Explore Outdoors: Hike the Windy Trail in Placer County, a challenging but gorgeous journey
Windy Point Trail offers stunning views of the American River
Windy Point Trail offers stunning views of the American River
Windy Point Trail offers stunning views of the American River
The North Fork of the American River winds through a steep forest and cliff-lined canyon in Placer County.
Access to the remote area can be difficult, but where available, visitors are rewarded with grand views of the steep canyon scenery.
The Windy Point Trail is one of those areas where hikers can traverse the canyon wall, descending through trees, grass and wildflowers.
The trail starts a mile past the Mineral Bar Campground near a small parking area along Iowa Hill Road, south of Colfax, in a shaded oak woodland for about a quarter-mile before traversing onto the steep canyon wall above the American River.
At this point, you are awarded with your first view of the immense canyon and it only gets better from here.
The trail, first constructed by prospectors looking for riches during the California gold rush, makes you descend into the canyon over rock outcroppings.
Hikers should wear boots, if available, and bring walking poles to stabilize on the loose shale that is scattered about the trail.
While the middle of May proved to be too late for many of the wildflowers, there were still enough blooms to provide color among the dry landscape.
As you descend the trail, look over your shoulder at the Transcontinental Railroad.
From here, you get a rare glimpse at the Cape Horn pass. It's a short section of railroad that took hundreds of Chinese laborers a year to blast and dig into the cliff face.
The Windy Point Trail is 1.5 miles one way into the canyon.
Hikers beware, what goes down has to hike back up.
It's an arduous but enjoyable return hike out of the canyon with a whole new set of views looking up the river.
Keep your ears open and you may occasionally hear the whoops and hollers of rafters braving the rapids below.
For more information on the Windy Point Trail and access to the trailhead, follow this link the Auburn State Recreation Area Canyon Keepers page.
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