Centers.
www.plumasmuseum.org Information Information
Tel: (530) 283-6320 (530) Tel:
Service Service
Quincy, CA 95971 CA Quincy,
U.S. Forest Forest U.S. 500 Jackson Street Jackson 500
panel for for panel Plumas County Museum County Plumas
See adjacent adjacent See
www.quincychamber.com
Tel: (530) 283-0188 (530) Tel:
Quincy, CA 95971 CA Quincy,
464 W. Main Street Main W. 464
Quincy Chamber of Commerce of Chamber Quincy
www.indianvalley.net
Tel: (530) 284-6633 (530) Tel: www.paradisechamber.com
Greenville, CA 95947 CA Greenville, Toll-free: (888) 845-2769 (888) Toll-free:
P.O. Box 516 Box P.O. Tel: (530) 877-9356 (530) Tel:
408 Main Street Main 408 Paradise, CA 95969 CA Paradise,
Chamber of Commerce of Chamber
5550 Skyway, #1 Skyway, 5550
Indian Valley Valley Indian
Recreation Commerce
Paradise Ridge Chamber of of Chamber Ridge Paradise
www.portolavisitorscenter.com
Tel: (530) 832-0671 (530) Tel:
Resources
www.orovillechamber.net
Portola, CA 96122 CA Portola,
Toll-free: (800) 655-GOLD 655-GOLD (800) Toll-free:
424 E. Sierra Ave. (Hwy. 70) (Hwy. Ave. Sierra E. 424
Tel: (530) 538-2542 (530) Tel:
Williams House Museum House Williams
Beauty Oroville, CA 95965 CA Oroville,
Portola Visitors Center Visitors Portola
2011.
1789 Montgomery Street Montgomery 1789
is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. Reprinted Reprinted employer. and provider service opportunity equal an is
Commerce www.easternplumaschamber.com
Produced in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, which which Service, Forest USDA the with cooperation in Produced Heritage
Oroville Chamber of of Chamber Oroville Tel: (530) 836-6811 (530) Tel:
Graeagle, CA 96103 CA Graeagle,
www.gridleyareachamber.com P.O. Box 1043 Box P.O.
Byway
Tel: (530) 846-3142 (530) Tel: Junctions of Hwys. 89 and 70 and 89 Hwys. of Junctions (530) 836-2575 (530)
of Commerce of Gridley, CA 95948 CA Gridley, Blairsden, CA 96103 CA Blairsden,
Eastern Plumas Chamber Chamber Plumas Eastern
613 Kentucky Street Kentucky 613 P.O. Box 7 Box P.O.
Commerce
(off Hwy. 70, west of Blairsden) of west 70, Hwy. (off
Scenic Scenic
www.lakealmanorarea.com
Gridley Chamber of of Chamber Gridley
23 Mohawk Highway Road Highway Mohawk 23
Toll-free: (800) 350-4838 (800) Toll-free:
Ranger District Ranger
www.fs.usda.gov/lassen
Tel: (530) 258-2426 (530) Tel:
www.chicochamber.com
PNF-Beckwourth
(530) 258-2141 (530) Chester, CA 96020 CA Chester,
River 852-8570 (800) Toll-free:
Chester, CA 96020 CA Chester, P.O. Box 1198 Box P.O.
Tel: (530) 891-5556 (530) Tel:
(530) 283-0555 (530) P.O. Box 767 Box P.O. 529 Main Street Main 529
Chico, CA 95928 CA Chico,
Chamber of Commerce of Chamber Quincy, CA 95971 CA Quincy, Hwy. 36 (west of Chester) of (west 36 Hwy.
300 Salem Street Salem 300
Lake Almanor Area Almanor Lake Feather Feather Quincy) of (NW Almanor Ranger District Ranger Almanor
Chico Chamber of Commerce of Chamber Chico
39696 Highway 70 Highway 39696 Lassen National Forest National Lassen
www.plumascounty.org
Ranger District Ranger
www.experiencebuttecounty.com
Toll-free: (800) 326-2247 (800) Toll-free:
PNF-Mt. Hough PNF-Mt. (530) 534-6500 (530)
Tel: (530) 895-2728 (530) Tel:
Tel: (530) 283-6345 (530) Tel:
Oroville, CA 95965 CA Oroville,
Chico, CA 95927 CA Chico,
Quincy, CA 95971 CA Quincy,
875 Mitchell Avenue Mitchell 875
www.fs.usda.gov/plumas
P.O. Box 496 Box P.O.
(Half mile west of downtown) of west mile (Half
PNF-Feather River District River PNF-Feather
(530) 283-2050 (530)
Developnent Corporation Developnent 550 Crescent St. (Hwy. 70) (Hwy. St. Crescent 550
Northern California’s Northern
Quincy, CA 95971 CA Quincy, Butte County Economic County Butte
Plumas County Visitors Bureau Visitors County Plumas
(530) 284-7126 (530) P.O. Box 11500 Box P.O. Plumas County Plumas A guide to to guide A Butte County Butte
Greenville, CA 95947 CA Greenville, 159 Lawrence Street Lawrence 159
128 Hot Springs Road Springs Hot 128
(PNF) Headquarters (PNF)
Scenic Byway attractions. Byway Scenic
PNF-Greenville Work Center Work PNF-Greenville
Plumas National Forest National Plumas
information regarding Feather River River Feather regarding information
U.S. Forest Service Information Centers Information Service Forest U.S. Contact these sources for more more for sources these Contact
The Feather route because of its relatively low elevation, River Scenic the Feather River Scenic Byway can be Since the advent of the Byway is enjoyed throughout the year. Each season a treasure provides a unique view of the route. In the automobile, motorists have awaiting spring, you’ll find nearly 100 waterfalls, discovery. brilliant wildflowers, and brightly- enjoyed pleasure driving. Start at the colored boats of daring kayakers riding west end the whitewater. In the summer, the sun The United States Forest and you’ll sparkles off the river as swimmers, fishing find Lake enthusiasts and gold miners enjoy the Service established the National Oroville, cool water. The beautiful fall colors along a jewel set the steep mountain slopes make autumn Forest Scenic Byways Program in golden spectacular. In the winter, the river rushes hills. Follow and the snow- to showcase the scenic, historic, Highway 70 up the Feather River Canyon capped mountains and make discoveries at each curve of the contrast sharply recreational, cultural, archeological highway. The canyon is an awesome gorge with the granite carved by the river through granite, into and slate at and natural qualities of some of conifer forests and high mountain meadows. river level. The human additions of highway, railroad this country’s finest roadways. The and powerhouses are beautiful feats of There is so engineering in their own right. At the east much to see Feather River Scenic Byway is a end of the Byway, the route winds through and do along the Sierra Valley, the western edge of the the way that you fine example of the use of natural Great Basin. should plan plenty of time for stops. One-way drive time of resources as working assets. The This 130-mile route features the route is approximately three and one- incomparable natural beauty half hours. The map inside shows a few natural beauty and historic interest and diversity in terrain, highlights, but we encourage you to explore landscape, wildlife the area in more depth. The various visitors make this a drive you’ll remember habitat and centers and information sources listed in human this brochure can provide you with more with pleasure. Welcome to usefulness. details on your particular areas of interest. the Feather River Scenic Byway. Known as an Drive carefully and enjoy! all-weather CHESTER 36
36 Northern California’s To Mt. Lassen 89 Lake Almanor Feather River Scenic Byway 89 LASSEN CO. Redding Feather River Scenic Byway Feather River PLUMAS CO.
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Feather River 7 Pacific Crest Trail riding, golf, fishing and fine meals. It served as a Trailheads to the Pacific Crest Trail are located on private high school in the 1970s and 80s and the Scenic Byway Attractions both sides of Highway 70 near Belden Town, the heart University of the Pacific operated it as an alumni of the Feather River Canyon. The Pacific Crest Trail, camp and conference center until 2005. Following new ownership and a major renovation, the inn 1 2 Feather River Fish Hatchery & Lake which runs from Canada to Mexico, is one of the nation’s most beloved hiking trails. Other recreation plans to reopen as a destination resort once again, Oroville State Recreation Area around Belden Town includes spring kayaking, camp- offering lodging, golf, a theater, spa facilities, shops Lake Oroville is the gemstone of the state water ing, RV hookups, summer music festivals, gold mining, and restaurants. The huge chalet-style lodge build- project. Waters from the Feather River converge to fishing and swimming. ing is an impressive sight. form a recreational paradise with boating, fish- ing, camping and bike and equestrian trails. The 8 Eby Stamp Mill 13 Plumas-Eureka State Park water stored in Lake Oroville generates electricity Reconstructed at this site, the Eby Stamp Mill has Situated at the base of Eureka Peak in Johnsville, an upstream and serves the water needs of farmers interpretive signage explaining how the huge iron indoor/outdoor museum complex tells the mining and other citizens as far south as Los Angeles. The stamps were used to crush gold-bearing quartz from history of this area. A restored stamp mill, miner’s visitors center at Lake Oroville State Recreation mines near Seneca from 1898 to 1937. cabin and assayer’s office bring the mining days to Area has permanent displays portraying the area’s life for visitors. Rich mines drew $25 million in gold history and natural surroundings. The fish hatchery 9 Rich Bar from the mountains during the 1880s. Now a state below the dam is one of Butte County’s five official The richest gold producing area in the Feather River park, camping, hiking and fishing are the draw for Watchable Wildlife viewing areas. Watershed, there is nothing left of Rich Bar except visitors. In the winter, Eureka Ski Bowl operates a Other sites not to be missed in Oroville include the for a secluded graveyard and a historic marker com- family ski hill featuring historic longboard races. Chinese Temple and the Pioneer Museum (con- memorating the rich history of this site. One resident tact the Oroville Chamber of Commerce for more of the 1850s, Dame Shirley, recorded turbulent 14 Lakes Basin Recreation Area information). times common to the gold rush towns. In what is Dotted with numerous lakes, this area offers some- now a book titled The Shirley Letters, she reports of thing for every outdoor enthusiast: boating, hiking, 3 Cherokee murders, bloody accidents, mob rule, whippings, a horse packing, camping and fishing are favorite ac- The largest diamond ever found in California was hanging, an attempted suicide and a fatal duel—all in tivities. Some lakes have full vehicle access includ- reputedly mined in Cherokee. Although the mines one month! ing boat ramps, while others are accessible by hiking were worked intermittently into the early 1900s, only. Beautiful trails of varying lengths provide only about 200 diamonds were found. The mines 10 Keddie Y spectacular views. have closed, but a few stone structures and a mu- As the railroad tracks emerge from a tunnel beneath seum remain. the highway, they split to form a “Y”. It is an impres- 15 Western Pacific Railroad Museum sive feat of engineering and the only trestle of its Railroad buffs from all over the world visit the 4 Pulga Bridge kind in the world. Railroad buffs often perch along Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola where The Feather River Canyon boasts some of the most the highway above the tracks with cameras poised, you can view displays, inspect historic trains and beautiful bridges in the West. One such engineer- waiting for a train to pass to complete the picture. even drive a locomotive. Train rides in cabooses and ing and aesthetic success is the Pulga Bridge. The Passenger trains stopped riding these rails in 1970, vista flat- cars around a one-mile track are offered bridge spans 680 feet with each end perched on and traffic is now limited to freight trains. during the summer. rocky outcroppings. A railroad bridge and the North Fork of the Feather River are approximately 11 Quincy 16 Beckwourth Cabin 200 feet below. Halfway between Reno and Oroville, Quincy is the The trail pioneered by Jim Beckwourth paral- county seat of Plumas County. You’ll find the Visitors lels the Feather River Scenic Byway along several 5 Tunnels Center at the west end of town at the airport. Among stretches. Beckwourth led many pioneers through Arch Rock, Elephant Butte, and Grizzly Dome are things to see is the county courthouse, a mammoth, what is the lowest pass over the Sierra. His cabin, three impressive tunnels blasted through solid four-story structure built in 1921. Behind the court- built in 1852, served as a hotel and trading post as granite. A Works Progress Administration (WPA) house is the County Museum. Housed here is a fine the trail grew more popular. Jim Beckwourth was project, some of the rock removed from inside the collection of Maidu baskets and artifacts along with one of only a small number of explorers of African- tunnels was used in the stone guardrails through- other historic and natural history displays. Quincy is American descent. out the canyon. also the beginning of the Maidu Worldmaker’s Trail, another scenic heritage route. Guides to the Heritage 17 Sierra Valley Wildlife Viewing 6 Bucks Creek Powerhouse Walk (a walking tour of Quincy’s historic buildings), Bordered by meadows and pines, this is a favor- This hydroelectric powerhouse is an excellent ex- backcountry driving tours off the byway and other ite viewing area among birders. You may witness ample of the power-generating process in action. visitor brochures are available at the Museum and the Canada geese, tundra swans, bald eagles, ospreys, Built in 1927, it is one of seven such powerhouses Visitors Center. hawks and numerous migratory birds. Coyotes, mule located throughout the Feather River Canyon deer and black-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, squir- collectively known as the “Stairway of Power”. The 12 Feather River Inn rels, chipmunks and skunks are also seen. Nearby force of gravity is put to use here as water from Built in 1914, the Feather River Inn was a destination Lake Davis is part of the Watchable Wildlife View- Bucks Lake descends through pipes creating tre- resort for many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s elite. ing Network. Frenchman Lake, accessed through mendous pressure. Arriving by passenger train, the guests were treated to Chilcoot, is another good viewing area. Dawn and quaint accommodations, swimming pools, horseback dusk are prime times for sighting wildlife.