In my continued efforts to avoid cold weather and snow at all costs, but hoping to get back into the mountains sooner or later, I was looking for a good low elevation hike in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. One such trail that checked all the boxes for me is the Stevens Trail.
This is actually a hike I had been looking forward to for quite a while, so I was excited to finally be in the area to do it! Located in the low elevation foothills of the Sierra Nevada, this trail does not accumulate much snow, and when I hiked it in May, was already very hot! With wide open views, exposed trail, and a stunning river to soak your feet in, this is a fantastic hike!
Miles/Elevation:
7.7 miles
1,600 feet vertical gain
About Tahoe National Forest:
The setting for this hike is Tahoe National Forest. One of the many national forests in the Sierra Nevada, Tahoe National Forest receives far fewer visitors than the much more famous national parks, and even though it shares its name with the stunning Lake Tahoe, much of the forest, including this hike, is miles and miles from its namesake lake.
At almost 900,000 acres, Tahoe National Forest contains miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, off roading roads, beautiful highways, and high mountain peaks. If you’re looking for a quiet and secluded backpacking trip, you can find it here. If you’re looking for an off road Jeep adventure you can find that here too!
The parking area for the Stevens Trail does not have parking fees.
Getting There:
The trailhead is just outside the small town of Colfax along I-80. After exiting I-80 in Colfax, you will take a short drive along Canyon Way, and the parking area will be on your left. It’s pretty hard to miss, and the road pretty much ends just beyond the parking lot! The lot isn’t very big, but there are places on the road to park as well.
The easiest way to get to the trailhead is to simply put “Stevens Trail Parking” into Google Maps. From the Bay Area, it is about a two to two and a half hour drive. From Sacramento it is about a 45 minute drive.
Stevens Trail:
Through the Woods:
From the parking lot, the trail immediately heads into the woods and begins descending. This section of forest is surprisingly dense and very green. There’s tall grass, leafy trees, and a surprising amount of bugs!
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
The trail continues downhill on a very nice and pretty gradual section of trail. It really is not overly steep, and makes for nice hiking because you can tell that you’re making progress, but it shouldn’t be straining on the knees, and isn’t too tough to hike back up.
You’re in bear country, so be sure to always be bear safe!
After about ¾’s of a mile, you’ll come to the bottom of the initial descent. There’s a really strange looking teepee made of logs, which I have no knowledge of, so don’t ask me! The hike takes an upward turn here and climbs a pretty steep trail for a quarter of a mile. This is one of the steepest climbs of the hike, but it’s short and not too awful!
After cresting that short climb, you’ll have a steep descent to deal with. The rest of the hike to the end destination is downhill, but this half mile stretch is the steepest part of the hike. Move slowly, and don’t over exert your knees, and you’ll make it just fine! Near the end of the forested section, the trail narrowly threads through a rocky stretch, and if you’re deathly afraid of heights, you might pause for a second here. It really isn’t bad, but looking down might be a little stressful!
Down the Canyon:
Continuing on, you will emerge into the canyon of the North Fork of the American River. You will immediately be treated to some really awesome views of the entire canyon. Steep, green walls with a roaring mountain river below, and you near the top!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
Take a minute to enjoy the view, and then continue on! The hike from here to the bottom is pretty awesome. You will be on an exposed hillside for essentially the entire time, and you’ll have constant panoramic views. I love when a trail itself is interesting, and this one certainly is as you traverse this steep canyon wall!
Your final destination is kind of in sight the entire time, the river itself. When you first see the river, it will look a long way beneath you, and to be fair it is. But, that river will give you a constant measure of your progress and your amount to go for the rest of the hike.
Take time to enjoy the views as you head upstream along the river, and be sure not to overexert yourself if it’s hot. Remember, every step down is a step you’ll have to take back up, and it’ll probably be hotter on your way back up! Be sure you have enough water!
After about two miles of hiking along the canyon walls, you’ll make it down to the water’s edge. There is a single campsite here that would make for an awesome night out camping, but for the day hikers, there is an awesome river to hang out by!
The river is fast, cold, and incredibly refreshing! While I didn’t swim in it when I did this hike in May, even I could see myself jumping in the frigid water on a summer day! Take some time to enjoy the view, and definitely put your feet in even if you don’t plan on swimming. You have a lengthy hike back up and out, so make sure you’re ready for the climb!
Hiking Out:
From your rest spot at the river, you have about two miles back to the forested part of the trail. Until then, you have a hot two miles of climbing to do. I want to reiterate, this hike is hot, and can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. The trail is right in the crosshairs of the afternoon sun, and without shade, you could be looking at 100 degree temperatures plus direct sun plus a climb.
Fortunately, the hike isn’t overly steep and you should be able to make it out of the canyon as long as you are in halfway decent shape, and can handle the heat. The real challenge for me actually wasn’t the hot exposed section of trail, it was the steep half mile climb that comes after.
If you remember back to the early half of your hike, you’ll remember that before you emerge into the canyon, there was a steep half mile descent. That half mile descent is now a climb, and honestly I didn’t realize how steep it was on my way down. Take it slow, and you’ll be alright.
After a short quarter mile descent, you’ll have one last ¾ of a mile climb back to the parking lot. This final climb isn’t very steep, and was a nice way to finish the hike. It’s steep enough to really get a sweat on if you want, but not so steep that it’s hard to keep going! Before you know it, you’ll be back at your car and hopefully a cold bottle of water!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10
This is a fantastic hike that could be done all year round. While snow is a possibility in winter, and extreme heat is possible in summer, you could do this hike any time. This is one of the best under the radar hikes I have done in California, and while it lacks the huge mountains of the High Sierra, the views are outstanding, and the trail itself is awesome! This is definitely a hike you should do!
Pros:
- Great views
- Awesome trail
- River access
- Easily accessible
Cons:
- Lots of exposure
- Climbing is at the end of the hike
Alternative Hikes:
Fordyce Falls via the Spaulding Lake Trail
Stevens Trail East – California
Ruck-A-Chucky Rapids Trail – California
When to Visit Tahoe National Forest:
While Tahoe National Forest as a whole is a four season destination with all sorts of things to do throughout the year, the Stevens Trail is best done in spring or fall. The area could get some snow in the winter, but it likely wouldn’t be too much or stick for long, so you could do this hike in winter if you are in the area.
You certainly could do this hike in summer, and it would certainly be sunny out, albeit very hot. Since the trail is so exposed for most of its length, there are numerous signs warning of heat danger and reminding hikers about drinking water. If you do this hike in summer, be careful, bring water, and try not to do it in the middle of the day.
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