American Canyon
There are many trails between the Middle Fork and Sliger Mine Road.  Start at Quarry Road, Hwy. 49 at the quarry, Sliger Mine Road, or the roads on the Georgetown Divide east of Cool. 

Applegate
The trail from Applegate to Upper Clementine Lake is unmarked and seldom used. It is the only trail access to the north side of the canyon at Clementine Lake and the lower North Fork.
Take I-80 to the Applegate exit. Go downhill until you get to the "T," where you turn left on Applegate Road. Turn right on Boole Road after the railroad underpass. Travel 1.7 more miles to Cerro Torre Lane on the left. Go uphill less than a tenth of a mile to until you get to a wide spot on the left. The trail angles to the left.
Until the 1980's, the trail was used by 4-wheel-drive vehicles. This trail comes out on the gravel bar just across the North Fork and upstream from the popular beach area at Upper Clementine. 
The water is very warm in summer. When the Upper Clementine Road is closed, this trail and the road provide the only route crossing of the North Fork between Ponderosa Way and Foresthill Road. There is no bridge, however, and the ford should be made only at low flow. The trip across the canyon takes about half a day. Camping is sometimes open at Upper Clementine, except after floods. Boat-in camping on the upper end of the lake is by reservation only, with access from Clementine Dam.

Canyon Creek
This is one of the best hiking trails. 

Take Hwy. 193 east from Highway 49 at Cool. Turn left on Sliger Mine Road (surface will become dirt.) About 1/4 mile past the park boundary sign, there is a road to the left and a 'No Bikes' sign on the right. The trail goes uphill to the right, then switches back several times. It levels out on the grade of an abandoned ditch. This trail gives great views of the Middle Fork at Ruck-a-Chucky and the Sierras beyond. There is an open mine shaft next to the trail, easy to miss if you walk fast. Several other trails branch off as the trail goes all the way to Canyon Creek, perhaps 10 miles each way. The trail is posted against bikes. This is a great place to see north-slope trees and flowers in the foothills. Fill water bottles at any of the rivulets. 

Ford's Bar
The Middle Fork is featured by the trail to Ford's Bar, about 4.5 hiking miles from the end of Driver's Flat Road. The trail goes past Ruck-a-Chucky rapid, then an offshoot goes down to the river. The main route may be easy to miss. Ford's Bar is a pleasant bend with a beach. There are a few muddy spots and small creek crossings. The river is a bit cold for much swimming, 
but large trout lurk in deep channels. 

Take Foresthill Road east from Auburn. Turn right on Driver's Flat Road. Stay to the left. Pass the camping area and raft access point. Park at the narrow turnaround or further back. The trail is a gentle for the first mile to Ruck-a-Chucky, then cuts to the left off the roadbed.

McKeon
This road, part of what once was Ponderosa Way, which traversed the Northern Sierra Foothills,  was closed to vehicles in the 1980's by the US Bureau of Reclamation. The road is paved and connects the Middle Fork at Driver's Flat Road to the Foresthill Divide, following pretty Gas Canyon. This road is now a somewhat eroded trail suitable for non-motorized use only. 

Take Foresthill Road east from Auburn, turn right on Spring Garden Road. Stay to the right. Park on the side of the road near the gate, being careful to avoid the ruts. Ignore the 'Road Closed' signs on this public property. 
 

California Department of Parks and Recreation
American River District
7806 Folsom-Auburn Rd. ~ Folsom, CA 95630
(916)988-0205

Auburn State Recreation Area
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Box 3266 ~ Auburn, CA 95604
(916)885-4527