Shirttail Canyon

A fun route to a fantastic swimming hole below a suspension bridge.

Total Miles
24.7

Elevation

911.39 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer

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Shirttail Canyon 9
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Trail Overview

Difficulty

Easy: First half is a twisting paved road, narrow in spots. Watch for bikers. Second half is an easy dirt road. Four-wheel drive recommended.

History

Gold was first discovered in Iowa Hill in 1853 and mining continued off and on into the 1930s. A few mines have been intermittently worked in recent years. Most mining has been hydraulic, scars of which you'll see along the route. One spot along Iowa Hill Road has sheer cliffs on each side of the road due to hydraulic undercutting.

Technical Rating

2

Access Description

Take I-80 to town of Colfax. Take exit for Highway 174. Westbound exiters must cross over freeway. Follow Canyon Way south along east side of freeway 0.3 miles to paved Iowa Hill Road on left.

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