Day Hiker: Stagecoach Trail

The Stagecoach Trail in the Auburn State Recreation Area is really three trails in one. Park in the Confluence area near the State Park kiosk—note that there's a $10 day-use fee. Behind the kiosk, a trail leads under the Foresthill Bridge, heading upriver to the left. Don't confuse this with the popular Clementine Trail, which lies on the opposite side of the North Fork of the American River. The moderate uphill climb offers a couple of left-turn options. If you take the first sharp left onto Lower Stagecoach at the sign, you'll be rewarded with views of the Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge and the American River flowing beneath. You can continue to a bench overlooking the Confluence area or hike onward to Russell Road. The out-and-back hike is approximately two miles. Upper Stagecoach offers lovely canyon views and tends to be less trafficked than Lower Stagecoach. Keep an eye out for the heart tree stump—a tree covered with heart-shaped rocks tucked into its bark. State Parks cut it down before it could fall and potentially take part of the trail with it. Both trails are home to a variety of wildflowers in spring. Park rangers have cautioned me not to linger under the bridge, as objects dropped from above can pose a danger to hikers and mountain bikers. The trail drops down to the base of the bridge's foundation before continuing along the canyon wall. It's not a long trail—maybe two miles round trip—but at the end, you'll find a wonderful picnic spot: an open area overlooking the river, with a seasonal waterfall running along the edge of the grassy clearing. A combination of trails in this area makes for a satisfying workout and stunning views of the river and canyon. You can even hike up to the top of the Foresthill Bridge and walk across to connect with additional trails. Mary West is the author of the Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guidebook series, a curated collection of her popular newspaper columns. In each installment, West shares her enduring love for the outdoors and highlights favorite hikes throughout Northern California's Gold Country and beyond. Her work has earned recognition, including the 2025 Bear Yuba Land Trust John Skinner Sierra Outdoors Recreation Award and the CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Newspaper Column in 2017 and 2019 from the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Her books are available on Amazon, and you can follow her adventures on Facebook and Instagram.