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

#hiking #trekking #california #cardiachill #auburn #cardiactrail #byepasstrail #summerhike #dehydration #theamericanriver #sierranevadamountains #sacramentoriver #navyveteran #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

High Altitude Hiking in Ladakh - Risky?

'Acclimatise for a minimum of two days!' 

'No local sight seeing for first 36 hours'

'Inner line permit will be given only two days after arrival in Leh'

'Leh has 25% less oxygen in the air. So acclimatise well!'

With these cautionary messages, would you venture out for a trek or hike at 13000 feet above the mean sea level? More so if you are a senior citizen past 73 years of age? Most tourists will say no! But Ghumakkad being in the company of his equally adventurous grandson Ansh, decided otherwise! Our picture story follows.

We undertook a high altitude hike in Ladakh while returning from Siachen Glacier and the Base Camp. On the return leg, after you cross Pamanik village and the hot springs, there is a worn out signboard of Yarab Tso meaning Yarab Lake. We had noticed the sign board on the way up the Glacier. The call of a high altitude hike, though fraught with risk, was too tempting not to be taken. Both of us decided to explore!

The weathered signboard of Yarab Tso on Siachen Road.

Where is Yarab Tso

Located in the midst of vast Nubra valley and its expansive riverbed, it is a lake ensconced and hidden on top of three hills. Two of the three hills can be seen from the river bed while the third hill lies behind. See the terrain map below. The lake can neither be seen from the Siachen road nor the vast valley. Yarab Tso is not on the normal tourist circuit. Domestic tourists seldom go there (thank God for it! Otherwise the place would be as crowded as Khardung La or Hundar sand dunes!). Tashi, our driver informed us that a few foreign tourists do hike to the lake once in a while.

Significance

Yarab Tso lake is considered sacred and spiritual by the local folks. Bathing, washing or swimming is not permitted. The lake freezes in winter. Being June, the snows had melted all around. 

Our Picture Story follows.

The two explorers in Nubra valley, Ladakh

The hike begins with Ansh in the lead.

The riverbed was not completely dry. My experience told me it could be like quicksand. So I told Ansh to stop and follow me.

Once we crossed the wet part of the riverbed, Ansh was given a green signal to lead again!

In mountain hiking, you need to pause and admire the view as you gain height. Though Nubra valley is barren, yet it has its beauty.

Folks in the hills pile up stones around the roads, paths and trails. These are prayer stones which remain steady till a severe storm topples them.

The rarefied atmosphere of Ladakh was showing its effect on us. Huffing and puffing, we could take few steps before stopping. After catching our breath, we could continue again. It was slow climbing particularly for me at 73 years. Ansh still had spring in his legs at 21!

See the video below of our slow and steady climb.

While we kept going, bend after bend, the lake was nowhere in sight!

At last, the lake appeared from hiding!

A perimeter walkway with tiles is being built around the lake for people to do a 'parikrama' probably!

It was difficlt to find a level spot for the DSLR tripod to take a timer shot. We did find a spot but the camera viewfinder had to rest against a boulder. So, the timer shot had to be like a blind shot! Luckily, the result was not bad!

Thankfully the lake and its approach were devoid of other tourists or hikers. We could not spot any human beings as far as the eyes could see!

It was time to start the descent. Ansh had all the energy. Although I led in the beginning to maintain a steady downward climb, Ansh overtook after a while! I would have done the same at that age!

Other Stories on Ladakh

Given below are the links to our previous stories on Ladakh. Click to browse the pictures and videos.

Blue Skies Lift Your Spirit - Aerial shots as we approach Leh. The blue skies are so uplifting!

Siachen The Highest Battlefield In The World - See the pictures and videos of our drive through the Nubra Valley to Siachen Glacier and the War Memorial. Very humbling experience.

Hope you liked our adventurous hike in a high altitude riverbed in Ladakh. Looking back, it was a risky adventure. Risky because of rarefied atmosphere and fear of catching the pulmonary oedema. But what is life without a bit of risk and adventure? God was with us.

Do leave a comment, even if a few words. It encourages us.

More stories of our adventures in Ladakh are coming up. Stay connected. Thanks for browsing.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ansh Bhargava/ Nubra Valley and Secunderabad/ 12th July 2025

#Leh #Ladakh #NubraValley #Siachen #YarabTso #YarabLake #HighAltitude #Hiking #Riverbed #Pamanik #HiddenLake #Trekking #NavyVeteran #Adventure #RiskInLife #Ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #GrandpaGrandson #acclimatisation