Iron Point and Euchre Bar Trailhead are located 3.5 miles from the Alta Exit at Interstate 80. The area is within the American River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest. The views from Iron Point into the American River Canyon are spectacular. To the East lies the Sierra Crest, to the West is the incomparable Giant Gap.

The scenery in this area was so impressive that the Transcontinental Railroad used to stop a couple miles from here allowing passengers to get out and experience the view. In 1871, the famous American landscape artist Thomas Moran immortalized the view with an engraving of Giant Gap for the publication "The Pacific Tourist."

The trail to Euchre Bar starts at Iron Point and drops 1780 feet in 1.5 miles to the North Fork American River, a designated Wild and Scenic River. While steep, the trail is in very good shape with lots of shade. The trail dates back to the California Gold Rush. Euchre was a card game popular with the early miners. At the river, one can find remnants of buildings, ditches and old mining equipment. A bridge, built in 1965, crosses the river. The main trail continues up river 2.5 miles to Humbug Bar.

At Euchre Bar, there are many side trails and old ditches to explore. The beautiful emerald pools of the river, although cold, are irresistible on a hot day. There are several nice campsites and the fishing is good. The more adventuresome will find as much as they can handle in this rugged wilderness by exploring the various side canyons or scrambling in the main river gorge,

Getting There: Take Alta Exit off I-80. Set our trip meter. Go south a few meters and then left on Casa Loma Road. Parallel I-80 east .9 miles and bear to the right. Stay on the paved road past Moody Ridge Road (dirt) and cross RR Tracks at 1.3 miles. Pavement ends at 2.4 miles and at 2.8 miles the road comes back to the tracks. Turn right here, cross the tracks and follow road .7 miles to Iron Point. The path to Iron Point is on the right; go left for restroom and Euchre Bar Trail parking. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Euchre Bar Trail.

Vertical Gain or Loss: 1,780 feet

Trail Distance: 1.5 miles