American Camp Lookout

Total Miles
9.1

Elevation

1,035.71 ft

Duration

2 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Easy

Best Time

Summer, Spring, Fall

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American Camp Lookout 9

Trail Overview

This is a super pretty drive as it descends into the canyons and back up to the mountaintops. On your way to the lookout, you will drive through the Italian Bar/Lost Dutchman Mining Camp, which is a cool place to either pay to camp or you can pay and go gold panning in the river. After leaving there, you go back up the hill and to the American Camp Lookout. This is an epic view from the base of the fire tower and a good spot to camp as well. It does get muddy and rutted so be ready to get dirty!

Photos of American Camp Lookout

American Camp Lookout
American Camp Lookout

Difficulty

Some parts of this trail are just forest roads, but the final part of the trail to the tower can be rutted out and muddy. 4x4 is recommended as well as a vehicle with clearance. There are some rocky sections as well but nothing too crazy that an average 4x4 couldn't handle.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Bao Le
Jul 07, 2024
4x4
Open
Dusty
Fun trail, great for 1 day trip. Some narrow sections so expect to get pinstriped. Last section before reaching the top gets somewhat technical but not hard. Was able to pass with a completely stock Tundra. There’s also a few creeks where you can take a dip, especially on a hot day.
Mitchell Cole
Jun 22, 2024
2023 Tesla Cybertruck
Open
Dusty
Beautiful views and most of the trail was just a dirt road. After the bridge it got a bit rutted but if you pick the right line I think a 2WD can make it. I saw a dry potential mud crossing, but it was completely dry in late June. There was one turnout next to the river that would provide a great picnic or camping spot.
Wayne King
Jun 15, 2024
2021 Ford Bronco
Open
Normal
Dusty
Rough/Deteriorated
Dry and dusty, no mud or water crossings in June. Not many people on the trail. Saw deer on trail. Trail is pretty rutted above the bridge crossing the Stanislaus River. Easily passable but slow going.
Jairo Ramos
May 31, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Made my way to the American Camp lookout to camp the night out there; trail was easy enough for any crossover to make it up about 3/4’s of the way. Towards the end of the trail near the camp look out it gets a bit more difficult. Pretty deep ruts, and a lot of un even terrain. Overall most 4x4 high clearance vehicles will be able to execute this trail without much difficulty.

Access Description

The easiest way to get here is from Columbia. Take Italian Bar Road all the way from Columbia to the trail start. It can also be accessed from the Camp 9 Road entrance.

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