The purple blooming bushes I told you about last time are withering now, but the color intensity you see below is natural with no photo edits made!

Peachy Hiker's Table of Contents

Related Articles:

ASRA ~ Auburn State Recreation District

• American Canyon Trail & Waterfalls in Cool, CA
• Training Hill in Auburn/Cool, CA
• Western States Trail (WST) from Confluence to Auburn
• Confluence Memorial Day Hike
• Mossy Rock Trail, Auburn, CA
• Cardiac Bypass-North Fork
• BLM ~ Bureau of Land Management
  Near Auburn, CA
  • Dave Moore Nature Area

edit spelling 1/5/2018

Mossy Rock Trail, 2 mile easy hike, Auburn, CA

Difficulty: Pretty easy, though it is a little workout right at the beginning

Distance:  Less than 2 miles.

Notes:  Trail head is located at the new restroom on the left side of Foresthill Road just East of Highway 49 bridge crossing the river on your right. Free parking at this time although there is talk about fees being required soon. For more info: Stagecoach Trail History . Dogs are allowed on leashes (per a sign at the trail head), and children who like the outdoors could do this hike.  Some of the Mossy Rock Trail would be unsuitable for a stroller due to deep trench like sections eroded from water and use. I haven't used GPS there, but Wikiloc may have tracks for it.

• There is now a $10 parking fee at the Confluence.

This was expected to be a rainy day hike so I carried my day pack with a waterproof shell and a warmer fleece, just in case.  The Stagecoach Trail, which began climbing uphill toward the giant Foresthill bridge, was wide, weathered, and lined with ferns and wildflowers. 

As I climbed I caught views of the bridge.  It was gratifying to see it at almost eye level! 
I put the hiking poles away and focused on hiking and getting photos. 
The trail "Mossy Rock" took off to the left, narrowing quite a bit,
but intrigued me...almost a deer trail.  Bicycles had obviously used it, even recently.  

The butterflies floated playfully around me,
but I had the hardest time catching them in my camera frame! 
With persistence, I finally captured shots of a couple of them resting and snacking. 

They shimmered and glistened in the sun.  When they rested on the trail, 

they flopped down and spread their wings flat to the ground as if dead!  

But as soon as I got close enough to frame and shoot them, 

off they went, teasingly defiant.

The American River Canyon photographed from the Mossy Rock Trail.

The storm I expected to hamper my hike was visible in the distance. I was hiking in short sleeves.  I had to reset my camera lighting for too much brightness.  The view was rewarding when it opened out into the canyon every so often.

This was a surprising view, caught just between the trees and

shrubs along the trail,

of the old Quarry Bridge crossing the American River

just downstream of the confluence.

 

Rounding a corner another window opened a glimpse of the river rapids.

This bench was placed in remembrance for a person who loved the canyon.  

It makes a nice resting place to just soak in the warmth and views.

This was part of the Mossy Rock Trail, lined with blooms that day, and well shaded.  

There were several small and shallow water crossings along the way.  

A final canyon view and it was back to the car.    I spent three hours there, 

but quite a bit of it chasing butterflies!

Happy Trails and I hope you have a great time!

Peachy Hiker's Table of Contents

or

Related Articles:



ASRA ~ Auburn State Recreation District
• American Canyon Trail & Waterfalls in Cool, CA
• Training Hill in Auburn/Cool, CA
• Western States Trail (WST) from Confluence to Auburn
• Confluence Memorial Day Hike
• Mossy Rock Trail, Auburn, CA
• Cardiac Bypass-North Fork
• BLM ~ Bureau of Land Management
  Near Auburn, CA
  • Dave Moore Nature Area
  updated 9-2012