Robie Point to the No Hands Bridge  

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

DIFFICULTY:  Moderate

The hike has a few uphill sections but is relatively flat until we begin the 600 foot elevation drop down to the No Hands Bridge.  The hike length (6.5 miles) gives it its “moderate” rating but it is a relatively easy hike.    

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 -  Most of the hike is a loop with a couple portions of the trail used to double back.   The last 2 miles of trail are our decent to the No Hands Bridge, a trail we haven’t been on in many a year, and many of you – NEVER.

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 down hill 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.  This is accomplished with a short car drop for the drivers. 

While checking out the trail conditions today, Dennis, with excellent input from Mike Nusink and several hikers on the trails, modified the route to eliminate what would have been the steepest and muddiest section of downhill.   In its place Dennis found a really unique trail that runs from just upstream of the dam site all the way to the No Hands Bridge.   It is actually the roadbed of the defunct Mountain Quarry Railroad.   Of course the grade will be slightly downhill for about 3 miles (not too tough) with very interesting cement columns along the way where 18 trestles used to span the various tributaries.  This route also eliminates several of the nagging uphill sections, about a half mile of hiking and the need to loop back on any of the inbound trail.    What a find!  Thanks, Mike Nusink.

 Bottom Line:  A six mile point A to point B hike with a 600 foot elevation drop with half 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 Quarries 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 lunch.  We will have lunch at the scenic overlook of the dam site.  

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:   The trailhead is approximately 18 miles with a travel time of 30 minutes. Return time to Lincoln Hills should be around 3:00 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 lunch, 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:  8:45 AM   -- Leaving time: 9:00 AM

RAIN CANCELS HIKE

Driving Directions

Drive east on Hwy. 80 to Auburn.  Go past the Hwy. 49 Grass Valley / Placerville exit --- and take the next exit which is Elm Street.  Upon taking the exit, move to the left lane and turn left.  Go down the hill to the stop light and turn left onto High Street (which is also Hwy. 49).  Proceed to the right and up the hill to the intersection of Lincoln Way and Borland Ave.

Descend into the canyon on Hwy. 49.  The trail head is approximately 0.4 - 0.5 miles on the right from the traffic light.  There is a pullout on the right after the sign that reads “Auburn State Recreation Area”.  At the pullout there is a green metal gate with a small brown metal sign that says “130  - Murphys Gate to Robie Point”.