Euchre Bar and American Eagle Trails

Alta, Ca
Friday April 3^rd  2020

 
DIFFICULTY:   Strenuous

HIKE DISTANCE:   8.5 miles total in and out with a 1500 foot climb out at the end of the hike.

GENERAL LOCATION:   North fork of the American River near Alta, California.

DESCRIPTION:   Euchre Bar Trail is a well engineered and maintained single path with many switchbacks
starting at 3400 feet elevation.  It drops down 1500 feet to the north fork of the American River in .9 of a mile.
I have affectionately named this trail “One Time Trail” because no one wants to come back a second time.  The 
climb out will solidify your desire to strangle the hike leader but fortunately you will be too tired to carry out that 
fantasy. 

After crossing a pedestrian suspension bridge the trail transitions to American Eagle Trail which is a single path
that epitomizes the words wild and scenic.  It’s less traveled and maintained but beautiful.  Many gold mining 
relics can be seen as we follow the river for three miles roller coaster style +/- 100 foot elevation.  Our lunch 
break/turn around spot will be at a rustic piece of gold mining machinery above the river.  Bring a headlight and 
wet shoes if you want to check out the Mike Hike insanity option during the break. 

Additional information

TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE / DONATION / ETA BACK TO SCLH

    1 1/4 hours              51 miles             $9.00                       4:00 p.m.

HIKER LEADER / SWEEP:   Mike Nusink  /  Chris Wefers  

FACILITIES AVAILABLE:   Cement wall permanent vault toilet at the trail head. 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE HIKE:

ASSESS YOUR ENDURANCE LEVEL THE CLIMB OUT IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING

1)         Bring a copy of your ID (driver’s license), health card, and emergency contact name and number with you when you hike.

2)         If you have any health issues, please consider your condition before hiking.

3)        Always bring an extra pair of shoes along with a plastic bag to store your hiking boots  after the hike.  

4)        Bring a snack or lunch, if you wish, and water.

5)        Trekking poles would make life simpler on this hike. 

6)        If you were to bring the hike leader and sweep a Snickers Almond Bar it may increase the possibility that they finish the climb out. 

RISKS: 

Euchre Bar Trail is steep with a lot of slippery oak tree leaves and loose rocks.  American Eagle Trail is 
less traveled and maintained.  Be prepared to negotiate around or through poison oak overgrowth.  Five blown 
down trees were encountered during the pre-hike.  There is one creek crossing where the rocks are slippery 
and covered with moss.  One short section is loose scree with exposure and a drop off.  If it’s warm the 
gnats will be out in full force.  Ticks are often found on this trail. 

MEETING TIME:   7:30 a.m. at the fitness center section (row 14) of the Orchard Creek Lodge parking lot. 
We will depart at 7:45 a.m. 

            DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Take your favorite route to I-80 and go east.     

      Travel 30 miles on I-80 and take exit 146 toward Alta.                 

       Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Morton Rd.
     

      Travel 105 feet then turn left onto Casa Loma Rd and proceed .9 mile paralleling the freeway.

           Bear right on Casa Loma before the concrete underpass and continue for approximately  2.5  miles. 

           You will cross two separate uncontrolled railroad crossings with the road transitioning

                  from asphalt to gravel after the second one.  If dry, the gravel portion is easily navigated with a

                  two wheel drive sedan.  Another .7 of a mile and you will be at the trail head. 

                  There is limited parking at the vault toilet / trailhead (shouldn’t be a problem mid week).

            TRAIL TRACK

            thanks to Ed Murach for track and profile