Location: Auburn, CA
Distance: 3.5 miles (Distance varies based on starting point and trail options)
Type: Day-hike; Out-and-back
Rating: Easy
Permits & Fees: There is no parking fee at the Robie Point Staging Area. Directions can be found here. Please note that the parking area is located in a neighborhood.
Preparation: Water, sunscreen and warm clothing if hiking during the winter months are required. To beat the crowds, it’s best to complete this hike as early as possible.
The Hike:
There are several trail options when starting at the Robie Point Staging Area. For this hike, I decided to hike to the Auburn Equestrian Staging Area and back, totaling about 3.5 miles. Parking is located where this sign is found:
To the left of the parking area, the trail for this hike starts just behind this gate:
At the first fork of the trail, shortly after walking past this gate, take a right following a small post that reads “Auburn Staging Area”. Continue on the trail for several minutes, which follows the backside of the mountain. A second fork in the trail offers one of two options; to the right is the trail back to the parking area and to the left is the trail to the Auburn Staging Area. Take the trail to the left:
The rest of the hike is fairly straight forward with glimpses of views overlooking the Foresthill Bridge and the North Fork American River:
Once the Auburn Equestrian Staging Area is reached, proceed back along the same trail. Once the second fork (from the beginning of the hike) is reached, take the path back up to the Robie Point Staging Area.
Note that this is a popular area for equestrians, trail runners and families. Enjoy!