2. Day Trips
  3. 2006

American Canyon Dayhike 2006

Dayhike with Rich and the County Hikers. Initially he planned a trip to Alamere Falls on Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore, but the onset of cool, rainy weather led to a shorter trip, closer to home. We hiked down American Canyon Creek to Poverty Bar, on the Middle Fork of the American River. It was a short but fun hike, as the weather cooperated nicely. The power and strength of the river was impressive; definitely not something to trifle with!
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  • 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 to Poverty Bar on the Middle Fork of the American River. Along the way is American Canyon Creek Falls, which is a bit hard to reach, near the trail just before reaching the bottom of the canyon.

    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 to Poverty Bar on the Middle Fork of the American River. Along the way is American Canyon Creek Falls, which is a bit hard to reach, near the trail just before reaching the bottom of the canyon.

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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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?

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

  • Moving along.

    Moving along.

  • Lots of different organizations have trails around here.

    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.

    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

    Rich takes a picture of me taking his picture

  • Crossing American Canyon Creek

    Crossing American Canyon Creek

  • Patrick

    Patrick

  • Jean, Brian, Susan, Allison, Karen

    Jean, Brian, Susan, Allison, Karen

  • Sometimes park signs take a real beating.

    Sometimes park signs take a real beating.

  • American Canyon Creek. XX marks the spot.

    American Canyon Creek. XX marks the spot.

  • Brian

    Brian

  • A side trail along the way.

    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.

    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.

    Getting closer to the river.

  • We're about to cross the creek again.

    We're about to cross the creek again.

  • Someone didn't like that sign.

    Someone didn't like that sign.

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

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

  • Rich contemplates how he'll ford the creek.

    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.

    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.

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

  • Blooming buckeye trees, nearby ridges.

    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 our bank. The mining camps took on names of the nationality of the miners in them ... Spanish, French, American, etc.

    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 our bank. The mining camps took on names of the nationality of the miners in them ... Spanish, French, American, etc.

  • Patrick.

    Patrick.

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

    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.

    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 water to be ice cold. Poverty Bar is to the right, just out of view. The main channel is very swift and turbulent. You do not want to mess with this river. It will win every time.

    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 water to be ice cold. Poverty Bar is to the right, just out of view. The main channel is very swift and turbulent. You do not want to mess with this river. It will win every time.

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

    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 cooled the temps down very nicely.

    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 cooled the temps down very nicely.

  • 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.

    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

    Blackberry bushes along the river bank

  • Blackberry leaves, rocks, footprints, sand

    Blackberry leaves, rocks, footprints, sand

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

    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! :)

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

  • Patrick, Bree, Rich.

    Patrick, Bree, Rich.

  • Not from our group, but touching nonetheless.

    Not from our group, but touching nonetheless.

  • Sign marker for the Western States Trail

    Sign marker for the Western States Trail

  • Allison and Susan head back up from the river.

    Allison and Susan head back up from the river.

  • Leaving the river.

    Leaving the river.

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

    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 of poison oak encroaching from both sides.

    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 of poison oak encroaching from both sides.

  • Looking down at American Canyon Creek.

    Looking down at American Canyon Creek.

  • Patrick and Bree

    Patrick and Bree

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    Rich takes a picture of me taking his picture
    Crossing American Canyon Creek
    Patrick