Shirttail Canyon

Total Miles
24.7

Elevation

911.39 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer

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Shirttail Canyon
5

Trail Overview

The main attraction of this route is a popular swimming hole below Colfax-Foresthill Suspension Bridge. Our round-about way of getting there follows a paved road through historic Iowa Hill, then continues on a narrow, winding dirt road through the forest. Take a picnic lunch and inner tube to enjoy the crystal-clear water of the American River inside Auburn State Recreation Area (fee area). Street-legal vehicles only. To go direct to swimming hole, use reverse directions.

Photos of Shirttail Canyon

Shirttail Canyon
Shirttail Canyon

Difficulty

Easy: First half is a twisting paved road, narrow in spots. Watch for bikers. Second half is an easy dirt road. Four-wheel drive recommended.

History

Gold was first discovered in Iowa Hill in 1853 and mining continued off and on into the 1930s. A few mines have been intermittently worked in recent years. Most mining has been hydraulic, scars of which you'll see along the route. One spot along Iowa Hill Road has sheer cliffs on each side of the road due to hydraulic undercutting.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Steve W
Dec 01, 2024
1994 Jeep Wrangler
Open
Normal
The road was open with no other traffic. Yankee Jim Road is a bit bumpy, but nothing just airing down didn't help. The water falls were flowing, and the fall color definitely made it a colorful view. No 4WD ever needed, nor would it be needed. A great drive in the canyons!
Brian Decamp
Dec 01, 2024
2019 Ford F-Series
Open
Normal
This is a beautiful drive. Very steep and single lane twisties with sheer drop off in some spots, but I was in 2WD the whole time and had plenty of grip.
Bob Blaylock
Nov 27, 2024
2020 Jeep Cherokee
Open
Normal
Ian Moffitt
Nov 17, 2024
2006 Subaru Impreza
Open
Normal
Muddy/Wet
Rough/Deteriorated

Access Description

Take I-80 to town of Colfax. Take exit for Highway 174. Westbound exiters must cross over freeway. Follow Canyon Way south along east side of freeway 0.3 miles to paved Iowa Hill Road on left.

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