2013-2014

Sierra County Visitors Guide www.sierracountychamber.com May 2013 Aug 17 » Wine in the Woods. Wine Tasting, Oct 20 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Memorial Day Weekend » Kentucky Mine hors d’oeuvres & silent auction at The Gallery, Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 Museum opens. Sierra City. 862-1310 Mountain Creek Restaurant, Old Sierra City Hotel & Sorracco’s Saloon, Sierra City. Tickets pre-sale Oct 31 » Sierra City Trick or Treat Main Street or at the door. 862-9009 or 862-1560 Bring family & friends, bags & buckets & trick June 2013 or treat all along Main Street. 5:30–7:30 PM Main June 15 » Tour de Manure, 62 Mile Valley Bicycle Aug 18 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Street Sierra City. 862-1580 race. Sierraville. 994-3344 Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 November 2013 June 15–16 » Underground Gold Miner Museum Aug 24 » E.C.V. Fall Doins. Convention & Nov 9 » Jolly Holiday Bazaar. 9 AM–3 PM Gold Show. Alleghany. 287-3223 Annual Meeting. Tin Cup Diggins, Downieville. Community Hall. Sierra City. 862-1580 www.downie1849.com June 15–16 » Historical Walking Tours of Nov 11 » E.C.V. Candle Light Doins. Grandiose Alleghany. 11am & 2pm. Alleghany. 287-3223 Aug 24 » Native Daughter’s Ice Cream Social. Evening Initiation for gentlemen over 50. Main Sample homemade ice cream & vote on your Street, Downieville. www.downie1849.com June 16 » Father’s Day Fishing Derby. Yuba & favorite. Cookies. Raffle. Noon.320 Commercial Downie rivers. Downieville. 289-3595 St., Downieville. Nov 11 » Veterans’ Day Ceremony. Evening Initiation f. Bell Tower, Downieville. June 22 » Artists Reception. The Gallery. Sierra Aug 24 » Artists Reception. The Gallery. Sierra City. 862-1188 City. 862-1188 Nov 28 » Miss Jody Thanksgiving Dinner. 1– 4pm Downieville Community Hall July 2013 Aug 24 » Loyalton Fireman’s Street Festival & Show and Shine. Loyalton. 993-0640 July 4 » Downieville 4th of July Parade & December 2013 Festivities. Noon. Main Street, Downieville September 2013 Dec 6 » Sierra City’s A Stroll in the Snow. 5–8 PM Main Street Sierra City. 862-1580 July 4 » Loyalton 4th of July Parade & Aug 31–Sept 1 » Gold Rush Weekend: Sat: BBQ Festivities. Main Street & Sierra Brooks Picnic rib cook-off, poker run, dance, vendors; Sun: Grounds, Loyalton Donkey race. Downieville 289-3126 Dec 7 » Holiday on Main Street, Downieville

July 5 » Homegrown Talent: Open Mic. Yuba Sept 1 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Dec 14 » Sierra City Children’s Christmas Theatre, Downieville. 289-9822 Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 Potluck & Party. 6 PM Community Hall, Sierra City. 862-1347 for info

July 6 » Sierra City Old Time Independence Sept 1 » Homegrown Talent: Open Mic. Yuba Day Celebration. 1–5 PM. Carnival games, sack Theatre, Downieville. 289-9822 January 2014 races, chicken bingo, bartender races, BBQ & Jan 12 » Burning Tree Fest. Downieville. more! Sierra Skies Community Park, Sierra City. Sept 14 » Downieville Antique Bottles & 862-1560 Collectibles Show & Sale. 8 AM–3 PM. February 2014 Downieville School Gym. Rick & Cherry Simi, Cabin Fever Spaghetti Feed, 3rd Saturday in July 6 » Downieville Independence Street Dance 289-3659 February. Community Hall, Downieville CALENDAR OF EVENTS & Muster. Downieville. 289-3126 Sept 15 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Feb 15 » Homegrown Talent: Open Mic. Yuba July 7 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 Theatre, Downieville. 289-9822 Noon–3 PM; Every 1st and 3rd Sunday thru Oct. 993-4488 Sept 20–21 » 5th Annual Big City Rod Run and March 2014 Car Party. 100+ hot rods, muscle & vintage cars. Mar 1 » The Chili Cook-off, Atop the Yuba Pass. July 13 » Kentucky Mine Concert Series: Live Bands, raffles, poker walk, craft fair & unique 289-3262 Mumbo Gumbo. 7:30 PM Kentucky Mine awards from the surrounding businesses. Sierra Amphitheater Sierra City. 862-1310. BBQ 6 PM. City. 862-1560 Mar 16 » Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner. Show $20; BBQ $15 Community Hall, Sierra City. 862-1580 Sept 21 » Artists Reception. The Gallery. Sierra July 12–28 » California State Fair. Come visit City. 862-1188 Snowbusters Spaghetti Feed. Community Hall, the Sierra County booth & vote for us! Cal Expo Sierra City. 862-1577 Sacramento. October 2013 Oct 5 » Mountain Star Quilters Fall Color Quilt April 2014 July 21 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Show. Theme is “Rhapsody in Blue.” Opens as Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour. Yuba Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 10am. Community Hall, Downieville Sierra City. Theatre Downieville. 289-9822 862-1580 July 27 » Artists Reception. The Gallery. Sierra April 19 » Downieville Easter Egg Hunt City. 862-1188 Oct 6 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 August 2013 MAY 2014 Aug 1–4 » Downieville Classic Bike Race. Cross Oct 12 » Oktoberfest. Street fair, music, vendors, May 3 » Springtime Ladies Champagne country and downhill race, music & street faire. raffle. 10 AM–4 PM.Downtown Sierra City. 862- Luncheon. Celebrate Mother’s Day. Sierra City. Downieville. 289-3010 9009 862-1580

Aug 4 » Loyalton Farmer’s Market & Bazaar. Oct 19 » Homegrown Talent & Art Show: Noon–3 PM; 993-4488 Open Mic & Juried Art Show. Sierraville School, Sierraville. 289-9822 All phone numbers are 530 unless otherwise noted. Go to www.sierracountychamber.com for more events & details CONTENTS Calendar of Events...... Inside cover Welcome to Sierra County...... 1 WELCOME TO SIERRA COUNTY Sierra County Then & Now...... 2 Pliocene Ridge...... 3 River Canyon...... 4 Sierra County is located in the heart the alpine forests, river canyons, valleys Sierra Buttes...... 5 of the northern section of the Sierra and mountain peaks. These beautiful Lakes Basin Recreation Area...... 6 Nevada. It remains today much as it mountain highways wander through Sierra Valley...... 7 What To Do in Sierra County...... 8–17 was over 100 years ago when the gold- some of the finest winter recreation sites Sierra County Map...... 18–19 seeking argonauts worked the rivers and in California. Food & Drink...... 20 mountains in search of their fortune in Services...... 21 gold. The rivers run free and the forests Here shopping and dining is enjoyed Shopping & Activities...... 22-23 and meadows wrap their beauty around in historic setting. Amenities range Lodging...... 24-25 mountains that defy contemporary from campgrounds to lodging in Camping & Picnicking...... 26 development. It’s beautiful in all seasons. comfortable historic buildings with Yuba River Scenic Byway...... 27 Local Business Ads & Events...... 28-35 modern conveniences, all surrounded by Lodging Matrix...... 36 Sierra County provides recreation year- the rugged beauty of mountain forests, Trails Matrix...... Inside Cover round for every visitor, and scenery that lakes and rivers. sparkles with each new season. For all its wilderness and pristine beauty, Sierra Sierra County is rich with beauty, MILEAGE CHART Reno to Loyalton______42 miles County is easily accessible year round. natural resources and friendly people, (Hwy 395, Hwy 70, Hwy 49) All major highways into the county are but it has even more to offer. The Reno to Sierraville______60 miles maintained and plowed during periods Washoe and Maidu Indians, early gold (Hwy I-80, Hwy 89) of snowfall. miners, loggers and ranchers left us with Reno to Sierra City______79 miles (Hwy 395, Hwy 70, Hwy 49) a priceless possession—a window to Sacramento to Downieville______99 miles Fishing, hiking and camping are the past. Historic buildings provide a (I-80, Hwy 49) available for all levels of interest and rare and unique look into American Sacramento to Sierra City______107 miles (I-80, Hwy 49) ability. Much of Sierra County is located history as it spans over time and into Nevada City to Downieville______44 miles within the Tahoe National Forest and the present. When you visit, be prepared (Hwy 49) residents and visitors alike benefit from to take a step back, feel the adventure, Nevada City to Sierra City______56 miles (Hwy 49) the campgrounds, picnic areas and sense the struggle and experience Loyalton to Downieville______49 miles historic sites. the excitement of gold fever. Imagine (Hwy 49) the human spirit as it worked its way Truckee to Sierraville______30 miles Bring your camera! Each season has through this rugged country by foot or (Hwy 89) Truckee to Sierra City______49 miles its own character of beauty that can on horseback. You can almost hear the (Hwy 89, Hwy 49) be captured in photographs. Spring sound of creaking wheels and braying Downieville to Sierra City______12 miles melts the tapestry of a winter blanket, mules. Stop, listen, look. (Hwy 49) then gracefully captures the fields and Quincy to Calpine______49 miles Let others in on the secret—it’s all here in (Hwy 70, Hwy 89) rock crevices with a rainbow of color. the playground of the Sierra. San Francisco to Sierra City_____ 202 miles Golds, reds and yellows of fall adorn (I-80, Hwy 49) From Truckee: Hwy 89 N to Hwy 49 S

From the Bay Area: I-80 E to Auburn then Hwy 49 N through Grass Valley.

If you want to travel on unpaved roads while exploring Sierra County, it is recommended that you drive a high clearance 4WD vehicle.

Highways 49 & 89 are usually open all year even when interstates are closed due to snow conditions. Call Caltrans at 1-800-427-7623 for current road conditions or check online at: www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

Produced by the Sierra County Chamber of Commerce 800-200-4949 www.sierracountychamber.com Design & production by Fox Parlor

A BIG thank you!!! to all the local POPULATION photographers who have so graciously 1850 1860 1997 2000 2009 donated their work. Many sell their prints,3 3,741 7,340 3,360 3,555 3,174 many locally available in galleries and shops. Sierra County: Est. 1852

Sierra County is divided by the Pacific crest and thrived for a period. As the gold rush one of the largest sub-alpine valleys in the at the midpoint, with the western side of waned, Sierra County’s population slowly Sierra Nevada range. the county made up of steep canyons and diminished to its present 3,240. forested ridges. The county was home to During the gold rush, communities in the both Maidu and Washoe Indians, but its The most visible relic of the history of those eastern side of the county, with agriculture modern history is tied to the California gold years is the 1885 Sheriff’s Gallows that as their base, developed to provide rush. The discovery of gold, and subsequent remain standing adjacent to the County commodities to the growing gold camps. A gold rush, resulted in some 16,000 miners courthouse. Built for the specific execution number of century-old ranches still continue settling within the county between 1848 and of a young murderer, James O’Neill, the the tradition of cattle ranching in the Sierra 1860. structure was used only once. Valley.

Dozens of communities with colorful names The eastern side of the Pacific crest also Loyalton, the county’s only incorporated such as Brandy City, Poker Flat, Poverty has deep canyons and timberland, and, in city, today has about a thousand residents. Hill and Whiskey Diggins, were settled addition, opens out to the great Sierra Valley,

Butte Saddle Mill Practicing for the Sierra County Fair rodeo in Loyalton 1960 Downieville Parade, circa 1880s Logging Operation near John Bassett 1908 Loyalton, 1906.

The rugged Sierra Nevada is paramount in the mountains and canyons of Sierra County. The rivers, lakes and forests combined provide recreational opportunities and scenic beauty all year long. To help you explore all that Sierra County has to offer, we have split this visitors guide in to sections representing five distinct regions:

The Pliocene Ridge runs west-east along the southern end of At Bassetts, Highway 49 meets the Gold Lake Highway which the county, straddling a ridge where Henness Pass Road runs at meanders around the north-east side of the Sierra Buttes, an elevation around 5,000 feet. taking visitors to the Lake Basin recreation area, where over 45 alpine lakes provide year-round recreation and scenic The River Canyon is the western middle part of the county, beauty. the area from where Highway 49 crosses the North Yuba river and starts running parallel to the river past Goodyears Bar and If you continue on Hwy 49 over the Yuba Pass, at 6,702 ft., you through Downieville all at around 2000–3,000 ft. drop into the majestic Sierra Valley. Situated at approximately 5,000 ft. this is one of the largest sub-alpine valleys in the U.S., As the highway climbs in elevation up the North Yuba famous for its history of ranching and amazing wetlands—a River Canyon, you come into the Sierra Buttes area, where stop over for thousands of migratory birds each season. Loganville and Sierra City sit at the foot of the Buttes at about 4,200 ft. The Buttes themselves are almost 8,600 ft. Welcome to the best kept secret of the Sierra Nevada. 4 Photo by Mary Davey Pliocene Ridge

pike • alleghany • forest city

The Middle Yuba River forms the south-western border of Forest City was established in 1852 and within two years had Sierra County. This remote stretch of river winds through a population of over 1,000. The exceedingly rich and easily several box canyons and is rich in mining history. The accessible claims continued to pay until the 1860s when much Pliocene Ridge Road off Highway 49 near Camptonville takes of the gold was worked out of the gravel deposits. Like most you up to the ridge above this river, where the towns of early settlements, fires ravaged the town during its early years, Pike, Alleghany and Forest are nestled in the forest along the but there are still many historic buildings and sites to see. Pliocene Ridge. Cultural Attractions History The Underground Gold Miners Museum in Alleghany is only The Maidu and Washoe Indians are the first known residents open by appointment or during special events. Bring your of the Sierra Nevada. Their permanent homes were in the group or club to the museum for a unique local history foothills where the snow wasn’t too deep during the winter. presentation including information on the local mines and But, in the spring they moved up high into the Sierra to gather geology. You also find the famousOriginal Sixteen to One roots and berries, hunt and fish throughout the summer. As Mine, which has been in operation for over 100 years, in the Europeans began exploring the area and discovered gold, Alleghany. Tours are by reservation only. emigration from around the world brought a new cultural era to the region. Mining camps and towns sprang up in Sierra The tiny town of Forest City is its own museum. Most County with each gold discovery. Many of these towns have buildings date from the 1800s. Old buildings are being since disappeared and been reclaimed by the forest, but some renovated on an ongoing basis. Tours of the museum can still exist today. On the Pliocene Ridge, Alleghany and Forest be arranged. There is a self-guided walking tour brochure City remain as windows to our past. available that detail the town’s history and sites. Pick up your copy at the mail box in front of the Forest City Dance Alleghany developed into a town from the consolidation Hall. Read more about the town on the Forest City Historical of several mining locations of the early 1850s. There were Association’s website at forestcitycal.com hydraulic mining operations here as well as drift tunnels that cut into the mountain’s ancient river beds. The still-working Original Sixteen to One gold mine is located in Alleghany.

5 Photo by Mary Davey River Canyon indian valley • goodyears bar • downieville

The River Canyon is the area where Highway search of gold. As the population of the area The Yuba Theatre was built in 1940 as a 49 parallels the North Yuba River from grew, Downieville served as a trading center movie theater. Since 1996, it has been the the bridge just west of Indian Valley, past for the Northern Mines. By the mid-1850s, home of the Sierra County Arts Council. It Goodyears Bar and into Downieville. The Downieville was California’s fifth-largest currently has fixed seats for 184 and has been canyon walls and forested hillsides provides town. In 1852 Downieville lost the bid to transformed into a professional performing a dramatic backdrop to the river and its be the State Capitol to Sacramento by 10 arts venue. Year-round events include many seasonal waterfalls. With the river votes. Today, Downieville retains much of its presentations of live music, community and road wind together through the canyon, original character. theatre, dance, school drama productions, recreationists have easy access to sight-seeing, book-signings, slide shows and film.The swimming, fishing and camping. Goodyears Bar was named for two brothers, Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is Miles and Andrew, who came looking for presented each April. History gold in 1849. In 1862 there were over 3,000 The Maidu and Washoe Indians are the first people and 51 businesses in town, with gold Main Street in Downieville is narrow, known residents of the Sierra Nevada. In the being the main economy. The town burned full of character and lined with trees, summers they moved to the mountains to in 1864 and was never rebuilt, except for wooden boardwalks and historic buildings. hunt and fish. During the fall and winter they the post office, still in operation. Historic Downieville is considered the least changed returned to the foothills and valley below. buildings remaining include Helm’s St. of all the gold rush towns in California. The When gold was discovered, emigration from Charles Inn, now a Bed & Breakfast and Gallows in Downieville was only used once around the world brought a new era to the the School House, a museum & community but it remains today as a reminder of justice region. Mining camps and towns sprang up center. in the gold rush era. There is a self-guided in Sierra County with each gold discovery. walking tour brochure available that details Some towns are memories, but many still the town’s history and sites. Cultural Attractions exist today. Downieville and Goodyears Bar The Downieville Museum building dates remain as windows to our past. The Goodyears Bar Schoolhouse was built back to 1852 when it was built as a store around 1872 and is still used as a community by Chinese emigrants. Today it contains Downieville, the county seat of Sierra County, gathering place. It recently became a informative collections that depict life is located on Hwy 49 at the fork of the North museum, open to the public, featuring four here from gold rush days to the present. It Yuba and Downie rivers. Gold was discovered different exhibits. features a detailed model of turn-of-the- here in the summer of 1849. By May 1850, century Downieville as well as logging and Downieville had 15 hotels and gambling Winter in the River Canyon is mild with mining exhibits. It’s open weekends mid- houses, 4 bakeries and 4 butcher shops. light snow cover December through March. May through mid-October (depending upon 5,000 men wintered in town that year. In the Summers are warm but not overbearingly weather) 11am – 4pm and Memorial Day following spring, that population scattered hot, and the river is right there in case you Weekend through Labor Day it’s open daily. into the surrounding hills and canyons in need a dip! 6 Sierra Buttes loganville • sierra city

Highway 49 parallels the North Yuba River all the way from the clover field and a garden here. This is an example of a typical River Canyon area, past Loganville and into Sierra City. This homestead of that time. Many of the original miners in Loganville scenic drive provides travelers and recreationists easy access to & Sierra City were immigrants from Italy, France and the British sight-seeing, fishing, camping and swimming. Isles.

Cultural Attractions This stretch of road provides a kaleidoscope of terrain and plant The Kentucky Mine, Stampmill and Museum are located just east communities. The craggy peaks of the Sierra Buttes are a spectacular of Sierra City on Hwy 49. The museum offers guided tours into site any season, whether in the winter and spring when adorned the underground mine and also into California’s only remaining with a tapestry of snow, the fall when the trees glow in autumn workable gold ore stamp mill. The museum depicts the gold rush colors, or the summer when flowers abound and the water is a era of Sierra County, life in a mining camp and the local American perfect temperature for swimming. Indian culture. History Development of communities and recreation in Sierra County was Main Street in Sierra City is charmingly narrow and lined with the direct result of the discovery and search for gold in California. many turn-of-the-century structures, complete with wooden As the roads improved, travelers began to stop and enjoy the boardwalks. A free walking tour map is available at most Sierra beauty and wildlife. City businesses.

Sierra City was established as a mining town in 1850. By 1852, The Masonic Hall, built in 1864, is the oldest building in town miners were retrieving gold from several tunnels in the nearby and was at one point the first schoolhouse in town.Sierra City Sierra Buttes. At this time, Sierra City had two large buildings, provides dramatic views of the Sierra Buttes. The Wells Fargo a bakery shop and several gambling houses and saloons. The building in Sierra City typifies 1870s Federalist Style architecture. buildings were crushed under an avalanche of snow in the winter This two-story brick structure was historically used as a mercantile of 1853, forcing the inhabitants to rebuild at the present lower store and Wells Fargo Express & Company stage coach stop in the elevation. The Sierra Buttes Mine was active for 80 years and was 1870s. the second largest gold producer in Sierra County. A continuous body of medium grade ore was processed efficiently, assuring A few miles east of Sierra City, Big Springs Gardens is home steady employment. In 1873, 290 men worked at this mine. to natural springs & a sparkling stream that cascades through magnificent trees, wild flowers and enormous granite Loganville campground is situated east of the former town of outcroppings. The gardens are easily accessible by groomed trails Loganville. In 1889, Luigi Lagomarsino planted an orchard, a that includes fabulous views of the Sierra Buttes.

7 Photo by Dave Keyes Lakes Basin Area green acres • bassetts • SARDINE lakes • GOLD LAKE • MORE LAKES The Lakes Basin Recreation Area is to during the late nineteenth century and the north of the Sierra Buttes, along Gold Yuba Pass, while not in the Lakes brought many recreationists to Sierra Lake Road. Bassetts is considered the Basin proper, also has camping and County. By the late 1920s, the Lakes gateway into this outdoors wonderland. recreational trails off Hwy 49 on the way Basin area boasted a number of popular Numerous glacially formed lakes add to into the Sierra Valley. resorts with fishing, swimming, boating the unique beauty of the landscape and and lodging available. offer recreation in its most pristine form. Development of communities and Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes, Packer recreation in Sierra County was the Shortly after the mid 1850s, a recreation Lake and Gold Lake are just a few of the direct result of the discovery and lodge was built at Gold Lake. Packer biggest. search for gold in California. As the Lake was on an early mule-pack trail and roads improved, travelers began to in 1926 a lodge was built, along with The craggy peaks of the Sierra Buttes stop and enjoy the beauty and wildlife. platform tents and log cabins. Gold Lake are a spectacular site, especially in the Californians in the late 1800s were very Road was constructed in 1913 providing winter and spring when adorned with interested in primitive environments for easier access to the lakes and resorts. a tapestry of snow. There are several recreation and relaxation. Wilderness Bassetts Station, at Hwy 49 and Gold excellent views of the Sierra Buttes camping and mountain climbing were Lake Road, began as a way station over from Gold Lake Road and along Hwy important aspects of this movement 125 years ago. It continues to provide a 49. During the winter, cross-country with a special appeal to city people as a rest stop and supply point for travelers. skiers and snowmobilers have a temporary relief from the frantic pace of Sardine Lake Resort was constructed unique opportunity to explore a winter urban life. A form of medical treatment in 1941 and multiple guest cabins were wonderland made more beautiful by the known as the “wilderness cure” enjoyed added in 1945. rugged mountainous backdrop. considerable popularity in California CDD HELP SAVE THE LAKES BASIN!

Support Prevention Summer time recreation is bodies displacing native species are extremely small & can survive Through 3 Simple extraordinary at Sierra County’s & sport fish, & colonizing docks, on boats and fishing gear for several Measures: many lakes, creeks and rivers. Local beaches & recreational equipment. weeks after exiting infested waters. 1) CLEAN all visible mud, plants & efforts are underway to protect animals from your watercraft & these beautiful waters from the You can help to keep the Lakes Your efforts will make a difference fishing gear; introduction & spread of Aquatic Basin& the Little Truckee River to protect our remarkable water 2) DRAIN all water from your Invasive Species (AIS) such as quagga watershed pristine by participating bodies and their exceptional scenic & watercraft motor, bilges, live & zebra mussels, New Zealand mud in the watercraft inspection program. recreational opportunities. Interested wells & bait buckets; snails, Eurasian watermilfoil & curly The County is conducting roving in learning more about AIS or would 3) DRY your watercraft, trailer leaf pondweed. Left unchecked, AIS boat inspections within this area to like to volunteer to support local & fishing gear for five days could cause irreversible harm to the minimize the likelihood that AIS will prevention efforts? Contact deedee@ 8 between launches. ecological balance of entire water be introduced. Many invasive species scfswc.com Photo by Mary Davey Sierra Valley calpine • sattley • sierraville • loyalton

Sierra Valley is part of the continental crust that was dropped devoted to cattle-raising and farming. Many of the existing by the same faulting that raised the Sierra Nevada. The vista ranches and barns were built in the 19th century. point on Highway 49, east of Yuba Pass, provides a spectacular panoramic view of this beautiful sub-alpine valley where Tucked at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada lie Sattley, Calpine, Sierraville and Loyalton lie surrounded by the communities of Sattley, Sierraville and Calpine which all the majestic mountains of the Sierra Nevada. The scenery offer remnants of both early ranching and logging. in Sierra Valley varies from conifer and aspen forests, to drier woodland forests, to a large valley covered with crops, Calpine was built as a company-owned sawmill town for pastures and wildflowers in the spring. Smaller valleys and the Davies-Johnson Lumber Company and its 500 workers. meadows are laced with meandering streams. Cattle share Loyalton was originally known as Smith’s Neck. The sentiment the pastures with deer and other wildlife. Old platy-barked of loyalty to the Union Cause during the Civil War led to ponderosa pine trees are a special feature in the landscape changing the name to Loyalton in 1863. In 1901, Loyalton was along the South-eastern stretch of Hwy 89 near Truckee. incorporated as a dry town, the size was set at 50.6 square miles. At that time, it was California’s second largest city after History Los Angeles. Today, Loyalton is the only incorporated city in The Sierra Valley ranches were settled in the 1850s. The Sierra County. ranches provided dairy products, hay and cattle for Truckee, Cultural Attractions the western Sierra County mines and the Comstock Mines in The Loyalton Museum is located in Loyalton at the city the 1860s. The lumber industry was also part of this healthy park. This historic building features displays on logging, agricultural economy and Sierra Valley timber supplied the agriculture, the Washoe Indians and fraternal organizations Comstock mines, Central Pacific Railroad and California including the Rebekah Lodge. Outdoor exhibits include fruit industry from the 1860s to the turn of the century. The logging wagons, a donkey engine and farm equipment. early 1900s marked a decline in the timber demands with the closing of mines, but the Sierra Valley lumber industry The brick building by the gas station in Loyalton was built continued to be an important aspect of the economy and around the turn of the 20th century. This building, along culture until the late 20th Century. with the old grocery store in Sierraville, are two of the few remaining buildings constructed of Sierra Valley brick. By the 1880s it was one of the finest agricultural regions of Numerous historic barns and farm houses throughout Sierra California. Since 1853, much of the population has been Valley date back to the 19th century. Many are still in use.

9 what to do in SIERRA COUNTY see www.sierracountychamber.com for more information

[ FALL FOLIAGE ] [ BIRDWATCHING ] [ BIRDWATCHING

Sierra County is a birdwatcher’s paradise. during spring and early summer. This area is Every area of the County provide outstanding an excellent place to view nesting waterfowl, opportunities to see birds both common and including wood ducks and shorebirds. The rare. And, there are lots of birds! Steel Bridge, located over the headwaters of the Feather River, provides an opportunity At dusk, bridges in Downieville are likely to to view Canadian geese, great blue heron, produce swallows and bats foraging for food. sandhill cranes, numerous ducks and During the day, Kingfishers, ospreys and bald songbirds. This is private property, so please eagles feed in the vicinity. The Empire Creek do not explore on foot. Sierra Valley is also Trail near Downieville passes through large the home of grouse, chucker and California areas of older forests inhabited by pileated mountain quail. woodpeckers, northern goshawks, pine marten and California spotted owl. Jackson Meadows Reservoir entertains broods of Canada geese, mergansers, mallards and In the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, Sand green-winged teal. Several meadows offer Pond Interpretive Trail near Sardine Lake good evening views of mule deer and bald Campground features wheel chair accessible eagles visit in the late fall. Kyburz Marsh wooden boardwalks that follow fern-lined off Hwy 89, 10 miles north of Truckee, is paths and cross stretches of shallow, clear an approximately 200 acres wildlife refuge water. This trail is barrier-free and provides and provides wildlife viewing for waterfowl, viewing opportunities of a wetland that has shorebirds, songbirds, numerous species been enlarged by a family of beavers. The path of hawks, osprey and bald eagles. Several also allows visitors to view trout and summer waterfowl nesting islands are located within mallard broods close up. In the Lakes Basin, the area. Bald eagles and osprey fish on the many lakes, and pine martens forage in nearby meadows. Many of the meadows in this area such as Church and Howard Meadows provide great viewing of songbirds like the willow flycatcher and various types of warblers. Trails off the Yuba Pass also provides excellent bird- watching opportunities.

In Sierra Valley, the Carman Valley north of Calpine has 30 to 40 acres of vernal habitat 10 All photos by Darby Hayes In the western end of the county Fiddle Creek Campground near [ CAMPING ] the North Yuba River bridge is popular. It is easily accessed from County to Plumas County near Graeagle. Hwy 49 and has excellent river The numerous campgrounds in this area, access. Rocky Rest Campground many directly on a lake, offer several is less developed but also offers levels of amenities including boating, amazing access to the river swimming, fishing, piped and stream for swimming and fishing. water, camping stoves, travel trailer spaces These are just two of the many and sites for horse trailers. Imagine a campgrounds in this area along place where you can have a whole lake to Hwy 49. yourself on a summer’s night. That’s the Lakes Basin. Further east along Hwy 49, between Downieville and Sierra You’ll find several campgrounds on the City, Loganville provides excellent stretch beween Bassetts and Yuba Pass camping facilities in an area with along Hwy 49, and there are also many ample shade with dense oak and campgrounds along Hwy 89 between fir trees. TheLoganville Highway Sierraville and Truckee. Groups of up to Photo by Mary Davey Visitor Center & RV Dump Station 50 people can be accommodated at the on the north side of the highway Prosser Group Campground, which offers Camping in Sierra County is a dream provides maps and basic RV swimming and cooking stoves as well as come true whether you’re a couple of amenities. There are also several RV parks space for trailers. friends, a family or even several families, in the county. a group on a company outing or a couple See page 26 for campground maps. out on a romantic trip. Over 70% of Sierra At the eastern end of Sierra City, the Wild County is National Forest, and there are Plum Campground provides camping many different types of campgrounds all right on the beautiful Haypress Creek across the county. with lots of hiking trails nearby. There is Small resorts tucked in among trees also excellent swimming, gold panning and lakes offer comfort and amenities Campgrounds range from single sites to for those wishing to forgo the and fishing available right from the large group areas with parking lots that “sleeping bag.” Resorts also provide campground as well as some amazing can accommodate horse trailers. Some different levels of services such as hiking trails. campgrounds are near rivers and streams; prepared meals and housekeeping. Leaving Hwy 49 at Bassetts, Gold Lake some are at the edges of alpine lakes; Road takes you into the heart of the Lakes and some are tucked into the forest or Basin Recreation Area and connects Sierra flowering meadows. [ GOLD MINING ]

Sierra County is open to many different methods of gold recovery from gold panning, river sluicing, metal detecting, underwater sniping, dry washing and much more. Camps and day use areas provide places to go recreational gold prospecting.

Make sure you are in a designated area for recreational gold prospecting and mining, and always respect posted mining claim signs. Remember to check with the local authorities and/or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) before prospecting or mining

Photo by James Larsen anywhere in Sierra County to be sure that you are not on a private Almost everywhere you turn in Sierra County you will find a rich gold claim. history of gold discovery (even modern day gold discoveries). You can have your own gold adventure on any level here; whether its visiting Some local resources to help you on your mining adventure are: historic sites, finding your own gold on the river or staking your own the Original Sixteen to One Mine in Alleghany, the Kentucky Mine gold claim. Museum and Big Mountain Mining Supply in Sierra City.

11 [ MOUNTAIN BIKING ]

Trail and offer heart-pounding climbs, beautiful ridge top scenery, and ripping descents. Bring your expert legs and lungs.

Chimney Rock, one of the most scenic trails in the area, reaches 7200' and can be shuttled or pedal from Downieville. From the top of Chimney Rock, Empire Creek Trail, Rattlesnake Creek Trail or Herkimer Mine Trail, plunge you 4000' back to town.

The historic mining town of Forest City sits upon the Pliocene Ridge and offers a network of singletrack, cross-country trails that are Once the snow melts in the Sierras, the sleepy Gold Rush town of mainly rideable from Forest City. Downieville transforms into a mountain bike mecca with world- class downhill and cross-country trails. Downieville has become The Downieville Classic is a multi-day mountain bike race and synonymous with seemingly endless singletrack trails running festival, which this years take place in August. There is a cross- through heavily forested ridge lines, canyons, and crystal clear country race that starts in Sierra City, traveling over the Sierra mountain streams and rivers. Buttes, and down the trails into Downieville, and the following day is a downhill race on the famous Downieville Downhill. Lots With the steep and rocky terrain surrounding the Downieville area, of activities take place during the festival, including a River jump none of the singletrack trails are beginner trails. However, there are competition, live music and bike expo and street fair. multiple dirt roads in the County for those who lack the technical skills for the singletrack trail system. All trails are multi-use and Downieville’s two bike shops, Yuba Expeditions and Downieville maintained by local bike shops through volunteer trail work. Outfitters offer shuttle service toPacker Saddle and rental bikes. Remember bike etiquette and yield to other users. ownieville Outfitters also offers guided rides.

The 14 mile, 4000' descent of the world-famous Downieville For great road riding, the Sierra Valley offers unsurpassed beauty Downhill starts at Packer Saddle with Sunrise Trail linking up and never-ending stretches of beautiful meadows, wetlands with with Butcher Ranch Trail, a 150-year-old mining trail set on steep uncountable numbers of bird species, free-range cattle and ranches single track terrain with rock gardens and smooth sections of lush that have been active since the Gold Rush. The annual Sierra Valley trail. Then the decision is whether to take Third Divide, a super- Metric Century, the Tour de Manure, starts and ends in Sierraville. fast, smooth section of singletrack through the forest, or Second This ride is a benefit for Sierraville Fire & Rescue. More info at Divide with its steep, rolling singletrack sierravillefireandrescue.com/biketour.html. along Pauley Creek. Next is Upper First Divide, an old mining flume following Lavezzola Creek, which links to Lower First Divide Trail following Pauley Creek and dropping into Downieville. Pauley Creek, Big Boulder, and Lavezzola Creek Trails are alternate singletrack trails, which can be ridden from Packer Saddle. Traversing and extra pedaling pays off with fast, narrow trails and numerous rock gardens.

North Yuba and North Yuba Connector Trails flow downriver for 14 miles and can be ridden in either direction from Downieville or from Indian Valley. The cross-country singletrack trails challenge with equal climbs and descents. Halls Ranch and Fiddle Creek Trail run adjacent to the North Yuba

All photos by Darby Hayes

12 [ WILDLIFE ]

Sierra County is home to many mammals such as black bear, foxes and raccoons. There are also mountain lions and coyotes present but not so visible. It’s important to remember this is truly a wild area and to always be aware of your surroundings whether you’re taking a walk along a trail or hanging out by the river. Among other critters there are plenty of rattlesnakes, so be careful when out hiking, and never put a hand over something above you where you can’t see what’s there. Be especially aware when you travel with a dog. Photo by James Larsen In the spring, the Downieville deer herd moves to the higher elevations to fawn. Sierra Valley, in addition to the ranch cattle, is also home to Nevada mule deer. Antelope Valley is an excellent place to observe deer fawning areas. If you see a lone fawn, please don’t touch it. Its mother is nearby. The Smithneck Creek area off Smithneck Road travels through extensive aspen groves with scenes of beaver activity—dams, stick lodges and beaver-logged timber. Photo by Mike Warner

The San Francisco State Sierra Nevada ecological diversity of life through the study flora and fauna. Learn about fungi, birds, Field Campus is located a short distance of the many Sierra Nevada ecosystems by drawing, sketching & painting, natural east of Bassetts. The Field Campus is means of education, research and applied history, ecology and much more. More info: dedicated to promoting an understanding ecology. They provide a large number of www.sfsu.edu/~sierra/Courses.html and appreciation of geology and the summer classes open to the public spanning

[ WILDFLOWERS ]

Due to the elevation, Sierra County provides one of the longest seasons for wildflower viewing inCalifornia . In spring, dogwood blooms profusely along the banks of rivers and massive patches of monkey flowers invade the wet seeps of canyon walls. Scotch broom adds brilliant patches of yellow. Summer provides an abundance of flowers and in the fall the dogwood puts on a second display of fiery orange and deep pink. When the snow melts, the Lakes Basin area abounds in a variety of wildflowers. Orange masses of lilies bloom in the wet creek drainages and wild azaleas are scattered about the hillsides. At the summit of Yuba Pass, magenta penstemon and lacy white yampa decorate the landscape. In the marshy areas, marigolds, elephant heads, corn lilies and several species of monkey flowers flourish in the spring sun.

In Sierra Valley, fields of blue & orange flowers flow with the breeze during springtime. Along the waterways, many marshland plants and several species of buttercups paint a picture of color & serenity. Photo by Mary Davey

13 [ HIKING & BACKPACKING ]

Easy to extreme level hiking trails abound as it makes it way towards Bullards Bar. Loves Falls are spectacular and a must for in Sierra County. Always bring a map & You’ll pass through an old miners camp at Sierra City visitors as it’s a nice and easy water! In the Plicoene Ridge area, most Shenanigan Flat. The River Trail, starting walk from Hwy 49 just east of town on a of the country around the towns is quite at the parking lot behind the courthouse leaf covered woodsy path. rugged and undeveloped with few groomed in Downieville is an incredibly beautiful trails, but the historic Henness Pass Road hike along the rushing river, with several The Wild Plum Loop Trail starts near the provides for hiking for the adventurous. swimming holes along the way. Wild Plum campground and meanders alongside Haypress Creek through riparian West of Downieville in the River Canyon The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) winds itself hardwood communities that provide a rich area, a fully accessible trail passes gently through Sierra County near Sierra City. It birding experience. through 500 ft of terrain from the Fiddle crosses Haypress Creek and then emerges Creek Campground to the North Yuba at the North Yuba at Loves Falls, just a mile If you continue on the Pacific Crest Trail river, just off Hwy 49. The Saddleback or so north-east of Sierra City. Sierra City is northward as it crosses Hwy 49 near Loves Trail climbs up mountainous terrain to a popular stop-over for weary PCT hikers, Falls, it climbs in a series of switchbacks the Saddleback Lookout where spectacular a great place to stock up on provisions, do across the southwest face of the Sierra views can be seen and photographed. laundry and get a comfortable night’s sleep Buttes right above Sierra City providing an Canyon Creek trail provides level ground in a bed. magnificent view. As you get closer to the and a scenic path alongside the North Yuba top of the Sierra Buttes, the PCT provides

River Canyon Trail Map

14 an interesting trail detour, the Sierra Buttes easy walks to rigorous climbs through thick interpretive area on Henness Pass Road east Lookout Trail. Whether you are coming conifer forests. The Cottonwood Overlook of Hwy 89 between Sierraville and Truckee along the PCT from the south or north, or Trail is light to moderately difficult and explains the history of three different just parked your car at Packer Saddle, do provides panoramic views of the valley peoples who inhabited this beautiful not miss the Sierra Buttes Lookout. The in several places along the trail. The mountain meadow starting 2,000 years ago. hike there is steep and challenging, but Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail uses trail well worth the effort. There is an amazing markers and a corresponding brochure to viewing platform that runs all around the identify and describe trees and other plants lookout for 360º views. This is definitely on this easy walk. Dedicated hikers can not recommended for the faint of heart or climb the steep Badenaugh Trail up to the anyone with fear of heights! Babbit Peak Lookout for an outstanding panoramic view of parts of eastern The Lakes Basin offers many options for California and western Nevada. Mountain nice shorter walks along lakes. Sand Pond bikers and equestrians share this trail with Interpretive Trail shows the flora and hikers. The Jackson Meadows Reservoir area fauna of a riparian habitat and is accessible features the Woodcamp Creek Interpretive to wheelchairs. It provides a wonderful Trail, which provides an educational and experience for those who cannot hike the moderately difficult hike with 18 points typical mountain trail. of interest spelled out in a brochure. The Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed from the Trails in the Sierra Valley area range from Jackson Meadow trail head. The Kyburz Flat Photo by Mary Davey

The Lakes Basin Trail Map

15 [ FISHING ] Western Sierra County offers a variety of fishing experiences. With These are typically 3 the abundance of lakes in the Lake Basin Recreation Area, many to 5 weight waters. streams and the North Fork of the Yuba River, anglers have options. Spend a little time walking in to Saxsonia Lake for nice Rainbows If you have a 4WD, and Brookies. A short one mile four wheel drive to upper Tamarack a cruise down to Lake can yield cagey brook trout if you are patient. You can get into Gold Valley to Pauley Cut Throat trout after an intense hike off Hwy 49 up to Deadman Creek makes for a Lake. And if you are really adventurous, there’s the descent to great day trip and Young America Lake for Brook Trout and a chance at hold-over the Brook Trout are Golden trout from days of yore. spunky. The North Yuba River below Just want to get right to fishing? Then head out to one of the many Downieville will give lakes such as Packer, Sardine, Salmon and Gold that you can drive you some bruisers to, have boat ramps and are full of Rainbow and Brook Trout. Gold on occasion with Lake will also give up trophy Lake Trout if you know how! Many lake run fish over of these lakes are stocked on a regular basis and yield good takes. 10 pounds caught Check the CA DFG website for planting schedules. in the recent past. The Downie River and Lavezolla Creek are excellent fisheries and Bait and tackle can be found and at Sierra Hardware in Downieville, produce great action. Basically, if you see the indication of a year the Sierra Country Store in Sierra City, Bassets Station in Bassetts round stream on your map it will have at least wild Brook Trout in and at Sardine Lake Lodge. Sardine Lake Lodge also rents row boats all the shady holes. with electric motors and trolling night crawlers behind flashers on Sardine Lake is very productive. Our hatches are of the typical Sierra variety: Blue Winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, an occasional Green Drake, Little Yellow Sallies, Fly fishing is effective on all the lakes from the bank or with float Ants, Hoppers, Golden Stones and the usual mess of Caddis with tubes, but the streams and river are the real treat. The North Yuba an emphasis on October Caddis. There’s a fly box in Downieville at offers Rainbows, Brooks & Browns top to bottom and it is currently Sierra Hardware and in Bassets at Bassets Station. CA Licenses are open all year. All the small tributaries including Salmon Creek, available in Downieville at Sierra Hardware. Packer Creek, Haskell Creek & Sardine Creek are challenging, full of Brooks, Rainbows and an occasional Brown. You can’t go wrong As always check the CA DFG regulations to ensure you are in with a dry-dropper rig although indicator nymphing and streamers compliance and then spend a few days trying out our fisheries. You in the deeper pools and runs is more likely to get you into larger fish. won’t be disappointed.

[ BOATING ] The Lakes Basin Recreation area has dozens of lakes (some say at least 40!) and provide ample space for recreationists to enjoy solitude and comfort as well as fun and adventure.

Boating is restricted to small boats with small or no motors, though Gold Lake is big enough for sail boats and a full day of fun. Kayaking at the many lakes has become a great outdoor sport. Spend the day kayaking on the lake with a picnic on an island for a perfect day.

Best accessed from the Sierra Valley and Hwy 89, Jackson Meadows Reservoir is very popular and highly prized for fishing, swimming, It’s a great area to do hiking, fishing, motor boating, kayaking, camping, wildlife viewing, water skiing, jet skiing and sailing. There picnicking, wildlife viewing and more. There’s an an “in-basin” fleet are over 130 campsites, 5 group campsites & a disposal station of watercraft available to the public at no charge by courtesy of The available here. Nature Conservancy. As watercraft are one of the primary ways aquatic invasive species are introduced into waterways, providing Independence Lake, jointly managed by the Truckee Donner Land a strictly in-basin fleet gives the public recreation options while Trust and the Nature Conservancy, is open to the public from drastically reducing this risk. No boats, float tubes or paddlecraft 16 late May or June (depending on snow) until the end of October. from outside the Preserve are permitted. All photos by Mary Davey [ WHITEWATER SPORTS ]

Rafting or kayaging on the North Fork Tributary Whitewater Tours, a Sierra depending on the level of the rivers, and Yuba River, you travel through the heavily County Chamber member, is one of the even at lower flows, theNorth Yuba River forested Tahoe National Forest, on waters original companies who pioneered this river still offers exciting rafting in smaller boats. fed by the snow-melt from the majestic for commercial rafting in 1981. Tributary Whitewater Tours offers 1–4 day 8000+ peaks of the Sierra Buttes. rafting thrill trips on over 35 miles of river, During the spring snow melt, the river including the Maytag, Moss Canyon and Despite its proximity to the Bay Area, the provides great Class 4 and 5 whitewater Rossasco Ravine. North Fork Yuba river is an un-crowded rafting, and easier waters for beginners too. gem, with just 3 permitted outfitters. Kayaking can be done all summer long

Rivers, streams and lakes throughout the county provide Accessing the river is a little tricky in the town of Sierra City, but exceptional swimming. The North Yuba river provides many there are plenty of places to get to the river outside of town and excellent swimming holes all along Hwy 49. The swimming hole by many swimming holes nearby. One of the best is by Wild Plum the Rocky Rest Campground bridge is one of the best, but it’s a well Bridge on Haypress Creek on the way to Wild Plum Campground, known secret so you probably won’t have it to yourself. There are and there are several additional swimming holes along Haypress plenty of other ones to discover. Pull over where it’s safe and explore Creek on the way towards the campgrounds. the river. There is also a great swimming hole where the Downie River meets the Yuba River in the heart of Downieville, though you’ll Another great place to swim is by Loves Falls, just east of Sierra have competition with eager fishermen. City. There are also plenty of places to stop along the river between Downieville and Sierra City or eastward towards the Lakes Basin. Or, get to know a local and maybe they’ll show your their favorite spot!

In the Lakes Basin Recreation Area there are over 100 lakes & ponds and almost all of them are as made for swimming. Unspoiled lakes reflecting theSierra Buttes will let you both have fun & relax.

On the eastern side of the County, Jackson Meadows Reservoir is very popular and highly prized for water sports. There are over 130 campsites, 5 group campsites and a disposal station available here. This area is best accessed from the Little Truckee Summit at Highway 89. [ SWIMMING ]

17 All photos by Mary Davey [ SNOW SPORTS ] Winter is a great time to explore the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. All over Sierra County winter trails for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers wind through valleys and hills and around beautiful alpine lakes. Miles of groomed roads and trails offer excellent cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Bassetts Station at the intersection of Hwy 49 and Gold Lake Road is a favorite staging area for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. It is complete with a general store, cafe, restrooms and gas station. Gold Lake Road is the main access route to many miles of trails. The trip to Graeagle in Plumas County, through the Lakes Basin from Bassetts, is a favorite among local snowmobilers. Yuba Pass Snow Park, 13 miles north-east of Sierra City, accesses trails that reach the Little Truckee Summit staging area, Jackson Meadows reservoir and Bassetts staging area, traveling through the woods on forest service roads. Lunch Creek Trail is a cross-country skiing only trail. Tubing, sledding, snowshoeing and snow camping round out the winter fun in this large snowpark facility. Snowpark permits are required. Buy them online at http://ohv. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1233

Sierra Buttes Snowbusters snowmobile club holds monthly meetings in the winter and hosts numerous events through the season, such as group rides on weekends including a dinner ride to Sierraville. The annual Spaghetti Feed raises money for scholarships which are awarded to graduating seniors from Downieville High School and members’ families each year.

The Little Truckee Summit area located between Sierraville and Truckee on Hwy 89 provides many winter trails, restrooms and plenty of Photo by Mary Davey parking. From here you can follow groomed trails up to the Gold Lakes Recreation Area via Yuba Pass.

There is also excellent cross-country skiing on Henness Pass Road east of Hwy 89, the Wheeler Loop traversing the Kyburz Flat area, an area with no snow-mobiles allowed. The Treasure Mountain Loop in the Little Truckee Summit area provides groomed trails for both snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Other groomed trails in this area include the Pass Creek Loop, which leads to Jackson Meadows Reservoir and the Prosser Creek Connection Trail, which travels from the Summit along Prosser Creek downhill into Nevada County, where it ends near Prosser Lake. Photo by Mary Davey

18 Photo by Mary Davey Photo by Dave Keyes [ OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES ] With so much of the county undeveloped Service has a map of the area (approx. 70% is National Forest) Sierra titled From Gold to Silver— County is an off-road person’s playground. The Comstock Connection, a Explore, but please be careful with our Historic Driving tour of the land, and only drive on legal trails. Henness Pass Road.

Just northwest of Downieville Chimney In the Sierra City and Lakes Rock, Fir Top and Poker Flat are three great Basin recreation area there Photo by Mary Davey OHV, 4-wheel drive and dirt bike routes. are many off-road trails Chimney Rock goes by the Saddleback popular with 4-wheel Lookout and is exceptional for bikes, as is drivers, including the Sierra the Poker Flat trail. With a trail-rated SUV, Buttes trail which runs from some experience driving difficult back- the most scenic transfer country, time to spare and a picnic with you station in California (Sierra you can visit the ghost-towns of Poker Flat City’s), to the Sierra Buttes and Howland Flat, crossing Canyon Creek Lookout parking lot and on the way to Lost Sierra’s La Porte. then on to Packer Saddle, traversing the southwestern The Lafayette Ridge OHV Trail near face of the Buttes with

Alleghany leads adventurers through breathtaking views. Don’t Photo by Mary Davey heavy brush that gradually opens up to a miss the actual lookout, a panoramic view of the Middle Yuba River. short (if steep) hike from the trails pass through a variety of terrain Many of the off-road vehicle trails in this parking lot. There is an amazing viewing and offer fishing, wildlife viewing and area were once the trails of miners, traders platform that runs all around the lookout exceptional scenery. The area around Gold and mule teams. You can drive Henness for 360º views. Not recommended for Lake is a favorite for ATVs and in the winter Pass Road from Camptonville to Verdi. anyone with fear of heights. Don’t forget snow-mobilers. 4-wheel drive, a detailed map, compass your camera! and dedicated map reader is strongly In the Sierra Valley, The Bear Valley Loop near is 18 miles of recommended. It links the southern part of The Lakes Basin Recreation Area has OHV Trail Sierraville the county together from east to west and numerous off-road vehicle or 4-wheel drive pure exhilaration and scenic beauty. The has historical sites along the way. The Forest trails from moderate to most difficult. The trail is open late spring to fall.

19 Photo by Dave Keyes River Canyon Sierra Buttes Lakes Basin

goodyears bar • Downieville LOGANVILLE • SIERRA CITY BASSETTS • GREEN ACRES • LAKES

DOWNIEVILLE Sierra City Bassetts 49 Wines. 200 Main St. Offering exceptional Big Springs GardenS & restaurant. Bassetts Station. A historic business selection & value & memorable wine 32613 Hwy 49. 10am–4:30pm Weds thru located at the gateway to the Lakes tasting. Weds–Mon, Noon ‘til close. 289- Sun Mid-June thru Sept. Acknowledged Basin Recreational Area, providing a 2782 as a world class garden, incredible general store, cafe, gas, propane & motel outdoor dining at water’s edge. 862-1333. accommodations. 862-1297; bassetts- DOWNIEVILLE MOUNTAIN BAKERY 105 bigspringsgardens.com station.com Commercial St. Baked goods & lunch. In Season: Mon-Fri 7am–3pm; Sat-Sun Herrington’s Sierra Pines Resort. The Lakes 8am–3pm. Out of Season: most weekdays: 104 Main St. AAA approved fine dining Gold Lake Lodge. Rustic mountain 7:30am–10am & Noon–2pm; most restaurant & full service bar. Fresh trout lodge in the heart of the Lakes Basin with weekends closed. Open all year. 289-6007; from our own pond, Certified Angus Beef restaurant open to the public. Hearty downievillemountainbakery.com & a full menu with daily specials. Breakfast meals. Mid-June to mid-Sept. 836-2350; & dinner & a fantastic view of the Sierra goldlakelodge.com grubstake saloon. 315 Main St. aka The Buttes & meadow. Serving Sierra County for Steak House. “Come in a stranger, leave 45 years. Mid-May– mid-Oct. 862-1151 or Packer Lake Lodge. Packer Lake as a friend.” Great food, decor & a casual 800-682-9848; herringtonssierrapines.com Resort is a seasonal resort with 14 cabins, atmosphere. Fantastic steaks, burgers, a restaurant, and boats located in the National Forest Land on Packer Lake. Dog

FOOD & DRINK pasta dishes, chicken & fresh seafood: Mountain Creek Restaurant at the friendly. Open May–Oct. 862-1221; winter prepared in the old school way. Something Buckhorn. 225 Main St. “The one with for everyone with 12 micro brews on tap the Creek & waterfalls running through 650-649-8076; packerlakelodge.com & really good wines. Dinner specials every the garden.” Delicious home cooked nite. Family owned & run, children & dog meals. Garden dining when weather Sardine Lake Resort. Fine dining friendly—just a wonderful place to dine. permits. Inside dining by the fireplace also in a beautiful lakeside setting. Filet Groups, special events, parties. Open for available. Breakfast, lunch & dinner with Mignon, rack of lamb, seafood, chicken dinner at 3pm, 6 days/week. Lunch Fri– a full bar. Available for events. 862-1171; & 1 or 2 nightly specials. Reservations Sun. Dog friendly. 289-0289 mountaincreekrestaurant.com requested. Dining room closed Mon. & Tue. Mid-May to mid-October. 862-1196; sardinelakeresort.com LA COCINA DE ORO TAQUERIA. Main Street Old Sierra City Hotel. 212 Main St. next to Wells Fargo. aka Feather’s place. Historic miners hotel. Home cooked meals, Incredible food, beer & wine, great patio classic bar & down home service and dining on deck overlooking the Downie ambiance. A historic stop for visitors for SIERRA Valley River. 289-3584 decades. Open all year. 862-1300 CALPINE • SIERRAVILLE • Loyalton

St. Charles Place. 101 Commercial St. If Sierra Country Store. 213 Main St. SIERRAVILLE you’re looking for small town entertainment Smack dab in the heart of town. Offer Sierra Hot Springs. A non-profit retreat this is a great place to soak up the local everything from hearty breakfast burritos & workshop center at the cusp of Sierra atmosphere while enjoying your favorite & fresh deli sandwiches to mouth-watering Valley. Offering day use, historic overnight cocktail. Open all year. 289-3237 cheeseburgers & pizzas. Stop by for all your accommodations, camping, massage & spa needs. ATM, WiFi, Laundromat. Featuring treatments & organic meals. Open all year. a webcam on our website. Open all year. 994-3773; sierrahotsprings.org 862-1560; sierracountrystore.com The Sierra County Chamber of Commerce thanks the following Sorracco’s Saloon. 203 Main St. The oldest building on main street (circa 1851). individuals for their support: Mountain Messenger. 313 The John Sorracco Hotel was established Main St. California’s oldest Mary Davey in the 1880s. In 1949, Sorracco’s grandson Mary Ervin weekly newspaper. 289-3262; Buddy Zerga & Walter Loffmark reopened [email protected] Robert Eshleman as the Zerloff Hotel which closed in 1990. Mike & Karen Galan The present owners re-opened the bar as Sierra County Prospect. Patty Hall Sorracco’s Saloon in 2001. A great selection com. All things Sierra Cheryl & Louie Madrid of fine wine, spirits & micro brews ready County, online. 448-9092; Jon Peek, DVM for you to enjoy in the bar, on the patio or SierraCountyProspect.com Bill & Norma Reece on the covered front porch. Open all year. NEWS Dog friendly. 862-1130

20 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. See www.sierracountychamber.com for more information available for help with other small water River Canyon companies. Member of California Water Sierra county goodyears bar • Downieville Association. 800-446-6225 JONES PRECISION LOCK. Since 1997. Serving DOWNIEVILLE Sierra City Waterworks, Inc. Water Lassen, Plumas & Sierra Counties. Licensed DISTRIcT ATTORNEY LARRY ALLEN. Sierra serving company. 273-6447 & bonded professional locksmith service: County District Attorney. 289-3269 autos, residences & commercial properties. Sierra Skies STORAGE. Storage Duplicate keys, rekeys, combination changes, D-Mac Engineering. Civil & structural units. Available all year. 862-1166; lock installs, lock work & safe work. 24hrs/ engineering, land surveying & architectural sierraskiesrvpark.com day 7 days/wk. 832-0647 or 832-4868 design. Registered engineer since 1978. Serving Sierra County since 1988. Open all Tom’s Snowmobile & service. 400 Main St. Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Co-OP. year. Dog friendly. 289-3129 For 25 years, a full-line, franchised Ski-Doo® 73233 State Hwy 70, Portola. Plumas-Sierra SERVICES dealer, specializing in high altitude, high REC & it’s subsidiaries provide reliable Sheriff John I. Evans. Sierra County performance set-up for the entire Summit electricity, internet, TV & cell-phone services Sheriff-Coroner. 289-3700 family. Service, parts & sales. Performance for fair & reasonable costs. 832-4261; www. improvements for muscle sleds, touring & psrec.coop Sierra Motor Co. 114 Main St. AAA cross-country sleds. The crew knows the Contract Towing — heavy duty & flat-bed. product & applications inside/out. Tom & his RON’s TOW SERVICE. Local owned since Excavating & dump truck service. Top soil, crew ride the trails & hills & are passionate 1970 serving Lassen, Plumas & Sierra landscape rock & boulders. Open all year. about snowmobiling & have an intimate Counties with services of Towing, Transport, 289-3230 knowledge of the machines & local terrain & Recovery, Accident, Emergency & Offroad trails. 862-1128; tomssnowmobile.com services for Autos, RVs & Trucks. Motorcyle Western Sierra Medical Clinic. 209 transport; bill most insurance carriers. Will Nevada St.. Community Health Center. haul misc. equipment. 24/7. 832-0647 or Medical, dental & behavioral health. 832-4868; PleaseTowMe.com Provider 24 / 7. Office Mon–Fri 8:30am– SIERRA Valley 5pm. Mobile clinic serving Camptonville & CALPINE • SIERRAVILLE • Loyalton Sierra County Fire Safe & Watershed surrounding area. Open all year. Medical: Council. Educational & motivational CALPINE 289-3298; Dental: 289-3199; wsmcmed.org demonstrations of hazardous fuel reduction Sierra Valley Realty. Kathy & Mike & watershed protection projects on private Freschi. Kathy has been an active Real Estate Western Sierra county senior center. property to reduce loss of life, property, agent for over 18 years. The family has 749 Main St. Lunch served Thursdays. watershed & other natural resources to lived in Calpine for 24 years & their three Information & services available on request. catastrophic wildfires. Economic incentives youngest children attended Sierra County Open all year. 289-1235 & assistance for the protection of watershed Schools. Sierra Valley Realty knows Sierra & for the reduction & utilization of County. Open all year. 994-3788; svreal.com Yuba River Storage. 20 White Way. Storage hazardous fuels & create employment & parking in the heart of Downieville. Loyalton opportunities for citizens & businesses. Available all year. 289-0402 East Sierra Valley Chamber of scfswc.com Commerce. Here to help Sierra Valley Wells Fargo Bank. 326 Main St. Full businesses achieve your business goals. 993- Sierra County LAND TRUST. With a goal to service bank. ATM. Open all year. Dog 4686; eastsierravalleychamber.com preserve environmental & recreational assets friendly. 289-3204 and important open space areas for public sierra work connection/Alliance for use. Funded by grants & private donations. Workforce Development, Inc. 306 First Focus on the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin where Sierra Buttes St. Regional nonprofit providing workforce we own 1525 acres of land managed for development & human resource services; public use including Young America Lake, LOGANVILLE • SIERRA CITY dedicated to enhancing the quality of life Volcano Lake, frontage on Upper & Lower throughout our communities, assisting Sardine Lakes, portions of Packer Saddle & SIERRA CITY businesses, organizations & job seekers the Lookout trail to the Sierra Buttes, the Jan Koettel Realty. 221 Main St. In with their pathways to success. 993-4295; start of the Downieville Downhill trail & a the Historic Masonic Building. Serving aworkforce.org large expanse of the face of the Sierra Buttes. the greater Sierra City area, along with 265-5433; sierracountylandtrust.org Downieville & Greene Acres. Real Estate Gary Steingrebe, CPA LTD. 701 Main St. Broker & Notary Public. Open all year. Dec Accounting & bookkeeping services. Open Sierra County Realty. 233-A Mill St, Grass – Feb by apt. 862-9009; jk-realestate.com all year. Dog friendly. 993-1139 Valley. From mountain tops to river banks, we sell it all. For old fashioned service! 272- R.R. Lewis small water company. CA Lee D. Walker, D.D.S. 703 Main St. 8073; sierracountyrealty.com Public Utility water since 1975 serving Comprehensive Family Dentistry. Open all Eastern Sierra City. CA D2 Licensing year. 8am–5pm Mon–Thurs. 993-4728 21 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. See www.sierracountychamber.com for more information Downieville Library. Native Daughters Wells Fargo Bank. 326 Main St. Full Pliocene Hall. Open all year Mon. 9–1, Thu. 12–4 service bank. ATM. Open all year. Dog Ridge friendly. 289-3204 downieville lions club. A volunteer Alleghany • Forest City service organization promoting the Yuba ExpeditionS/downieville welfare of organizations & members of our classic. Mountain Bike shuttle, bikeshop, Alleghany community. Meets on 2nd & 4th Mondays. annual mountain bike festival; 289-3010; Underground Gold Miners Museum. yubaexpeditions.com In the gold mining town of Alleghany. No admission fee. Educational & fun, the E Clampus Vitus Major William Downie Chapter 1849. The Ancient & Honorable museum touches on the topics of & show Order is a fraternal organization dedicated exhibits about local history, geology & gold to the study & preservation of the history SIerra Buttes mining, including tales of underground of California, in particular that of the LOGANVILLE • SIERRA CITY gold miners. View videos that tell the Mother Lode & gold mining regions of history of hard rock mining & document Sierra City the state. Sierra County is known as the recent history at the Sixteen to One Mine. BIG mountain mining suppLY. 227 Main birthplace & cradle of Clamperdom. 925- The gift shop features gold laced quartz St. Retail store providing parts & services 370-8329; downie1849.com specimens & jewelry from the Sixteen to small scale miners & prospectors. to One Mine as well as souvenirs, books, Gold mining adventures & free gold Sierra BUTTES TRAIL STEWARDSHIP maps & t-shirts. Open seasonally. Dog panning lessons! Dog friendly. 354-5269; (SBTS). Dedicated to the preservation friendly. 287-3330; undergroundgold.com bigmountainmining.com of trails & the access to those trails for all, in & around the Sierra Buttes. Big Springs Gardens & restaurant. Restore & enhance the trails in an 32613 Hwy 49. Open 10 am–4:30 pm Wed. River Canyon environmentally sensitive & ecologically thru Sun. during the summer season mid- responsible fashion, by using low impact & goodyears bar Downieville June thru Sept. Acknowledged as a world aesthetically considerate practices to reduce class garden, it’s open for garden viewing, goodyears bar erosion & watershed contamination, so that hiking trails & incredible outdoor dining at goodyears bar museum. 525 Toll they can withstand an increasing number water’s edge. 862-1333. bigspringsgardens. Bridge Rd. The museum displays, collects, of recreational users. sierratrails.org com preserves & interprets objects & materials pertinent to an understanding of Sierra Sierra county arts council & the Kathy Chow Photography. Color images County History. Features 4 Exhibits about yuba theatre. Home of Sierra Turnpike primarily comprised of nature-based Native Americans, the Chinese Influence; Players, & offices of Sierra County Arts abstracts & intimate landscapes. Available the Old School House & Mining. Open Council. Music, theatre, dance, school at The Gallery in Sierra City. 862-1468 weekends, starting July 6th through Labor plays & film. The Banff Mountain Film SHOPPING & ACTIVITIES SHOPPING Day weekend. 289-3297; goodyearsbar.com Festival World Tour has three showings Fox Parlor gifts & goods. 221 Main each April. Open all year. 289-9822. St. Handmade gifts & goods handcrafted sierracountyartscouncil.org Downieville in the USA. Handmade items by crafters 49 Wines. 200 Main St. Beer and wine: & artists locally & nationwide. Clothing, Sierra Hardware. 305 Main St. General offering an exceptional selection & value. accessories, paper goods, jewelry, ceramics, hardware & sporting goods. Hunting & Come experience a memorable wine glass, body & bath products, baby stuff, fishing licenses. Fishing tackle, sporting tasting. Weds–Mon, Noon til close. 289- dog collars, toys & snacks & unusual goods, camping supplies. Plumbing & 2782 gifts. Each item as unique as its creator electrical. Open all year. Dog friendly. — nothing mass produced. 862-1301; 289-3582 Downieville Community Hall. Rental. foxparlor.com 289-2745 Two Rivers Gallery. 310 Main St. Large Darby Hayes Fine Art Photography. riverside indoor/outdoor gallery offering Downieville Day Spa at La Sierra Limited Edition prints available in Sierra unique & handmade pottery, wood, Beauty Boutique. 309 Main St. Services City & galleries in Graeagle, Nevada City jewelry, books, garden sculpture, clothing for Women, Men & Children. Hair cutting, & Sacramento. Large format, fine art & shoes. 7 days a week, 10am–5pm. coloring, highlights, perms. Retreat facials, photographs of local & western landscapes Vacation rental upstairs. 289-2748 spa manicures, & pedicures, body waxing, & wildlife. 862-1550; darbyhayes.com airbrush tanning, massage. Bridal & special Tributary Whitewater Tours. Guided party service packages. Complete line of Herrington’s Sierra Pines Resort. 104 whitewater rafting on the North Fork Yuba professional products for home care. Hair Main St. Gift shop, game room & trout River & others in the Gold Country & care, nail care, skin care, make-up, bath & pond. Lodging & restaurant. Open mid- Lake Tahoe. 346-6812 or 800-672-3846; body & great gifts. Gift Certificates. Come May through mid-Oct. 862-1151 or 800- whitewatertours.com relax! Open all year. 289-3504 682-9848; herringtonssierrapines.com 22 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. See www.sierracountychamber.com for more information HighwaymenNORCAL Car Club. Host of THE gallery. 321 Main St. Art Featuring Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp. Your child the annual Original Big City Rod Run & local artists, crafters & photographers. will thrive at this non-competitive, team- Car Show held on September 20–21, 2013. Photographers include Kathy Chow, Dee based wilderness adventure summer camp 862-1560; highwaymennorcal.com Wallace & Darby Hayes among others. for 8–17 year olds. Mature, caring staff Alarge collection of photos as well as a ensures campers have fun, make friends, Kentucky mine historic park & variety of jewelry, ceramic, fabric, wood build self-confidence & gain nature museum/sierra county historical & fiber art. Summer only: Fri–Sun. appreciation! ACA accredited. 866-597- society. Hwy 49 a few miles east of Sierra 12–5pm & Mon 10am-2pm. 862-1188; 6617; highsierracamp.com City. Explore mining artifacts, Chinese sierracitygallery.com settler exhibit, stamp mill, photographs & more. Picnic facilities. Gift shop with Tom’s Snowmobile & service. SIERRA Valley prints, original art, native gold, artifacts & In business for 25 years, a full-line, jewelry. Books on area history, geology & franchised Ski-Doo® dealer, specializing CALPINE • SIERRAVILLE • Loyalton flora. Summer amphitheater concerts. Run in high altitude, high performance set-up Sierraville by the Sierra County Historical Society. for the entire Summit family. Service, Sierra Hot Springs. A retreat & Memorial Day–Labor Day, Wed–Sun from parts & sales. Performance improvements workshop center at the cusp of Sierra 10am–4pm. Tours of working stampmill, for muscle sleds, touring & cross-country Valley. Here, it is impossible to resist gold mine & miners cabin 11am & 2pm. sleds—the full range. The crew knows the the overwhelming sense of tranquility. 862-1310; sierracountyhistory.org product & applications inside/out. Tom The natural spring water is as smooth as & his crew ride the trails & hills & are silk & the pools are a true experience. DavE keyEs photography. Using high passionate about snowmobiling & have Offering day use, historic overnight dynamic range photography & other an intimate knowledge of the machines accommodations, camping, massage & spa artistic techniques, Dave captures the & local terrain & trails. 862-1128; treatments & organic meals. 994-3773; nostalgic feelings of the Gold Rush era tomssnowmobile.com sierrahotsprings.org through his images of local communities & natural landscapes. Unique images RED PONY. 101 Main St. A collection bring out the inviting qualities of these of something unexpected, something historical towns & beautiful Sierra Lakes Basin unlikely & lots of unique treasures for vistas. Found in local shop & galleries, BASSETTS • GREEN ACRES • LAKES home decor, gifts & garden. May–Oct. Dave’s work makes a great way to Bassetts on Fri–Sun 9am– 3pm. Dog friendly. remember your visit to Sierra County. Bassetts Station. 100 Gold Lake Rd. A 906-2181 davekeyesphotography.com historic business located at the gateway to the Lakes Basin Recreational Area, My sisters cottage MASSAGE THERAPY. providing a general store, cafe, gas,

Main St. Massage Spa. Take time to relax & ACTIVITIES SHOPPING propane & motel accommodations. 862- & rejuvenate. Early morning & evening 1297; bassetts-station.com appointments are available to suit your time schedule, if you book early. When WANT TO BE you make your vacation reservation, book The Lakes INCLUDED IN THE your personalized massage. Open all year. Sardine Lake Resort. Open daily for 862-1505; mysisterscottage.com boat rentals, tackle & bait, coffee, off-sale visitors GUIDE? beer & cold drinks until 6pm. Mid-May to Renew your Sierra County Sierra City Community Hall. Rental. mid-Oct. 862-1196; sardinelakeresort.com Chamber membership by Open all year. 862-1580 October 15th, 2013 If you are interested in becoming a Sierra Sierra City Library. Main St. Open all Yuba Pass County Chamber member and/or wish year Tue, Thu & 2nd Sat of the month sf state University sierra nevada to place a business card ad in the Visitors 11:30–3:30. 862-0210 field campus. Hwy 49 just east of Bassetts. Offers 2- to 8-day courses in natural Guide next year, please sign up, renew or download an application online at www. Sierra Country Store. 213 Main St. history & art, summer-time. Tent cabins sierracountychamber.com no later than Smack dab in the heart of town. Stop by or space for one’s own tent for students, October 15th, 2013. for all your Grocery–Meats–Produce– plus 2 sit-down meals & a sack lunch each Beer–Wine–Liquor–Camping–Fishing– day of your stay. Run by SFSU’s College Applications are also available at the Ice–Deli–Catering–Gifts & more– needs. of Science & Engineering. Over 50 years Sierra Country Store and Jan Koettel ATM, WiFi, Laundromat & up to old, on the banks of the North Fork of Realty. For questions: Sierra County the minute weather station available. the Yuba in the TNF. 862-1230; sfsu. Chamber (1-800-200-4949) Featuring a webcam on our website. Open edu/~sierra/ all year. 862-1560; sierracountrystore.com 23 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. See www.sierracountychamber.com for more information amenities; sleeps up to 4. Call for rates & Buckhorn Upstairs. Main St. Vacation River Canyon availability. Available year round. 289- apartment. Sleeps 6, full kitchen, dining goodyears bar • Downieville 3357 or 265-4085; majordowniequarters. area, living room, TV, DVD, VCR. Deck com overlooking Main St. Restaurant & Bar below. By night or week. Available year Goodyears bar Riverside Inn. 206 Commercial St. On the round. Dog friendly. 862-1171 helm’s ST. CHarles Inn 459 Mountain Downie River. 11 units with balconies House Rd. Small B & B in a peaceful rural overlooking the river, some with kitchens. Buttes Resort. Main st. Vacations are community. A relaxing atmosphere to In-room movies. WiFi. Comfortable expensive, why take a chance? Tastefully unwind in. Take a leisurely walk by the beds. Hypo-allergenic laundry products. appointed cabins, fully equipped with river or read a book under the trees. Enjoy 4 fireplaces. Bike station. Continental kitchens & unparalleled views of the Yuba the peace & serenity of nature. Renovated breakfast. Patio, BBQ & picnic area on site. River. Best rates in Sierra City. 800-991-

LODGING 1864 stage stop. Inn has 4 rooms, 3 w/ Open all year. Dog friendly. 289-1000 or 1170; www.buttesresort.citymax.com river view. Home cooked breakfast. WiFi. 888-883-5100; downieville.us Private river access. No pets. Open all Herrington’s Sierra Pines Resort. year. Reservations required Sept. thru June. Sierra Streamside Cabins. Hwy 49, 5 miles 104 Main St. AAA approved. Covered 289-3289 east of Downieville. A collection of 6 rustic- balconies overlooking the Yuba River with chic cabins right on the river upstream of a spectacular illuminated waterfall. 50 Downieville Downieville. Cabins range from 5 Bdrs to 1 acres of forest land with 4,000 ft. private Carriage House Inn. 110 Commercial Bdr. Fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, river frontage. Satellite TV & HBO. Some St. Lovely setting on the Downie River, 8 living space, area for campfires, etc. Dog rooms with full kitchens & fireplaces. Free charming rooms with TVs. Continental friendly with a refundable deposit (always Internet station & limited WiFi. Gift shop breakfast. Private BBQ, patio & gazebo on refunded provided the dog has not chewed & game room. Trout pond with over 2,000 the river. Bike storage. WiFi. Open all year. down the cabin & the owners have picked Rainbow Trout. Beautiful picnic meadow Dog friendly. 289-3573 or 800-296-2289; up outside after the pet.) 289-3379; with BBQ & horseshoes for guests. Serving downievillecarriagehouse.com SierraStreamsideCabins.com Sierra County for 45 years. Dog friendly. Open May–Oct. 862-1151 or 800-682- Downieville CreekSide Cottage. Nestled Two Rivers VACATION RENTAL 9848; herringtonssierrapines.com into a wooded bank overlooking pristine & gallery. 310 Main St. Vacation waterfalls. On 12 acres with 1/2 mile of rental. Gallery downstairs. 289-3520; My sisters cottage. Main St. Vacation creek frontage & 400 ft of the North Fork downievillecreeksidecottage.com rental. Motor Lodge Rooms, Studio of the Yuba River. Kitchenette, fireplace Cottage with kitchen & the Bigelow & patio with gas BBQ. Large screened-in Willoughby’s on the River House. WiFi. No Pets. BBQ picnic area porch. Max. 2 people. 2-night min. Adults Vacation Rental. 171 River St. Most & evening campfire available. When you Only. No smoking or pets. 289-3520; beautiful residential view on the Yuba. make your vacation reservation, book your downievillecreeksidecottage.com Accommodates up to 8 adults. Available personalized massage at our spa. Open all year round. 289-3573 or 800-296-2289; year. 862-1505; mysisterscottage.com Downieville River Inn. 121 River St. WilloughbysOnTheRiver.com On the Yuba River, just across the Court O’Gara-Hayes Vacation Rental. 7 bdr, House Bridge, still with-in walking distance 4 ba. Sleeps 12. Large livingroom, dining to the shops & restaurants. A variety of room, large deck overlooking lawn & Yuba rooms & cottages, some with kitchens. Sierra Buttes River. Large parking area & very private. Bed & Breakfast services, a sauna, heated LOGANVILLE • SIERRA CITY 862-1531 swimming pool, picnic area & BBQs, WiFi & in-room movies. Grounds large enough Loganville Old Sierra City Hotel. 212 Main St. for family reunions & large events. Open Kokanee Kabins. New Ownership & Historic miners hotel. Comfortable lodging, all year. 289-3308 or 800-696-3308; Management! Clean, quiet & comfortable home cooked meals, classic bar & down- DownievilleRiverInn.com units with kitchens. Open all year. Dog home service & ambiance. A historic stop friendly. 862-1287 for visitors for decades. Open all year. Lure Resort. Hwy 49, 1 mile east of 862-1300 Downieville. On the Yuba River. 11 Sierra City housekeeping cabins & 8 log camping Alibi Vacation Rental. 101 Butte Ave. sierra city Cozy Cabin. Butte Alley. cabins. Open all year. Dog friendly. 289- Treat yourself to an affordable yet luxurious 1860s cabin. 3 Bdr 1 Ba. Fully equiped 3465 or 800-671-4084; lureresort.com get away in historic Sierra City. New & furnished. Sleeps up to 6. New and construction home: 2 Bdr, 2 Ba, sleeps up to very comfortable mattresses. TV/DVD Major Downie Quarters. 501 Main St. 6. Full kitchen & laundry. Available year players. Large deck overlooking town and 1 bd & 1 ba vacation home rental. Full round. 888-6385; www.vrbo.com/300673 mountain views, extra large lot with lots

24 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. See www.sierracountychamber.com for more information of room for parking. Plenty of outdoor Gourmet breakfast. The place for peace & furniture. Pets by request only. 383-3292; privacy. Bon Appetit Magazine says: “Out of sierracitycozycabin.com the way...but out of this world.” Memorial Day to end of October. 862-1530 or 800- sierra city house. 126 Butte St. 2 blocks 862-1530; hicountryinn.com from center of town, this private house on a 1 acre lot has a small brook that runs year- IRISHMANS CASTLE VACATION RENTAL. round past a large hardwood deck. 3 Bdr Green Acres. 3500 sq ft house sleeps 10+ & 1.5 Ba. Sleeps 6 to 8 comfortably with 3 offers luxury amenities at a family friendly queen beds & 2 twins. Sounds of the creek price Only 5 miles from downtown in every room. Back yard patio with BBQ. Sierra City. Off street parking in summer, WiFi. 707-338-6901; sierravacation.com snowmobile access only in winter.

Available year round. 707-548-1413; LODGING Sierra Skies RV Park. On the Yuba River in irishmanscastle.com Sierra City with views of the Sierra Buttes & private access to the river. All sites are The Lakes Gold Lake Lodge Rustic mountain lodge full hook-ups. Daily, weekly & monthly . with 12 cabins located in the heart of the rates. 29 units. Year-round storage Lakes Basin. Hearty meals included. Open units available. Dog friendly. 862-1166; mid-June to mid-September. $100 to $200 a sierraskiesrvpark.com THANK YOU night. 836-2350; goldlakelodge.com Sierra County is not just wells fargo building vacation rental. blessed with incredible nature Packer Lake Lodge. Packer Lake 321 Main St. 4 Bdr, 4 Ba in the historic Resort is a seasonal resort with 14 cabins, and scenery. We also have Wells Fargo building in the heart of town. a restaurant, and boats located in the some great photographers Large kitchen & living room. TV, laundry. National Forest Land on Packer Lake. Dog here to capture it. And this Rented by the week.Available year round. friendly. Open May–Oct. 862-1221; winter visitors guide would not be 862-1171 650-649-8076; packerlakelodge.com possible without the generous

WILD PLUM RIDGE CABIN. 205 Wild Plum donation of their work. We Sardine Lake Resort A small, family- Ridge Rd. View of the Sierra Buttes, walking . also use their photos to run resort, since 1941. On Lower Sardine distance to Haypress Creek, North Fork beautify the chamber website: Lake, at the base of the Sierra Buttes. 9 Yuba River & Pacific Crest Trail. Upstairs sierracountychamber.com housekeeping cabins. Restaurant closed bedroom loft with queen size bed. Living Mon & Tues. Cabins generally rent by the room with full size sofa bed with memory If you like what you see here week, Sat.– Sat. Mid-May to mid-Oct. Boats, foam mattress, propane fireplace, smaller or on our website, prints from fishing. 862-1196; sardinelakeresort.com bedroom with full size bed. Fully equipped most of the photographers are kitchen, 1 bath with shower. Gas grill on available locally in galleries redwood deck with view of Sierra Buttes. and stores. DVD & WiFi. Dog friendly. 862-1621; SIERRA Valley [email protected] CALPINE • SIERRAVILLE • Loyalton A HUGE thank you to:

Sierraville » Mary Davey » Dave Keyes Lakes Basin Canyon Ranch Resort. 622 Old Truckee Rd. Tranquil setting. 7 cabins with » Darby Hayes BASSETTS • GREEN ACRES • LAKES BASIN bathrooms, kitchens, porches. Fish from pond or stream. Open year round. Dog I would also like to thank Bassetts friendly. Office open 8am–8pm. 994-1033; James Larsen, Mike Warner Bassetts Station. 100 Gold Lake Rd. A canyonranchsierraville.com and Angie Giustina for so historic business located at the gateway generously sharing your to the Lakes Basin Recreational Area, Sierra Hot Springs/Globe Hotel. A photos with us. providing a general store, cafe, gas, propane non-profit retreat & workshop center & motel accommodations. 862-1297; at the cusp of Sierra Valley. Here, it is — Isabelle, the designer bassetts-station.com impossible to resist the overwhelming sense of tranquility. Offering day use, historic High Country Inn Bed & Breakfast. Hwy overnight accommodations, camping, 49 & Gold Lake Rd. Directly on the Yuba massage & spa treatments & organic meals. River. Private pond & a spectacular view 994-3773; sierrahotsprings.org of the Sierra Buttes. 4 luxurious rooms.

25 All phone numbers are area code 530 unless otherwise noted. [ CAMPING & PICNICKING ]

HIGHWAY 49

CAMPING & PICNICKING AREAS

1 Carlton Flat 8 indian Rock 2 Cal-Ida 9 Union Flat 3 fiddle Creek 10 loganville 4 indian Valley 11 wild Plum 5 rocky Rest 12 Sierra 6 Convict Flat 13 Chapman Creek 7 Ramshorn 14 Yuba Pass

15 snag Lake Campground SIERRA BUTTES & GOLD LAKE HIGHWAY 16 Packer Lake Picnic Ground 17 diablo Camping Area 18 Packsaddle Camping Area 19 berger Campground 20 sand Pond Picnic Ground 21 salmon Creek Campground 22 sardine Campground

HIGHWAY 89

23 Cold Creek Campground 24 Cottonwood Campground 25 Bear Valley Campground 26 Upper Little Truckee Campground 27 Lower Little Truckee Campground 28 Sagehen Campground

MAKE CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS AT WWW.RECREATION.GOV OR 1-877-444-6777. 26 RESERVATIONS ARE MANDATORY. is locted in Sierra County and follows Highway 49, the the Yuba “Mother Lode Highway,” a route rich with remnants of mining history including old stone cabins and River buildings, mining equipment and stamp mills that were used to crush gold-bearing quartz. The byway Scenic travels through the historic towns of Downievillle and Sierra City. Founded in 1859 and named for its By way first mayor, Major William Downie, Downievillle is considered the least changed of all the Gold Rush towns in California. Main Street still has wooden boardwalks and a charming riverside park that hosts a historic collection of old mining equipment. Sierra City, established in 1850, is another stop on the route. Enjoy Sierrra City’s hospitality and visit the Kentucky Mine Museum while traveling the scenic byway.

Explore All Year Long Time travel becomes reality along the Yuba River Scenic Byway. Join the ranks of countless people who have explored the Sierra Nevada over the centuries, including Native Americans, explorers and miners. Today’s trek is vastly easier, but visitors can still experience Gold Rush, immigrant and transportation history along this byway while taking in the beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities of the Tahoe National Firest.

The rugged Sierra Nevada posed considerable obstacles to earlier travelers, but today’s visitors enjoy a modern paved highway that provides year-round access to four seasons of outtdoor recreation and centuries of California history. You can enjoy the scenic byway in an afternoon or you can linger longer for more in- depth exploration. Food, lodging and visitors services are available in historical communicaties along the route. Native American tribes migrated between lower and higher Sierra elevations for thousands of years, but the first trans-Sierra crossing by Euro-Americans in 1844 accelerated change. With the 1849 discovery of gold, the Sierra foothills became a destination for thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich.

Detailed receration information including campground locations, hiking, biking, OHV, and equestrian trail locations as well as whitewater opportunities are available on the Tahoe National Forest recreation website at http://www.fs.usda.gove/recmaintahoe/recreation

27 28 29 For more information about events, where to play & stay or to live & work in Sierra County, see www.sierracountychamber.com

Quality Patient Care:

Medical care Dental services Behavioral health 209 Nevada Street Urgent care Downieville, CA 95936 Weight loss support

Medical: (530) 289-3298 We’re here for you. Dental: (530) 289-3199

30 31 32 33 34 Make Some Memories with an Old-Fashioned Sierra County Christmas Make it a family trip and cut Sierra Station Food Mart in sell fresh-cut Christmas trees your own Christmas tree in Loyalton or the Sierra Country at tree lots in both Downieville Sierra County! Pick up a tree- Store in Sierra City. and Sierra City. cutting permit at the Sierraville Ranger District Office (closed For those who’d rather For lodging, more info on weekends), the Sierraville buy their tree pre-cut, the and details see www. Service & Country Store, White’s Downieville Lions Club will sierracountychamber.com Check www.sierracountychamber.com for weather conditions Permits on sale beginning November 1st.

SIERRA CITY COMMUNITY HALL The Sierra City Community Hall is a log cabin style building built in the 40s by local residents. It has a full kitchen, a stage, movie screen and three bathrooms. The Community Hall seats 120 people for dinners with tables and chairs available. The hall’s rustic style provides a warm environment for weddings, parties, dances and business meetings. If interested in renting the building, please call Mary Jungi at 530-862-1580

35 SIERRA COUNTY LODGING REFERENCE GUIDE 1-800-200-4949 or www.sierracountychamber.com

eason L= LODGE BB = BED & BREAKFAST rea ooms ccess R A R= RESORT VH = VACATION HOME acility Incl. F H = HOTEL/INN RV = RECREATIONAL VEHICLE ll year ec R ental pa tay in S M = MOTEL TC = TENT CABINS S Fi i pen A C = CABIN ireplace aundry reakfast oat R andicap A TYPE OF UNIT# of Units/KitchenTV Pets OKF W L O RestaurantB Picnic/ B Pool/ Credit CardsMin. S H

800-296-2289 / a a a a a a a a The Carriage House Inn 530-289-3573 H 8 Downieville

Downieville Creekside Cottage 530-289-3570 C 1 a a a a Downieville Downieville Retreat 530-289-2780 VH 1 a a a a a Downieville

800-696-3308 / a a a a a a a a a a a Downieville River Inn & Resort 530-289-3308 R/C 15 Downieville

Helm’s St. Charles Inn 530-289-3289 BB 4 a a a a Goodyears Bar a a a a a a a

RIVER CANYON Indian Valley Outpost 530-289-3630 C 2 Indian Valley

800-671-4084 / a a a a a a a a The Lure Resort 530-289-3465 R 19 E. of Downieville

Major Downie Quarters 530-265-4085 VH 1 a a a a Downieville “R” Place 530-289-3188 RV 3 a Goodyears Bar

Indian Valley, Goodyears Bar, Downieville Goodyears Bar, Indian Valley, 800-296-2289 / a a a a a a River House 530-289-3573 VH 3 Downieville

888-883-5100 / a a a a a a a a a a Riverside Inn 530-289-1000 H 11 Downieville

Sierra Shangri-La 530-289-3455 C/BB 11 a a a a a a E.of Downieville Sierra Streamside Cabins 530-289-3379 C/RV 6/6 a a a a E. of Downieville Two Rivers Rental 530-289-3520 VH 3 a a a Downieville

800-296-2289 / a a a a a a a a Willoughby’s on the River 530-289-3573 VH 3 Downieville Alibi Vacation Rental 530-888-6385 VH 2 a a a a a a a a a Sierra City Buckhorn Upstairs 530-862-1171 H 1 a a a a a a a a a Sierra City

800-991-1170 / a a a a a a a Buttes Resort 530-862-1170 R 11 Sierra City

800-682-9848 / a a a a a a a a Herrington’s Sierra Pines 530-862-1151 R 21 Sierra City

Kokanee Cabins 530-862-1287 C 5 a a a a Loganville Loganville, Sierra City a a a a a a

SIERRA BUTTES My Sisters Cottage 530-862-1505 M/VH 4 Sierra City O’Gara-Hayes Vacation Rental 530-862-1531 VH 7 a a a a a a Sierra City a a a a a Old Sierra City Hotel 530-862-1300 H 5 Sierra City Sierra City Cozy Cabin 530-383-3292 VH 3 a a a a a a Sierra City Sierra City House 707-338-6901 VH 3 a a a a a a a a a Sierra City Sierra City Retreat 707-837-9297 VH 3 a a a a a a a a a Sierra City Sierra Skies RV Park 530-862-1166 RV 29 a a a a a Sierra City Sierra Solitude 510-222-4138 VH 3 a a a a a a Sierra City Wells Fargo Building Vacation Rental 530-862-1171 VH 4 a a a a a a Sierra City Wild Plum Cabin 530-862-1621 C 2 a a a a a a a Sierra City Yuba River Inn 530-862-1122 C 10 a a a a a Sierra City Bassetts Station 530-862-1297 M 3 a a a a a a a a a Bassetts Gold Lake Lodge 530-836-2350 L/C 10 a a a a a Lakes Basin

800-862-1530 / a a a a a High County Inn Bed & Breakfast 530-862-1530 BB 4 Bassetts

a a a a a a a Irish Man Castle 707-548-1413 C/VH 4 Green Acres

530-862-1221 L a a a a Packer Lake Lodge 650-649-8076 winter 14 Lakes Basin LAKES BASIN Salmon Lake Lodge 530-852-0874 TC 14 a a a a a a Lakes Basin a a a a a

Bassetts, Green Acres, Lakes Acres, Bassetts, Green Sardine Lake Resort 530-862-1196 R/C 9 Lakes Basin

Canyon Ranch Resort 530-994-1033 C 7 a a a a a Sierraville Country Cookin’ & Country Inn 530-993-1162 BB 3 a a Loyalton Golden West Saloon Rstr & Motel 530-993-4467 M 14 a a Loyalton Maddalena Ranch House 530-994-3554 VH a a a a Sierraville 36 Sierra Hot Springs & Globe Hotel 530-994-3773 BB 19 a a a a a a a a Sierraville

Loyalton, Sierraville Sierraville Motel & RV Park 530-994-3751 RV/M 6 a a a a a a a Sierraville SIERRA VALLEY SIERRA COUNTY TRAIL GUIDE

istance, roomed trails iking -Country ski nowmobiling iking Top elevation D X S G H B Equine OHV Easy Moderate Difficult rd. trip Henness Pass Road 4900 varies a a a a a a Lafayette Ridge Bike Trail 5700 30 mi a a a Lafayette Ridge OHV Trail 5 mi a a a RIDGE

Brandy City Pond Trail 3600 2 mi a a a a Chimney Rock Trail 6800 8 mi a a a a Devil’s Postpile Trail 6000 0.2 mi a a Empire Creek Trail 6800 5 mi a a a a Fiddle Creek Ridge Trail 4000 8 mi a a a a a a First Divide 3400 4 mi a a a a Halls Ranch Trail 4400 11 mi a a a a Lavezzola Creek 5400 7 mi a a a a a a RIVER CANYON North Yuba Trail 3000 15 mi a a a a Poker Flat OHV Trail 6 mi a a Red Oak Canyon OHV Trail 10 mi a a a a Second and Third Divide Trails 4400 7 mi a a a a a a

Haypress Creek Trail 5800 6 mi a a a PCT North to Loves Falls 5000 4 mi a a a PCT/Wild Plum Loop Trail 4800 2.5 mi a a a

SI E RRA Sierra Buttes Lookout via PCT 8600 5 mi a a a BUTTES

Chapman Creek Trail 6400 3 mi a a a a Haskell Peak Trail 8100 3 mi a a a a ASS

P Lunch Creek — Yuba Pass Ski Trail 6700 9 mi a a a a YUBA Yuba Pass area 6700 100 mi a a a a a a

Big Boulder 6200 3 mi a a a a a Butcher Ranch Trail 4300 8 mi a a a a a Deer Lake OHV Trail 6 mi a a Deer Lake Trail 7100 5 mi a a a Gold Lake Road 17 mi a a a a a a Gold Valley OHV Trails 15.6 mi a a a a a LAKES BASIN Lakes Basin Ridge Trail 6800 24 mi Packer Lake Trail 6400 11 mi a a a Pauley Creek Trail 4400 7 mi a a a a a Sand Pond Interpretive Trail 6000 0.8 mi a a Sardine Lakes Overlook 7100 6.4 mi a a a Buttes Lookout via Tamarack Lakes 8600 7 mi a a a Summit Lake OHV Trails 5 mi a a Tamarack Lakes Trail 7000 8.4 mi a a a a Upper Salmon Lake Trail 7100 4 mi a a a Upper Sardine Lake 6000 7 mi a a a a a a

Badenaugh Trail 8800 4 mi a a a a Bald Ridge Loop 6400 18 mi a a Bear Valley Loop OHV Trail 6600 18 mi a a Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail 5800 0.5 mi a a Little Truckee Summit OHV Trails 90 mi a a a a Little Truckee Summit Winter Trails 110 mi a a a a a a Mt. Lola Trail 9200 19 mi a a a a a a a

SIERRA VALLEY Overlook Trail 6100 1 mi Pass Creek Loop 6800 12 mi a a a Treasure Mountain Loop 7800 25 mi a a a Wheeler Loop 6400 5 mi a a William Creek/Gold Lake Trail 17 mi a a a a a Woodcamp Creek Interpretive Trail 6200 1 mi a a PO Box 436 1-800-200-4949 Sierra City, CA 96125 www.sierracountychamber.com

SIERRA COUNTY AT THE STATE FAIR July 12th – July 28st, 2013 at CAL EXPO in Sacramento

Look for our Sierra County Display. Be sure and stop by to vote Sierra County as your favorite county exhibit, for the People’s Award!

Sierra County Sheriff’s office, Downieville: 289-3700 Call 911 for all emergencies.

As remote and sparsely populated as Sierra training to keep current on their skills & County is, we have a great Volunteer base. certifications. Even part-time residents can join Volunteer Fire Departments are located in the fire department, stop by the local firehouse. Alleghany, Pike, Downieville, Sierra City, Sattley, Calpine, Sierraville & Loyalton. Many of At the sound of the siren, fire personnel the towns also have active Fire Auxiliaries which including EMT’s and First Responders show up, are constantly putting on functions to support seemingly out of nowhere to take care of you. the Fire Departments. So while vacationing or visiting the area, play Fire departments have ongoing training for the safe, but if faced with an emergency, rest assured, firefighters, and the EMT’s have continuous help is right around the bend. Design layout & by IsabelleEnglund-Geiger, Sierra Front cover City. Parlor, Fox photo by Mary Davey. Back cover photos by Mary Davey. Chamber logo by Kubly Design.