As the river comes into view, note the flume easily visible on your right. The roar of rushing water will announce your imminent arrival at your destination: The South Fork of the American River. Photographers will enjoy capturing this striking image-as well as those to come. About a third of the way down, look for a narrow path on your left worn by those eager to get their first glimpse of the flume. Along the way, you’ll be greeted by a feast of trees, shrubs, mosses, lichens, ferns, and more.

Your descent will take half an hour or so. If you have them, trekking poles can be useful for braking on the way down as well as for the return climb. Because of the steep, somewhat rocky terrain, hiking boots or shoes with serious lugs are highly recommended. Standing 153 feet and stretching 750 feet between its ridges, this flume is believed to be the tallest built in El Dorado County.Īlthough this hike begins on level ground, you’ll quickly turn a corner and begin your descent of some 800 feet to the riverbed below. Water from the flume supported beef and cattle ranching, orchards, vineyards, and mining operations in the eastern Gold Hill area nearby. The Luce brothers managed the flume until 1924. This hidden historic gem has a lot to offer.Ī stone marker at the trailhead recounts the history of the Luce Ditch Flume, the name the waterway acquired in 1920 when brothers George and John Luce inherited the ranch from Izaac and Elizabeth Ober, who settled the land in 1860. We’d often driven past The Old Flume Trail, but only recently made good on our intention to hike it. Due to the current situation, my husband and I have focused our explorations close to home.

Water flume trail