Training Hill, Auburn, CA Feb. 2016

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

To Hike:  Go through green gate 150 near the parking along the highway, next to the river.  Head toward the Quarry Bridge, a beautiful historic bridge with classic arches. Look down into the river you see old mining remnants.

This shot was taken standing on the Quarry Bridge looking back to the CA-49 bridge.

 Just before the No Hands Bridge there is a narrow trail heading off to the left which has a sign marking mileage for Cool or Auburn, which points you toward the Training Hill and WST (Western States Trail, also referred to on some maps and signs as the Wendell T Robie Trail.)  The trail doubles back toward the road and through the trees and you can see the bridge and river.

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.

WST is to the left and the Training Hill to the right. It is grueling going up until you are in great condition, and going down is....grueling.  If you see the Training Hill and get intimidated, you can hike up the WST.  It is beautiful and fairly easy.

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.

Olmstead Loop is, in fact, a loop that begins at the top of the hill which winds through trees but is a giant meadow area.  From it you can return to the cars following signs to the WST to Auburn (this way is 4.7 miles, and less steep) and by taking the first trail that forks to the left through the meadow. Its the shortest trail to WST that looks a bit narrow, very well traveled, still heading southeast, then nearer the trees will end up heading basically north. The WST will run parallel to the highway when it gets near the parking, but its up higher and in the trees. Or just hike down the Training Hill.
Wikiloc has tracks for this hike.

Happy Trails!
For more trails in the Auburn area:

Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA) and Surrounding Areas
Date	Trail	Miles	Difficulty
2016-02	Training Hill in Auburn, CA-WST	2.4-4.7 mile keyhole	Moderate
2016-02	Training Hill up and down	4.8	Very steep with poor footing.
2011-09	Training Hill in Auburn, CA	3 miles	Moderate-Strenuous
2011-05	Western States Trail (WST) from Confluence to Auburn	1+ miles	Easy trail with minor creek crossing
2010-04	Quarry Trail and Browns Bar	About 10 miles	Moderate due to distance and unclear markings
2011-05	Black Hole of Calcutta	3-7 miles	Easy with a minor creek crossing
2012-11	Olmstead Knickerbocker Trails	3+ (I did 9) miles	Easy
2012-08	Codfish Creek Falls	2.8 miles	Easy-Moderate
2012-08	Cardiac Bypass North Fork	5.75 miles	Mod-Strenuous
2012-07	Hidden Falls	Up to 19 miles available trails	Easy +
2011-06	Ruck-A-Chucky Towards Ford’s Bar  Paradise Falls	4.5 miles	Moderate
2012-04	American Canyon and Waterfalls	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

Sugar Pine Reservoir: Hikes, Fishing, Boating, Camping, Swimming...

Beautiful views, an easy drive, forested, and at higher elevation for a cooler temperature. Perfect for a family day on the water.  Equestrian trails too.

Located 15 miles northeast of Foresthill.

Perfect.  There are four main recreation areas around the lake, including the boat ramp, campgrounds, a picnic area, and a swimming beach.  There are numerous places to swim and hang out which you can get to by trail or boats, kayaks, and rafts.  I found two rope swings near each other. Most of the facilities are wheelchair accessible.  Boats are limited to ten miles per hour.

One entrance.  The trail beyond this is excellent ~ don't worry!  There are other places to park and get to the lake, too. 

One of the things I enjoyed was how quickly some places along the lakeside have a drop off so I could get submerged at once rather than wade in slowly and painfully! If you prefer the gradual, beach-like spots, they are all around the lake too.

The trail is shady, making your hike more pleasant, then you can choose some sunny spot to hang out if you prefer.  I had few bugs or mosquitos bother me.  At 3500 feet elevation, this makes a great escape from the valley heat!

 For your inner tarzan! 

 Rope swings were popular this weekend.

 Fishing for warm and cold water species is good.  The boat ramp (with a large parking and restroom)is located on the southeast side of the lake.  I parked on the southwest side where there is also ample parking, no restroom, that is located along Sugar Pine Road before it becomes Iowa Hill Road.

 Several campgrounds are walking distance from the lake, as well as day use parking with the advantages of picnic tables and bathrooms.  Manzanita Day Use Area fills up on hot days.  There are also biking and horseback riding trails available, and OHV areas are open in Tahoe National Forest.

 Family and group sized spots were available when I drove through Shirttail Campground on Saturday, but I would always recommend trying for reservations.

 As I left, I made the decision to follow the "primitive road", Iowa Hill Road to Colfax, rather than retrace my longer drive up through Foresthill.  The views were a pleasure, if you don't mind driving along a mountainside with steep canyon walls descending father down than the eye could see along one side!

Before long I entered the fee area (laughably) since behind this sign is a wide turnout without so much as a garbage can!  However, there are some excellent recreation sites and campgrounds in Tahoe National Forest.

   For campgrounds and fees, click here.

 Hairpin turns on this "primitive" route too.  As you can see, the term means narrower, and curvy, but not dirt or for four wheelers.  The pavement was well maintained.

 As you reach the North Fork of the American River, there are day use spaces (fees apply) and a campground available near the river.  Not far back up the hill from here is the parking for another favorite hike called Windy Point Trail.

On my way to town, I couldn't resist stopping in a non-fee area to pick blackberries.  They are delights, each and every one!  More flavorful than any you find in stores or fruit stands!

Activities

• BIKING
• BOATING
• CAMPING
• FISHING
• HIKING
• HORSEBACK RIDING
• PICNICKING
• WATER SPORTS
• WILDLIFE VIEWING

Almost everything here fits into "Easy" ratings, although the day use beach and near the boat ramp are best with small children.

To find your way, a map is provided here.

 Happy Trails!  See Trails By Locations for more ideas!

Stevens Trail in Colfax, CA

The 7.5-9 mile round trip on historic Stevens Trail is conveniently located near Colfax off I-80.  It is well maintained, offers excellent canyon views, and is lavishly adorned with wildflowers in the spring! 

Parking is provided, and there is a bathroom at the trailhead.

As noted,  it is a 9 mile round trip, so well suited for a whole day hike.  You will hike down about 1200 feet and back up on your return.

After weaving through the shady woods, the trail opens out onto this old roadway.



You will soon find more wide woody sections.



Some sections are lush and lined with shrubby, riparian, wildflower dotted and narrow trail.  It is easy to follow though. 

As things get more of the western exposure, they dry up considerably, making it best to start your hike before the heat has set in.

This wonderful stream crosses the trail.  No wet feet necessary; rocks are there to step across.  Carry water in since this is not acceptable drinking water.

 There is poison oak and there are also cougar warnings.  Best hiked in groups making some noise to avoid surprising wildlife.  Keep kids close to adults.

At last, views of the length of the canyon open up.



Along this section, some turn back for fear of heights!  The trail is almost flat
but spooky views aren't for the faint of heart!



Far below is the river, your destination. 
The openness of the views can bring on vertigo!  (Chuckle)



Stevens Trail wildflowers are colorful distractions!

I started out a bit late in the day, and it gets HOT along the canyon walls.

On your return, it is a pleasure to re-enter the riparian, moist cool woods.

I found some great information for my hike at MVTA.

• From I80, take the Canyon Way exit at Colfax and follow the frontage road east (to your left), alongside the freeway.  It will take you to the parking.
• Do not park on the roadway please.  Use the provided parking for the trail.  The restroom is in the parking lot.
• Again, take water and snacks.  Try to arrive early for parking and a cool hike.  Leave your plans with someone at home and allow enough time to hike out before sunset.





For a fabulous set of GPS tracks you can send to your iPhone, and a detailed description of the trail, go to Everytrail.
For more trail reviews by Peachy Hiker:   Trails by Location
HAPPY TRAILS!