FORESTHILL DIVIDE LOOP TRAILHEAD 1 (NEAR DRIVER’S FLAT)
Foresthill Divide Loop Trail is a sweet and quick 10 mile loop that gives one numerous views overlooking both the North Fork American River Canyon and the Middle Fork American River Canyon. The are a number of lush meadows that fill up with wildflowers in the springtime, particularly on the Middle Fork side.
The trail is well marked with signage to guide users through its many trail junctions. Beware of traffic from mountain bikers on the trail and vehicle traffic at it’s 4 road crossings.
Miles
Vert. Ft.
Avg. Elev.
Route Details
Trail Type: single Track. Some OHV and firebreak roads.
Trail Condition: very good and easy. Clearly marked and maintained.
Biggest Hill Climbs: at 1.5 mi, at 3.25 mi, at 5.25 mi, at 6.25 mi, and at 9.25 mi…neither over 300 vert ft
Water Sources: none
Trail Traffic: moderate. Mostly mountain bikers and motorcyclists on the weekends. Busiest between 10AM to 4pm, especially on weekends.
Trail Systems/Areas: Foresthill Divide Loop Trail System, Mammoth Bar OHV, Auburn SRA
Trail Awesomeness: canyon rim trail with lots of views of both the Middle and North Fork American River Canyons
Start Location: Foresthill Divide Loop Trailhead 1
Finish Location: Foresthill Divide Loop Trailhead 1
Fees/Permits: $10 fee required or use the CA Poppy Pass. This trail has multiple free and fee parking areas from numerous access points.
Potable Water: no
Bathrooms: yes, porta potties available at all Fee Parking areas.
Cell Reception: yes, minimal.
Historical Significance: view of Lake Clementine and of Lime Rock, aka: Robber’s Roost, which was a notorious lookout point for the Gasaway Gang during the Gold Rush days. The Gasaway Gang would use the lookout to signal when a stagecoach traveled from Foresthill, once a mining town, to Auburn. Also, near the Trailhead West, the rock foundations of an old tavern known as Grizzly Bear Hotel, was used during the Gold Rush days by miners.
Natural Significance: this loop gives a person the unique experience of running along the rim of the Middle Fork American River Canyon, crossing the divide and Foresthill Rd, where they can run along the rim of the North Fork American River Canyon. Lots of lush meadows during the winter that fill with wildflowers in the spring.
Attention!!: No water, little-to-no cell reception. Watch out for fast moving mountain bikers on both sides of the loop.
Route Guide
0.00 mi ⇒ Foresthill Divide Loop Trailhead 1 near Driver’s Flat (START) | Follow the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail (aka: FDLT) to the north. It will gradually turn South within the first 1/4mi. Enjoy the trail as it rolls through meadows and scenic forests with sparse views of the Upper Lake Clementine Beach and the mouth of the North Fork American River.
3.25 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Road Crossing: Upper Lake Clementine Rd. | Follow the FDLT straight across a dirt road known as the Upper Lake Clementine Road. CAUTION when crossing the Upper Lake Clementine Rd!! Traffic travels above 25mph and there are blind turns in both directions!
4.25 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & FDLT Connector Trail | Stay to the left at both trail junctions. Continue following the FDLT to the Foresthill Rd crossing, which is now 1/4mile away. One should be able to hear the cars passing by. Lots of beautiful meadows that fill with wildflowers in the springtime.
4.50 mi ⇒ Road Crossing: Foresthill Rd | Cross Foresthill Rd. CAUTION when crossing Foresthill Rd!! Traffic travels above 55mph and there are blind turns in both directions!
5.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & FDLT Connector Trail | Stay left to stay on the FDLT. Right follows back to the FDLT Trailhead Parking, Lower.
5.25 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & Firebreak Lookout Trail & Vistas | Stay left to stay on the FDLT. Take Right for a ¼ mi out and ¼ mi back to the Firebreak Lookout Point for the best views of the Middle Fork American River Canyon, and views Hoboken Canyon and Wildcats Canyon on the opposite side of the river—also where the Wendall T. Robie Trail and Western States Trail traverses.
5.75 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & FDLT & Scenic/Vista sections for next 2mi | Stay right to stay on the FDLT. Left follows back to Foresthill Rd and another FDLT Parking area. The entire climb is filled with green meadows, a small vista spot on top, and more green meadows that fill with wildflowers in the Spring all the way to the Bridge Crossing.
7.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junctions, two of them back-to-back | Take left at the first junction to stay on the FDLT. Follow dirt road 200ft. Take right at the second junction to stay on the FDLT.
7.75 mi ⇒ Bridge Crossing & trail split | Trail splits directly after bridge crossing but joins again after about 100 ft.
8.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction & FDLT & view of trailhead near Driver’s Flat | Take right at the first junction to stay on the FDLT. Follow old paved road 200ft. Take right at the second junction to stay on the FDLT.
8.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junctions, two of them back-to-back | Take right at the first junction to stay on the FDLT. Follow old paved road 200ft. Take right at the second junction to stay on the FDLT.
9.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junctions, two of them back-to-back & Road Crossing: Driver’s Flat Rd | Take right at the first junction to cut across Driver’s Flat Rd and the parking area. The FDLT begins again on the north end of the parking area behind a porta potty. CAUTION when crossing Driver’s Flat Rd!!
9.75 mi ⇒ Road Crossing: Foresthill Rd & FINISH | Cross Foresthill Rd to finish the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail in the parking the loop started from.
Resources
- Closest Town: Auburn, CA (5mi/9mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Gas: 5 Stations (5mi/3mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Restaurants: Several Venues (5mi/3mins) (Google Maps)
- Nearest Ranger Station: Auburn State Recreation Area Ranger Station (9mi/10mins) (Google Maps)
Post-Adventure EATS & BREWS
STOPSTU’s choices for EATS & BREWS near Mount Langley, CA.
“Moonraker and Knee Deep are conveniently next door to each other. Crooked Lane has got a great indoor/outdoor vibe. All three usually arrange for food trucks on the weekends.” -Stu
PIZZA:
“Pizzeria Luba is very good wood fired pizza. For the traditional, Old Town Pizza is another popular Auburn staple and it’s delicious.” -Stu
SANDWICH:
“Best sandwiches anywhere! And Patrick, the owner, is a genius when it comes to making soups and stews.” -Stu
BURGER:
“Everyone knows Ikedas, but over the years, there are plenty of better options for the price. The Station for example, makes a fantastic hamburger full of fresh and hearty flavors. Burgers & Cream makes the best burger for the price.” -Stu
BBQ:
“Just your traditional Smoked BBQ Pit, but unlike other BBQ joints that have come and gone, this one was the first, and it’s still here more than ten years later. What does that tell you?” -Stu
CHINESE:
“Liu Mandarin has fantastic food and a niche vibe and the owners, Jerry and Sung Lee, are two really nice people!” -Stu
MEXICAN:
“El Portal has been around for years. They make great Mexican food with large portions. The quality of the ingredients are far better than any other Mexican Place in town. Las Cabanas makes an excellent fish taco!” -Stu
BREAKFAST:
“Best omelets in Auburn, no contest, are at Edelweiss 2—not to be confused with the other Edelweiss at the other end of town. Jessica, Ashley, and Destiny are three of the nicest, coolest, best morning waitresses you will ever meet! I love this place. Oh, and Awful Annie’s is good but ALWAYS has awfully long wait times.” -Stu
COFFEE:
“Depoe Bay is a staple coffee shop in Auburn. The owners, Mike and Nicole are very friendly people, and so is their staff. But VERY busy, order in advance to avoid long waits.” -Stu
HEALTHY:
“Garden of Eat’n has fantastic wraps and salads and a really friendly staff. But very busy–order in advance if you’re hungry. And the extra drive is worth it!” -Stu
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
“Taco Tree and Sums are Auburn staples. Royal Indian and Garden Thai are fresh new flavors to the dining scene in Auburn and are always busy!” -Stu
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