In article ,
Jeff Lanam wrote:

So, is there any more direct back-road access to these regions heading S
from places like Norden or Blue Canyon? -- Or is the N fork of the
American River an impenetrable barrier (for ordinary autos, anyway)
along that whole length S of 80?

The map shows Soda Springs Road going all the way to Auburn, turning
into Foresthill Road. However, I tried to check this out once and
found that it turns into dirt not far past Serene Lakes. I backed out
after a few yards and I was driving a Honda CRV AWD. I wouldn't
consider a PT Cruiser.

Thanks -- pretty much what I thought would be the case.

And are there any other groups whose posters might have info on this?

4WD clubs?

Yes -- but they seem to focus much more on the more southerly El Dorado
County area, notably the Rubicon Trail, Georgetown to Tahoma, than on
the Placer County area. And El Dorado County itself seems to put a lot
more publicity, maps, etc, than Placer County.