RR: Norcal RR: Auburn State Park

[Pho'dUp]

So I'm in Northern Cali and I had a few hours. So I headed out to Auburn State Park. Auburn, CA is where the American River forks at the Confluence, encompasses Lake Clementine and has lots of bridges, old mines, and trails that follow the river.

I stopped at Auburn Bicycle Works for a map and some more pointers. Btw, the guys at Auburn Bicycle Works are nice guys. Good shop. I decided to do the route suggested by JRM and Wherewolf on MTBR and start at the confluence and do Clementine Lake Trail > Connector Trail > Forest Hill Loop > Connector > Culvert > Mammoth Bar trail. Should be about 20mi 4000ft climbing.

Here's a simple map of the area courtesy of Wherewolf.




Breakfast of champions. Egg, cheese, rice and bean burrito.




Gloomy skies.




But it was sunny at the Confluence in Auburn. A bit cold though.



Shot of ForestHill Bridge or as I called it that darn big green !#?#!. bridge. I'll explain soon. ForestHill Bridge is the highest bridge of its kind in CA. The 3rd highest in nation.



Lake Clementine Trailhead.

[Pho'dUp]

So idiot me took a wrong turn. Instead of a nice trail that followed the river leading to Lake Clementine. I went up some ridiculous switchbacked jeep trail that went straight up to the top of the ForestHill Bridge. By my GPS I gained 700+ft in about .8miles. It sucked balls.

ForestHill Bridge again.


Big pillar supports.


Top of the bridge.



Okay, I tried to find the Lake Clementine trail again but ditched it as I didn't want to have to climb back up again. So I did a map check and realized I could reconnect with Connector trail by going up the road a bit and taking Fuel Break Trail.


Headed away from bridge on road towards Fuel Break


Fuel Break Trail.


They've had a lot rain up here but the trails were perfectly tacky. Hardly any mud at all.

But crap more climbing...



I finally got up on the ridge. And got a good sight of the Sierra mountains off in the distance.



Snow on Sierras.



Okay, finally made to Connector Trail. A nice woodsy singletrack with some fun rollers and perfect groomed tacky dirt.



Handlebar shot.

[MotoDave]

Nice shots. I went to school at UC Davis, and Auburn was out weekend shuttle playground. I still get up there a few times a year with old friends.

[Pho'dUp]

Eventually the trail would open up and you could see the far side of the river bank. Weird huge rock formation on the other side.





Kona liked the dirt.




More pretty river/lake shots and that big rock.

[Pho'dUp]

Nice spot for lunch. That bench is on a flat rock outcropping from the hillside.




Norba rules still apply.



Eventually I got to the ~8mile Forrest Hill Loop. More buffed singletrack.



Horse traffic. They didn't want to let me pass. It's cool they finished soon.




Eventually while I was back on Connector headed back to the car I ran into a local guy. Chris. Nice guy, he offered to ride with me back on Culvert > Mammoth Bar.
I didn't get any photos (surprising since I took a bunch so far). But on Culvert and Mammoth bar they've built a lots of doubles and gaps on this trail if you like to get airborne.

View of the other fork of the American River on Mammoth Bar trail. Sweet. Trail is a downhill grade that winds right along the river.






Shot of Chris pointing out some abandon mines in the hills.




Some nice pools at the end of the ride.


Trail winds by the river.



GPS data. So I guess 3:56 isn't bad considering I took the wrong trail, got lost a few times, double back a few times.. Regardless, I got some miles in and rode some fun trails that were super pretty. I'd say it was 80+% singletrack all day. Nice weather. I'd say 60's at times as I went stripped down to just a short sleeve jersey.

[lukewiens]

yup...that is where it all began for me!! mountain biking that is. i do miss it and had a chance to ride it again last year thanksgiving. wasn't quite as cool as i had remembered it...but cool nonetheless. culvert down and the trail back to the cars is pretty rad huh? i do miss that section!

thanks for sharing...and i believe that area was one of my first blog posts ever.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by MotoDave

Nice shots. I went to school at UC Davis, and Auburn was out weekend shuttle playground. I still get up there a few times a year with old friends.

Cool. Any idea what the story behind that big rock is?

Oh, is there any riding in the hills above Vacaville? I've seen some photos in dirtrag.

[lukewiens]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Cool. Any idea what the story behind that big rock is?

Oh, is there any riding in the hills above Vacaville? I've seen some photos in dirtrag.

you might be able to find something here...Ogre's Guide!

it was a great resource when i lived up north!

[nekit]

Originally Posted by lukewiens

you might be able to find something here...Ogre's Guide!

it was a great resource when i lived up north!

and that's what linked from Orge's Guide:

Mountain Biking Northern California: a guide to low impact riding on singletrack trails.

Great RR btw

[KonaDawgDeluxe]

My aunt lived in Grass Valley and had a restaurant there and another in Nevada City. That area of California is gorgeous. I miss visiting that quiet and pristine region.

[duke777]

Sweet RR and beautiful pictures.....jealous!

[Bryguy17]

nice RR. I was up there in Cool (a few miles up the road) for a 24 hour race in april, and did a lap on the down low (wasn't actually racing ), and there was some fun stuff. I remember looking out the car and thinking there must be some sweet stuff up in those hills. almost hit a wild turkey too

is your bike covered in pervasive red dirt now too?

[CalEpic]

Nice C - I understand that there's quite a bit of "off the map" stuff hidden up there.

Looks like you had a good ride. New dirt is the best!