Lake Clementine Loop Via Trail & Unmarked Riverbank Route

Nearby Destinations

Auburn State Recreation Area

Nearby Guides

Lake Clementine Loop Via Trail & Unmarked Riverbank Route

Viewed 8386 times

(4 votes)

Length: 5.0 miles / 8.0 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

Dog Friendly

Download to Phone

View Large Map

View Photos

Small waterfall feeds into the American River

North Fork Dam Rainbow below Lower Lake Clementine

Overview: Lake Clementine Loop Via Trail & Unmarked Riverbank Route is about 4.6 miles long and located near Auburn, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 1-3 hours.

This route take the easy trail from the Old Foresthill Bridge underneath the New Foresthill Bridge to the Lake Clementine dam. The return route is somewhat strenuous and requires boulder jumping along the riverbank and some steep mountainside scampering.

Tips: Take plenty of water.
This route is not for the faint of heart. To skip the boulder hopping, once you get to the dam, simply return the way you came instead of completing the loop.

Points of Interest

map

START - the trail begins at Gate 139

View of the Foresthill Bridge from near the trail head Photo

map

Go Left at this Fork

Go this direction when the trail forks Photo

map

Road narrows to trail under New Foresthill Bridge

The road turns into a narrower trail Photo

Foresthill Bridge. Auburn Lake was planned to reach the top of the concrete piling. Photo

map

Continue up the trail (the side trail leads down to Clark's Hole swimming hole)

Continue down the main trail. If you want to stop for a swim, the side trail here leads steeply down to a wonderful swimming hole know as Clark's Hole.

The American River just above Clark's Pool Photo

map

Above the American River

map

Lush Trail side Vegetation

The trail returns to the old road above the river Photo

map

Small Roadside Stream

map

Merge left onto Lake Clementine Road

River view from paved Lake Clementine Road

Follow paved Lake Clementine Road for a bit Photo

map

Trail leaves the road and goes through lush vegitation shortly before the dam

The trail between the paved road and dam Photo

Trail leaves Lake Clementine Road here Photo

map

Great Views of the Dam from this Grassy Vista Point

A very short spur trail of just a few yards leads to this fantastic vista point. The Clementine dam is straight ahead at eye level. Views down river are grand as well.

North Fork Dam Rainbow below Lower Lake Clementine Photo

map

Cross the bridge and continue down hill toward the river

View of dam as trail descends to river Photo

Trail bridge just past the vista point Photo

map

Dam in the Distance - View from Riverbank

map

Rock scrambling is required along the rocky riverside

Looking Back at Clementine Lake Dam Photo

map

The American River

map

Small Waterfall on Opposite Bank

After you spot this small waterfall, turn around and look for the trail heading up the side of the mountain on your side of the river (note: this waterfall may not be running year-round).

Small waterfall feeds into the American River Photo

map

Search for return trail

Find the small, steep trail that winds up the mountain through a thick forest of trees and brush.

This trail will eventually lead back to the road that you took on the way to the dam.

map

Turn Right (west) follow the main route back to trail head

After winding up the mountain the route eventually returns to the dirt road you took to the dam. Turn right and retrace your steps back to the trail head.

Suggestion: On hot days, you may want to stop for a dip at Clark's Hole.

Pictures in this guide taken by: Steve Schmorleitz, www.NationalParkLover.com, Steve Schmorleitz - www.NationalParkLover.com, bugbiteme, nationalparklover, honeybrook, cougr, bikecomedy, cmcelroy, Athonia, Mblasberg, naumchuk10

Steve Schmorleitz, www.NationalParkLover.com

How does this work?