Hiking in USA - The American River

American dollar. American football. American economy. American presidency, we have all heard.

Have you heard about 'The American River'?

Even I hadn't until I hiked up to the river named 'The American River' recently! It is a 50-km long river emanating from the Sierra Nevada mountains and merging with the Sacramento river. Historically the river is known for the gold deposits. It now offers white water rafting, kayaking and hiking and camping along its banks.

Thanks to Hemant and Deepali who live in Davis California, we hiked together yesterday. It wasn't a huge hike by distance or altitude. But it was tougher than that because of searing heat in which we did it. It was high noon with temperatures nearing forty degrees Celsius. We were almost dehydrated on the return leg. I had to take frequent breaks to catch my breath. But the view along the river bed and cool flowing water of the river more than made up for the sweat! Interestingly, the starting hill is called the Cardiac Hill. The trail is named Cardiac Trail. And those who can not tackle steep slopes, there is an alternate trail aptly called the Bye-pass Trail.

After you park your car at China Bar Area Auburn, you go along a shallow canal with flowing water. A narrow path along the canal with several pointed stones slopes down gradually. But you can't lift your eye for fear of tripping on one of the several stones. We couldn't start early that day. We met several hikers returning from the hike. One of them narrated sighting two rattle snakes on the way. It rattled Deepali till she completed the hike three hours later! It was already past 9AM and the Sun was showing its might. Those who can not hike, are recommended to take a car pass and drive down along a tarred road to the bottom of the hill.

See the flowing water of the canal in the video below.

After 20 minutes or so along the canal, we turned left down the slope of the Cardiac Hill. The trail was pretty steep going down. I anticipated the challenge on the return leg. We kept going util we reached the road head for those who came by a vehicle. The river in all its glory was captivating. Gurgling in some part while calm and steady in another. See the pictures and the video below.

You can get a feel of the river in the two short videos below:

Hemant and I wend down to the rocky river bed. Deepali shot some more pictures while we spent a while in the hot Sun.

After cooling ourselves a bit, we commenced the return hike up the steep slops of the Cardiac Hill. We were short of drinking water and the heat was building up. Therefore, after going up for 15 minutes or so, we decided to take the Bye-Pass Trail. It was  a bit circuitous but easier on the knees. I forgot to bring a hiking pole. With ageing knees, hiking poles are a big help for both- going downhill or climbing up. It was Hemant's encouragement and frequent halts that I could complete the uphill return leg. We had told Deepali to move ahead to escape the heat.

We ate black berries on the way up to replenish the energy. 

You can hear the heavy breathing of a Veteran going up the hill in the extreme heat.

After almost five hours in the blazing Sun, we returned to our car. Car AC seemed heavenly. Trekking in Himalayas in its cool climes was much easier than fighting the dehydration in the searing heat of Californian summer.  See Deepali's new car below.

The rarefied atmosphere of Ladakh offers another degree of challenge to the hikers. You may browse our story of a recent hike in Nubra Valley in Ladakh.

High Altitude Hiking in Ladakh - Is it Risky? - The story of hiking with grandson in a river bed at 13,000 feet above the mean sea  level.

Sharing below the story of another hike in California done 11 years ago. All the toddlers in the story are now teenagers who have kept up their love for hiking.

Toddler on a Trail - Picture story of hiking around the Pinecrest lake in California. The hike was led by a toddler. Incredible? Read on.

Here is a recent picture of Ghumakkad (in Navy Veterans cap) with some of the then-toddlers-now-teenagers!

The American River, south fork offers river rafting of Level 2/3. The day we were hiking in the north fork, few Pilani friends aged around 75, were doing river rafting in the south fork. Sharing their pictures courtesy Prem Jain my BITS batchmate. Never too old for an adventure, isn't it?

Thanks for browsing and stay connected.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Hemant and Deepali Bhargava/ Davis California/ 10th Aug 2025

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