American Canyon Dayhike 2006

Trail map for American Creek Canyon. Adapted from a similar map by Waterfallswest.com. The hike is about 2.7 miles each way, with about 1100' elevation loss from the Pilgrim Court trailhead ...

2009-02-21T01:55:32Z

Frank Farmer
Trail map for American Creek Canyon. Adapted from a similar map by Waterfallswest.com. The hike is about 2.7 miles each way, with about 1100' elevation loss from the Pilgrim Court trailhead ...

Our group for today. From left: Frank, Allison, Susan, Karen, Patrick, Jean, Heide, Bree, Brian, and Rich.

2009-06-07T14:28:37Z

Frank Farmer
Our group for today. From left: Frank, Allison, Susan, Karen, Patrick, Jean, Heide, Bree, Brian, and Rich.

Near the start of the trail. It started out as a somewhat narrow trail, soon widening to a full lane width, perhaps for old mining wagons. This entire area is laced with old gold mines.

2009-06-07T14:14:21Z

Frank Farmer
Near the start of the trail. It started out as a somewhat narrow trail, soon widening to a full lane width, perhaps for old mining wagons. This entire area is laced with old gold mines.

A couple of horse riders passed us near the beginning of our hike.

2009-06-07T14:44:25Z

Frank Farmer
A couple of horse riders passed us near the beginning of our hike.

Rich and Jean. There was A LOT of poison oak, in among the blackberry bushes. Had to be extra careful.

2009-06-07T21:18:37Z

Frank Farmer
Rich and Jean. There was A LOT of poison oak, in among the blackberry bushes. Had to be extra careful.

First junction sign. We're already 1/3 of the way to the river! This won't be a very long hike today.

2009-06-07T14:47:12Z

Frank Farmer
First junction sign. We're already 1/3 of the way to the river! This won't be a very long hike today.

Gathering around, having fun. Some of the other trail destinations have cool names ... Ruck-a-Chucky? Dead Truck?

2009-06-07T14:10:53Z

Frank Farmer
Gathering around, having fun. Some of the other trail destinations have cool names ... Ruck-a-Chucky? Dead Truck?

Moving along.

2009-06-07T14:08:32Z

Frank Farmer
Moving along.

Lots of different organizations have trails around here.

2009-06-07T14:46:22Z

Frank Farmer
Lots of different organizations have trails around here.

We started at the Third Gate and will meet up with the Western States Trail. The latter trail is the route for the Western States 100, a grueling trans-sierra endurance run.

2009-06-07T14:28:18Z

Frank Farmer
We started at the Third Gate and will meet up with the Western States Trail. The latter trail is the route for the Western States 100, a grueling trans-sierra endurance run.

Rich takes a picture of me taking his picture

2009-06-07T21:09:47Z

Frank Farmer
Rich takes a picture of me taking his picture

Crossing American Canyon Creek

2009-06-07T14:23:46Z

Frank Farmer
Crossing American Canyon Creek

Patrick

2009-06-07T14:17:37Z

Frank Farmer
Patrick

Jean, Brian, Susan, Allison, Karen

2009-06-07T14:40:58Z

Frank Farmer
Jean, Brian, Susan, Allison, Karen

Sometimes park signs take a real beating.

2009-06-07T14:52:06Z

Frank Farmer
Sometimes park signs take a real beating.

American Canyon Creek. XX marks the spot.

2009-06-07T14:34:19Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon Creek. XX marks the spot.

Brian

2009-06-07T14:13:27Z

Frank Farmer
Brian

A side trail along the way.

2009-06-07T14:37:02Z

Frank Farmer
A side trail along the way.

A ridge to the north, on the other side of American Canyon Creek. Our trailhead is back up that way.

2009-06-07T14:57:48Z

Frank Farmer
A ridge to the north, on the other side of American Canyon Creek. Our trailhead is back up that way.

Getting closer to the river.

2009-06-07T15:03:21Z

Frank Farmer
Getting closer to the river.

We're about to cross the creek again.

2009-06-07T14:10:08Z

Frank Farmer
We're about to cross the creek again.

Someone didn't like that sign.

2009-06-07T14:53:25Z

Frank Farmer
Someone didn't like that sign.

Patrick, Karen, Bree. Still getting to know this new digital camera. This image has funny exposure.

2009-06-07T14:35:08Z

Frank Farmer
Patrick, Karen, Bree. Still getting to know this new digital camera. This image has funny exposure.

Rich contemplates how he'll ford the creek.

2009-06-07T14:15:08Z

Frank Farmer
Rich contemplates how he'll ford the creek.

An attempt to do a flowing photo effect. I tried a bunch of different exposure times. Need to work on this technique some more.

2009-06-07T14:47:44Z

Frank Farmer
An attempt to do a flowing photo effect. I tried a bunch of different exposure times. Need to work on this technique some more.

Looking down on the creek. It has a pretty wide pool down there.

2009-06-07T14:46:13Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down on the creek. It has a pretty wide pool down there.

Blooming buckeye trees, nearby ridges.

2009-06-07T16:34:48Z

Frank Farmer
Blooming buckeye trees, nearby ridges.

Looking down on the Middle Fork of the American River. That's Poverty Bar on the opposite side. All the bars and mining camps have interesting names. We'll also be near Philadelphia Bar, on ...

2009-06-07T14:57:54Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down on the Middle Fork of the American River. That's Poverty Bar on the opposite side. All the bars and mining camps have interesting names. We'll also be near Philadelphia Bar, on ...

Patrick.

2009-06-07T14:42:25Z

Frank Farmer
Patrick.

Brian, Allison. They are looking for good skipping rocks. Our group had some good rock skippers, who could easily get 10+ skips.

2009-06-07T15:00:06Z

Frank Farmer
Brian, Allison. They are looking for good skipping rocks. Our group had some good rock skippers, who could easily get 10+ skips.

Blackberries trying to invade. Hey, at least it's not poison oak! Our little beach area was full of ticks, which hopped on as you brushed grasses or shrubs.

2009-06-07T14:15:46Z

Frank Farmer
Blackberries trying to invade. Hey, at least it's not poison oak! Our little beach area was full of ticks, which hopped on as you brushed grasses or shrubs.

Panorama along the Middle Fork of the American River. Philadephia Bar, to the left, has backed up a calm area off the main stem of the river. Some folks thought about going in, but found the ...

2009-02-21T02:05:48Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama along the Middle Fork of the American River. Philadephia Bar, to the left, has backed up a calm area off the main stem of the river. Some folks thought about going in, but found the ...

Looking at Poverty Bar, across the Middle Fork of the American River

2009-06-07T21:29:03Z

Frank Farmer
Looking at Poverty Bar, across the Middle Fork of the American River

Rich. We had a nice lunch first, then took some pictures and skipped some rocks, before heading back. It was a great day. A cold front passing through brought a threat of rain, but also cool ...

2009-06-07T14:03:32Z

Frank Farmer
Rich. We had a nice lunch first, then took some pictures and skipped some rocks, before heading back. It was a great day. A cold front passing through brought a threat of rain, but also cool ...

The transition from the calm backwater, over to the swift main channel. Not sure if many people raft on this fork. Seems like it would be OK.

2009-06-07T14:38:56Z

Frank Farmer
The transition from the calm backwater, over to the swift main channel. Not sure if many people raft on this fork. Seems like it would be OK.

Blackberry bushes along the river bank

2009-06-07T14:05:03Z

Frank Farmer
Blackberry bushes along the river bank

Blackberry leaves, rocks, footprints, sand

2009-06-07T15:02:24Z

Frank Farmer
Blackberry leaves, rocks, footprints, sand

The mighty American River. That nearby peak might be Summit Hill (2168'). We're at about 640'.

2009-06-07T14:39:36Z

Frank Farmer
The mighty American River. That nearby peak might be Summit Hill (2168'). We're at about 640'.

Most of our group. From left: Allison, Brian, Patrick, Jean, Susan, Bree, Karen, Rich, Frank. Heide took the photo (Thanks! :)

2009-06-07T14:12:34Z

Frank Farmer
Most of our group. From left: Allison, Brian, Patrick, Jean, Susan, Bree, Karen, Rich, Frank. Heide took the photo (Thanks! :)

Patrick, Bree, Rich.

2009-06-07T14:37:07Z

Frank Farmer
Patrick, Bree, Rich.

Not from our group, but touching nonetheless.

2009-06-07T14:55:22Z

Frank Farmer
Not from our group, but touching nonetheless.

Sign marker for the Western States Trail

2009-06-07T21:21:41Z

Frank Farmer
Sign marker for the Western States Trail

Allison and Susan head back up from the river.

2009-06-07T17:38:08Z

Frank Farmer
Allison and Susan head back up from the river.

Leaving the river.

2009-06-07T15:51:49Z

Frank Farmer
Leaving the river.

Looking up at the junction of the river spur trail with the American Canyon Creek Trail.

2009-06-07T14:28:53Z

Frank Farmer
Looking up at the junction of the river spur trail with the American Canyon Creek Trail.

Looking down at the river spur trail (right) and the continuation of the American Canyon Creek trail. The latter probably goes down to the river a bit further along. Both trails have a lot o ...

2009-06-07T14:19:38Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down at the river spur trail (right) and the continuation of the American Canyon Creek trail. The latter probably goes down to the river a bit further along. Both trails have a lot o ...

Looking down at American Canyon Creek.

2009-06-07T17:16:13Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down at American Canyon Creek.

Patrick and Bree

2009-06-07T21:04:52Z

Frank Farmer
Patrick and Bree

American Canyon Creek

2009-06-07T14:46:21Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon Creek

American Canyon Creek

2009-06-07T21:07:46Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon Creek

American Canyon Creek

2009-06-07T14:11:16Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon Creek

American Canyon Creek

2009-06-07T14:37:21Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon Creek

Rich fording the creek

2009-06-07T14:57:58Z

Frank Farmer
Rich fording the creek

Jean pausing before leaving the creek crossing area

2009-06-07T14:32:37Z

Frank Farmer
Jean pausing before leaving the creek crossing area

A meadow near the creek

2009-06-07T15:52:39Z

Frank Farmer
A meadow near the creek

Rich hiking up the trail

2009-06-07T17:12:13Z

Frank Farmer
Rich hiking up the trail

Grassland, woodland

2009-06-07T20:46:13Z

Frank Farmer
Grassland, woodland

Small poppies

2009-06-07T14:42:20Z

Frank Farmer
Small poppies

Zoomed in on the poppies

2009-06-07T15:09:29Z

Frank Farmer
Zoomed in on the poppies

Hiking back up

2009-06-07T16:38:37Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking back up

Nearby ridges. It was clouding up pretty steadily, but we knew it was unlikely to rain.

2009-06-07T21:37:59Z

Frank Farmer
Nearby ridges. It was clouding up pretty steadily, but we knew it was unlikely to rain.

Rocky outcrop in American Canyon.

2009-06-07T15:15:47Z

Frank Farmer
Rocky outcrop in American Canyon.

American Canyon

2009-06-07T14:38:32Z

Frank Farmer
American Canyon

Blue flowers, poison oak

2009-06-07T17:20:39Z

Frank Farmer
Blue flowers, poison oak

A local inhabitant

2009-02-21T02:06:56Z

Frank Farmer
A local inhabitant

Our destination

2009-06-07T15:23:24Z

Frank Farmer
Our destination

Back at the cars. Rich brought some cherries from the Farmer's Market, which he shared.

2009-06-07T14:44:23Z

Frank Farmer
Back at the cars. Rich brought some cherries from the Farmer's Market, which he shared.

We're discussing where to go next. It's still early. We decided to check out a nearby flea market, which turned out to be closed, so we went into the town of Cool for drinks and snacks.

2009-06-07T14:49:08Z

Frank Farmer
We're discussing where to go next. It's still early. We decided to check out a nearby flea market, which turned out to be closed, so we went into the town of Cool for drinks and snacks.

Our trail sign.

2009-06-07T17:02:43Z

Frank Farmer
Our trail sign.

Ya don't need to worry about mountain bikes on this trail, just mountain lions

2009-06-07T16:57:23Z

Frank Farmer
Ya don't need to worry about mountain bikes on this trail, just mountain lions

Local resident

2009-06-07T16:41:28Z

Frank Farmer
Local resident

Wrapping up after another great hike. It was short, but just what we all needed. Enjoyed making some new friends, hiking again with old ones. See ya next time!

2009-06-07T14:26:55Z

Frank Farmer
Wrapping up after another great hike. It was short, but just what we all needed. Enjoyed making some new friends, hiking again with old ones. See ya next time!