American River Trail,
Tahoe National Forest
Elevation
The American River Trail has a maximum elevation of 3,360 ft., a minimum elevation of 2,733 ft. and an elevation range of 627 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 7.3 mi | 2,733 ft | 3,360 ft | 627 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 3.0 hrs | 46.4 | 557 ft | 0 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 3.0 hrs | 0.0 | 0 ft | 557 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF American River Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Blue Canyon, CA
- North Topo Map: Cisco Grove, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: Soda Springs, CA
- West Topo Map: Westville, CA
- Topo Map: Duncan Peak, CA
- East Topo Map: Royal Gorge, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Michigan Bluff, CA
- South Topo Map: Greek Store, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: Bunker Hill, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the American River Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the American River Trail?
The length of the trail is 7.3 miles (11.7 km) or 15,796 steps.
How long does it take to hike the American River Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 3.0 hours in one direction and in 3.0 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) may be present in this area. The American dog tick transmits Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.