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Mountain Quarries Railroad Trail
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
The
hike has about 3 taxing short uphill sections but otherwise is not
difficult. It is relatively flat with a slight downhill grade the
last 2 miles as we traverse the defunct Mountain Quarries Railroad
roadbed with a 600 foot elevation drop down to the conclusion at the No
Hands Bridge. The hike length (6.5 miles) gives it its “moderate”
rating.
ELEVATION GAIN: Starting
and highest elevation is about 1200 feet – lowest elevation is at the
end of the hike at the No Hands Bridge at about 600 feet. So the
elevation gain is – 600 feet. That is a negative 600 feet.
Bottom Line: We end up 600 feet lower that when we started, proving not everything that goes down must come back up.
HIKE DISTANCE: 6 ½ miles one way trail, accomplished with a car drop.
GENERAL LOCATION: Auburn State Recreation Area. The trailhead is ½ mile from the center of Auburn.
DESCRIPTION: Our
old favorite winter hike to the Auburn Dam construction site (Another
Dam Hike - rated “Easy”) has been adjusted to add a downhill finishing
stretch of 2 miles to the No Hands Bridge at the confluence of the
north and middle forks of the American Rivers. So the length has
been upped to 6.5 miles but the added distance is ALL DOWN
HILL.
Bottom
Line: A 6.5 mile point A to point B hike with a 600 foot
elevation drop with much of the trail being a gradual decline on a
scenic defunct railroad bed. Now that is a hike you can’t
miss!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- North Fork of the American River: Terrific views from high above the North Fork of the American River. You will see water running down stream.
- Robie Point Overlook: Nah – Don’t bother. There really isn’t much to see from here that you haven’t already seen.
- Defunct Auburn Dam construction site:
The American river was restored to its original route in September,
2008 at a cost of $30 million with the closing of its Auburn Dam
diversion tunnel. You will overlook the newly constructed
1,000-foot-stretch of rock bed river bottom – a series of pools lined
with stone embedded in concrete - that will be used for paddlers as
Class III rapids as they paddle from the confluence of the two American
River forks down river to Rattlesnake Bar State Park.
Construction of the Auburn Dam was halted in 1977 but the preliminary
cuts into the canyon walls will linger for a long time and leave a
lasting impression on hikers. We will eat lunch overlooking the
dam site.
- Foresthill Bridge: Always an awe-inspiring site, especially when you realize the cement pilings would all be under water if the Auburn Dam (see above highlight) had been built.
- Black Hole of Calcutta Falls:
In route to the No Hands Bridge the trail crosses a tributary at the
foot of a scenic waterfall. Given the deep growth surrounding
this tributary, the falls has been called the “Black Hole of Calcutta
Falls” by early runners of the Western States 100 mile run.
- Mountain Quarries Railroad roadbed and concrete buttresses:
We will be hiking the Mountain Quarries Railroad roadbed on the trail
and will come across several concrete buttresses. One buttress
formerly held one end of a railroad trestle that spanned a stream we
will cross. The Mountain Quarries Railroad hauled limestone from
the Cool quarry 7 miles out of the North Fork canyon to the Central
Pacific railhead in Auburn. The railroad spanned the various
tributaries and the North Fork on eighteen trestles and one large
triple-arch concrete bridge. Service ended in 1939, and the rails
were torn up and recycled in 1941 for the war effort.
- Mountain Quarries Bridge:
At the end of the hike, having dropped 600 feet lower than when we
started at the trailhead, we will encounter the graceful arches of the
Mountain Quarry Bridge. Built by 800 workers at a cost of
$300,000, it was the longest concrete triple-arch bridge in the world
when it was completed in 1912. Since it was intended for railroad
use, the bridge originally had no sides or handrails, thereby earning
the local moniker of “No Hands” Bridge. It stands 150 feet over
the North Fork.
- No Hands Bridge historic plaque:
A historic plaque commemorates the significance of the
bridge. We will study this plaque. The bridge was
added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
- A negative 600 ft elevation gain:
If going downhill is your thing, then this is the hike for you.
After all, when is the last time you did a hike with more down hills
than up hills ??
LUNCH:
Bring
a snack for a mid hike break at the scenic overlook of the dam site. We will
have a late lunch at the Sierra Grill in Auburn. If you opt to pass on the Sierra Grill
for lunch, be sure you are in a carpool returning directly to Lincoln.
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: The
trailhead is approximately 18 miles with a travel time of 30 minutes.
Return time to Lincoln Hills should be around 3:30 PM. Suggested
contribution for riders is $3. Driving directions --- see below and please print before coming to the hike, if driving.
HIKE LEADER/SWEEP: Dennis Ratay / Margaret Ratay
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: None -- we will use the bathrooms at Orchard Creek before leaving the parking lot.
PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:
1) IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE HIKING.
2)
Bring a copy of your ID (driver's license), health card, and an
emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.
3)
Always bring 2 pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your
muddy/dusty hiking boots after the hike. DO NOT get your driver's
car dirty by wearing your dirty boots on the drive home.
4) Bring a snack, water, warm and layered clothing for the cold weather, and trekking poles (recommended) for some of the steeper downhill portions.
RISKS: Muddy, slippery trail in some parts, narrow trail in sections and a couple creek crossings.
QUESTIONS: Call Dennis Ratay at 543-9935.
MEETING TIME: 9:00 AM -- Leaving time: 9:15 AM
RAIN CANCELS HIKE
Some previous hike photos
Driving directions
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