PROTECT AMERICAN RIVER CANYONS

Rock Spyders Return to Cave Valley  |  Recreation in the American River Canyons

Recreation in the American River Canyons

Rock Spyders Return to Cave Valley

After a nine-year ban on rock climbing in the Auburn SRA, in September 2012 Climbing Resource Advocates of Sacramento, CRAGS, put in the successful bid to reopen the Cave Valley Rock Climbing Area in the Limestone Quarry on the Middle Fork of the American River. The area is open for year round climbing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. CRAGS signed a basic services agreement with CA State Parks to provide monitoring, signage, trash removal, toilets and liability coverage. Access Fund, the national climbers support organization that advocates for all forms of climbing: rock, ice, mountaineering, and bouldering provided technical and fund raising support.

The area has spectacular vertical limestone rock faces left over from the continuous limestone mining operations that originally began in the late 1800's. Cave Valley is a rock spyders dream! There are a number of anchor-bolted routes waiting for itchy fingers and toes to challenge them. Spectators are welcomed to check out the rigorous physical challenges rock climbing provides. The area has something to offer for all skill levels. Brian Poulsen, CRAGS Board Member, and local spyder king Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh are working to establish permanent access to the area. Cave Valley is located just off the Quarry Trail approximately 1.5 miles from Highway 49 near the Confluence on the El Dorado County side. Once at the Hawver Cave entrance, follow the road up to the right. Parking is free along Highway 49, or $10 at the ASRA Highway 49 trailhead.

Cave Valley Climbing Area is immediately adjacent to the Hawver Cave. The former road behind the Hawver Cave entrance gates, that was cut into the mountain to extract high-grade limestone from the Cave Valley Area, is now being groomed as a trail. It runs for thousands of feet into the mountain. There are multiple glory-holes, side-tunnels and even an underground lake - home to a unique species of albino salamander. Hawver Cave also produced buckets of Pleistocene era fossils including bones from saber-tooth cat, ground sloth and snub-nosed bear. State Parks and the Canyon Keepers are scheduled to open tours of Hawver Cave in July of 2013.

NOTE: The Placer County Courthouse Museum in Auburn has a display on the Hawver Cave Pleistocene animals complete with replica fossil bones.

The canyons are best known for their high quality recreational diversity. An estimated half million + people each year spend time recreating in the Auburn State Recreation Area. Close to 100 miles of trails and 40 miles of boating, ranging from easy to highly technical, attract recreationists seeking rigorous experiences, intense challenges, or just time close to beautiful serene river wilderness.

• The American River Canyons host numerous runs and rides including the legendary Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Tevis Cup 100 Mile Horseback Ride, the Cool Mountain Bike Race and the Cool Canyon Crawl.
  
  
• Two class V whitewater runs - Chamberlain Falls and the Tunnel Chute - draw thousands of visitors each year. There are also easy runs for beginning boaters and flat water recreation on Lake Clementine.
  
  
• Countless others photograph, hike, run, raft, canoe, ride, mountain bike, hunt, fish, bird, rock climb, swim, picnic, camp, gold pan and just enjoy nature in the canyons.
  
  
• The canyons provide wilderness educational opportunities for schools and area nature centers.