From the Quarry Vet Check area, the road parallels the river for almost two miles to the crossing of Highway 49 near the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River along what was once the continuation of a grand fluming operation built during the Gold Rush from Maine Bar to this point.
A high arched concrete bridge of an abandoned railroad provides the last crossing of the American River near the confluence of the North and Middle Forks where the trail from the lower quarry road meets.
The Mountain Quarry Cement Bridge, often referred to as "No Hands Bridge", was completed on March 23, 1912. At the time of its construction the bridge was the longest concrete arch railroad bridge in the world. The building of the bridge also served to determine if concrete was practical for such long bridges. Although a couple of construction faults plagued the building of the span it was considered a great piece of railroad bridge engineering. The bridge stands today as a proud monument to early day engineering and to the men who worked with somewhat primitive tools to create it.
After crossing the bridge there is a mild upward grade along the former rail route that parallels the river. The rails and the trestles that once spanned the creek ravines are long gone, having been salvaged for the War effort in the 1940's. After about two miles the trail leaves the railbed and climbs to cross Robie Point. Within another two miles you are at the Finish Line, the Western States Trail Staging Area near the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn.
