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Notes From The Trail - July 3, 2008 |
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Written by Don Chaddock
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A steep bike trail is no place for a hiker
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Trash, illegally dumped, can be seen along a bike trail located just off Maidu Drive in Auburn.
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It’s surprising how quickly one can become addicted to hiking the trails. With last week’s fires blanketing the foothills in thick smoke, Placer County issued a warning to its residents advising them to stay indoors and run the air conditioning. Even the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run was called off last Saturday due to the poor air quality and threat of fires overtaking the trail area.
Prior to the health advisory warnings, I managed to get a few hikes in and this week we’ll look at a short bike trail off of Maidu Drive located just before the turnoff for the Canyon View Community Center. As you’re driving, if you look to the right of Maidu as you approach the dead end, you’ll see a metal handrail and stairs. That’s the entrance to one of the Endurance Capital of the World bike routes, according to the signs located on either side of the roadway.
It was late in the day (about 6 p.m.) and still very hot. I didn’t want
to hike too far but I wanted to explore some new territory, so, in my
mind and with no real research to back up my assumption, this seemed
like the perfect spot. I had seen this entrance from the road
previously and was always curious about what was beyond the stairs. I
didn’t notice the path on the new Protect American River Canyons trail
map, so it would be an “adventure.” With my pack loaded with water
(about three liters) and my iPod belting out tunes by “The Eagles,” I
set off.
The trail descends the steps and proceeds down a short, rock-strewn path. To the left, toward the river, a side trail drops into a gully or you can follow what I believed to be the main trail into some trees. Choosing the latter, I found myself trying to shove fallen branches out of the way while knee-high weeds dug foxtails into my socks. The path was overgrown and not well maintained. Turning around, and determined to get in some sort of a hike, I chose the more treacherous option. It’s steep and rocky for a few feet and then it opens into a flat gully area.
Surrounded on either side by rock walls, it can make one feel almost claustrophobic. Old couches, television sets, computer monitors, a dishwasher and furniture are everywhere, obviously tossed over the side of Maidu Drive by uncaring local residents. A set of bleached bones, probably from a deer, stuck out from the weeds near the trail. Scat, most likely bobcat territory markings, is everywhere.
Ever have one of those uneasy feelings that tingle up the back of your spine? Ever push that feeling aside and trudge on? If you answered “no” to the second question, give yourself five points. If, like me, you reassuringly pat your pocketknife and move forward, give yourself a good knock upside the noggin.
The path abruptly stops at a small cliff that drops about 12 to 15 feet and then rejoins a gravel roadway below. I hadn’t gone very far in my hiking effort and a little cliff, obviously ridden by mountain bike enthusiasts, was certainly not going to stop me in my tracks.
Firmly planting my size 12 clodhoppers, I tried to make my way down some rocks on the left side, but gave up on that idea the first time I nearly lost my balance. To my right was a path (sort of) that required me to sit on my tookus and swing my legs down to another boulder. From there, I was able to make my way to the road with relative ease.
As I stood there, patting myself on the back while overlooking the Placer County Water Agency’s new American River Pump Station, the realization hit me that I was alone, climbing down some cliff like a Billy goat, with the sunlight getting dim. Sometimes, my nagging common sense can get through the stubborn static that rattles around in my skull. I was defeated. Hiking just wasn’t in the cards for me that day.
Getting up the cliff was much more difficult than coming down, but I made it with no sprains, bumps or bruises. I walked back through the gully and climbed up the short rocky trail that mountain bikers obviously love. Overall, the trail is steep, rocky and not a good candidate for hikers. That’s probably why it’s labeled a bike trail! Back at the car, I found the area on my trail map and penciled it in. According to the map, it looks like the trail, after climbing down the cliff, hooks up with the roadway (which I did reach) that takes folks to the recently opened Birdsall Takeout. Total hike was only a half-mile, but I swear it was straight up and straight down. Hikers should avoid this trail and leave it for the mountain bike set, as it was intended. You can, however, hike the roadway, which can be accessed from Pacific Avenue, and is much safer. When you reach the curve in the road along the hillside that’s been carved out for the seating of the Auburn dam, look up to your right. See that wooden pole with the power line hanging down that wee little cliff? That’s what I climbed down. It goes to show that you need to study your maps before you hit the trail, especially if you plan to hike into an area with which you are unfamiliar.
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel and he may be reached via e-mail at
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