Western States

Looking for someplace warm to hike, four of us decided to hike in the American River Canyon.  Parking at "Horseshoe Tree",  we hiked the Western States Trail, arriving at the Auburn end at 11 AM. Not ready for lunch we decided to go back and explore some of the trails that head to the river. We found some single tracks that led to a couple of river bars. We headed up river to 

Tamaroo bar and found some shade for lunch while enjoying the view of the river beyond some brush. After lunch we continued up the river on a single track trail that was steep at times. At a ford (for vehicles?)on the GPS map we headed up the steep trail as it continued with other steep trails,  Eventually we hit the western States Trail, turned left for a short distance, and then right toward the car park. We had taken a very satisfying hike of 7.5 miles with a 1300 foot elevation gain. 

Lunch

They thought these barrels were going to be floating on the reservoir created by the Auburn Dam

Tamaroo  Bar. Gravel was an island. Water got deep. 

The alternate trail that John took was steep and treacherous. 

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