Hello friends! Today we hiked part of the Western States Trail and connected to the Stagecoach Trail Loop. It was a perfect day for hiking, the weather was a pleasant 75° with cool shaded spots along the trees and hillsides. We entered the trail from a small unofficial path that dropped us down onto the main trail, so the first section was downhill. I’d rate the hike as moderate, mainly because the Stagecoach section has a steady uphill climb. Overall, the trail is well maintained, wide, and easy to follow, with beautiful views of the mountains and the American River below.

We started our hike at the Auburn State Recreation Area at coordinates 38.90393, -121.05566, then headed east on the Western States Trail toward the No Hands Bridge. Just before the bridge, there’s a small trail that leads down to the water. Luckily, I had my fishing pole with me, so I tied on a Rooster Tail and fished for about 20–30 minutes. No luck this time, but it was still an awesome experience—my first time fishing the American River, and I’m glad I finally got the chance.

Auburn is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to hike. Below are some photos and a short video from our trip. Have you hiked this area before? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear about your experience!