Myo Canyon

This is a very nice canyon on the North Fork of the North Fork of the American River, and having excellent rappels in the watercourse, a great opportunity for a guided rappel, jumps up to 40', and a few small slides, it is a top-tier route. It is described by some as having similarities to Jump Trip - but with crystal clear emerald water. It flows down solid granite, with many downclimbs and deep swimming pools. High clearance vehicles are required for reaching the parking areas; without would add about 5 miles of walking.

Take the Blue Canyon exit 155 off I-80, between Colfax and Truckee, CA. Turn right on Blue Canyon Road, and follow this to the end. It will turn to dirt and get high clearance a few miles from the end at 39.236333, -120.704483. This is where the named historic China Trail footpath heads down to the river, which you will return on. Leave a takeout vehicle here. Please drive very slowly (5mph) to respect dust for the locals that live there, and wave if you pass anybody. See the "Red Tape" section for specifics on the exit parking. Return to I-80 and head 2.5 miles east to the Emigrant Gap exit 158A. Take this and go right on Texas Hill Road for 4.5 miles to a dirt side road at 39.256283, -120.681000. This side road has a gate that historically hasn't been locked but as of August 2022 has been found locked with many signs of logging activity. If open, drive down this high clearance dirt road for .7 miles until the road becomes overgrown at a convenient turnaround spot at 39.247883, -120.684250. Leave a vehicle here and start hiking on the now overgrown road about a mile until the trees clear somewhat and you can clearly see the hillside across from you at 39.242800, -120.683100 -- leave the road at this point and drop down to the river and put on wetsuits.

Put on wetsuits at 39.24045, -120.68102 and start hiking downstream. You will encounter many downclimbs in the watercourse, some trickier than others, until you reach the first jump/rappel at 39.23530, -120.68356. The fun stuff consists of:

Reach the junction with the historical China Trail right where a dry-ish creek comes in at 39.231667, -120.692283 and take this 1200' up back to the takeout vehicle. As you are standing at the bottom of the creek looking up it, you'll see where it immediately narrows and is up-climbable. However don't climb up these narrows -- the trail is just over to your left on the hillside as you're looking up at the narrows.