Tag Archives: mines

mine

California Mines

Gold Rush Country, Silver Mine, Copper, Tungsten Mines

California Mine Tours, Mining Towns, Historic Mining Camps, Regional Mining Districts

Columbia State Park
Columbia State Park

DESERT MINES & RAILWAYS

Moab, UTAH
Uraniam Mines & Recreation

desert mines cemetery
Cemetery @ Virginia City, NV

califrepublic

Historic State Parks related to Mining

Columbia State Historic Park
209-588-9128
Jackson, CA

(Sutter Gold Mine)

In 1945 California made this large mining camp a State Park in order to preserve the typical Gold Rush town, an example of one of the most colorful eras in American history. Today visitors can take a step back in time to experience life in Gold Rush era of the 1850’s and 60’s in California.

Gold Country California
Gold Rush Towns HIGHWAY 49

Empire Mine State Historic Park
530-273-8522
Grass Valley, CA

Empire Mine State Historic Park is a state-protected mine and park in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Grass Valley, California, U.S. The Empire Mine is on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal Historic District, and a California Historical Landmark

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
530-265-2740
North Bloomfield, CA

Out of all the mining techniques, hydraulic mining is the most destructive to the land. Canons spray the hillsides with water, forcably washing the soil away to expose rock and gold deposits underneath. The abundant runoff produced clogged stream beds, dead vegetation and debris flows into the major rivers. Orchard towns in the valley were inundated with rocks and floods which destroyed homes, crops and businesses. Levees were built around the farming communities, but the protection was no match for the amount of mine tailings washing down river. Eventually legislation was passed to ban the hydro-blasting mining practice and these were the first environmental laws on the books in California.

Plumas Eureka State Park
530-836-2380
Johnsville, CA
load pix of property

Originally constructed as the miner’s bunkhouse, the museum now serves as a visitor center. Inside, displays depict the natural and cultural history of the park. Outside and across the street from the museum is the historic mining area, where the Mohawk Stamp Mill, Bushman five-stamp mill, stable, mine office, historic miner’s residence and the blacksmith shop depict life in gold rush-era California.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
530-622-3470
Coloma, CA

The oak lined foothills of the (American South Fork) river valley and Coloma proper is dedicated to preservation, parks, tourism, camping and lodging. The highway runs over a mile of State Park fronted land. Picnic tables, parks, historic buildings, mine history, museums, campgrounds, and river rafting.

Knight Foundry
209-560-6160
Sutter Creek, CA

Knight Foundry is America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop and a premier relic of Mother Lode gold mining.

Knights Foundry
Mining History @ Sutter Creek, CA

 

bycounty

SIERRA NEVADA MINES

Alpha Omega Mines (Omega Diggins)
Washington, CA

Donner Mine Camp
Bear River, west of Donner Pass I-80

Kongsberg, CA
Highway 4, east of Ebbetts Pass

Pine Creek Tungsten Mine
northwest of Bishop, CA US 395

pinetree

GOLD RUSH COUNTRY TOWNS
& MINING CAMPS
Sierra Nevada Foothills

Gold Country California
Gold Rush Towns HIGHWAY 49

(towns listed from north to south below)

Forbestown Yuba Feather Museum
530-675-1025
19096 New York Flat Road
Forbestown, CA 95941
(open only in summer)
Yuba Feather Historical Associates

Jackson, CA

Kennedy Gold Mine Tours
209-223-9542

Angels Camp @ HWY 49Angels Camp (Angels City, CA)

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MINING

Mining activity in the North State of California is way less than the Central Gold Country regions. While mining tourism and western themed downtowns cannot be found up here, historic hotels, cattle ranching, wide open views and unlimited dirt roads can. New beer breweries are popping up and also, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is routed nearby!

Northern California mines
Northern California mines

pinetree

Weaverville Main Street
Weaverville Main Street HWY 299

Weaverville, CA
Mining Museums on Main Street

Jake Jackson Memorial Museum
530-623-5211

Joss House State Historic Park
530-623-5284

Weaverville Firefighter Museum
530-623-6156

Weaverville History

Museum Trinity County

Weaverville Museums

hiker

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MINING

Blue Light Mine
Silverado Canyon, Orange County

Carrizo Gorge Goat Trestle
Tunnels & Railway
Anza Borrego Desert

Dawn Mine @ Millard Falls
Altadena, CA

Eagle Mine
west of Mount Baldy
Angeles National Forest

Julian Mine Tours
Eagle & High Peak Mine
Julian, CA
951-313-0166

Carrizo Gorge Railway
Hiking Destination: Carrizo Gorge Trestle
Virginia City, NV
Virginia City, Nevada
Coloma State Park
Coloma State Park
towns

Oatman Arizona

Oatman Ghost Town, AZ

established 1902

hotelsign_i If you are ever in Laughlin, Nevada and find yourself in a blank stare, mesmorized at a slot machine in front of your face, wondering ‘why the hell am I here?’ – RUN for the doors & take in the warm desert sun & scenery. There is plenty to do around here for sightseeing & Route 66. Oatman, Arizona is just one favorite option.

A lively, rustic town in the Arizona desert, with a silly commercial twist. Tourist trap to some, but entertaining to others. A meeting spot for travelers, an ideal lunch stop, and conveniently located on paved roads near major highways and close to Interstate 40.

OATMAN town began as a small mining camp and grew into a large town. Many residents that live here today are shop keepers or retirees. Located near the Colorado River, with Laughlin and local indian casinos nearby.

wagon_i

burro
Not-so-wild Burros walk the streets, but are not as tame as you may think. Local vendors sell carrots for feed. Always watch your fingers when feeding animals!

The amount of visitors or tourists can vary depending on time of day, there can be a motorcycle club rolling through, or a meeting of hot rods. Both classic cars and bikes are popular in this desert region. Tour buses and guides also bring their guest here as a good stopping point along their desert whirlwind travels. Holiday weekends & festival weekends can get crowded as well. Centrally located, Oatman sees lots of traffic, so don’t expect a desolate ghost town atmosphere. RV

The town streets have very limited parking & bringing that huge RV up the hill via the narrow road is not recommended. It may be possible to take a shuttle bus from a nearby hotel.

storefront

Souvenir shops, diner, saloon, western town walkways. OATMAN ghost town is super easy to get to. Only 12 miles off the main drag (AZ 95) Mojave Hwy. South of Bullhead City, AZ. Situated up on the Black Mesa above Mojave Valley, Oatman is a modern, developed, touristy ghost town (as ghost town standards go).

sign_iBUT, NO GASOLINE IN OATMAN

elevation: 2710′
population: 128

 Desert mountains, canyons.

SouthEast of Laughlin, NV
Mojave Valley – in Arizona
@ Nevada / California borders
Off Interstate 40, Route 66

diner

When traveling in the deserts, consider more stretch breaks (mini hikes). Short hikes and viewpoints offer time for relaxing, snacking and exercise.

town oatman
Parking is tight on main street, so you might need to walk in from the outskirts of town.


Remember that finding a great camp site before dark is of utmost importance, if you are not hoteling it; but bottoming out your rig, or getting stuck is another kinda adventure. No fun. Have topographic maps of the region you plan to explore, on foot, or off-road.

trainride

area activities:

  • Back Roads
  • Camping
  • Casinos
  • Colorado River
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Museums
  • Jet Ski Rentals
  • Sightseeing
  • Shopping

lodging laughlin vacations

plaque

camptruck

Primitive camping on dirt backroads is plentiful and FREE. SUV back road exploring just north of town. Silver Canyon Wash, a graded, dirt road continues back down to Bulhead City. A decent little loop drive (for those needing to get dusty to have fun). Since we’ve been writing about this road, a huge residential neighborhood has sprouted back here, so watch for private property signs. Don’t camp within eye-sight of a home, or you could have the local Sheriff out to move you (at 11pm)

Camper Trailers & RV campers should be very cautious about venturing too far down any dirt road. Wash outs can change the road annually, so it is best to get out & walk it first. The California Mojave is filled with bitchin back road camp sites, and yes, some are very accessible – even with a huge motorhome.

peak

ghost towns
find more mining camps

 


towns

Virginia City Nevada

Virginia City Nevada

Virginia City, NV

Virginia City Nevada Mines, Mining Camp, Ghost Town
Storey County, Nevada

South of Reno, NV
NE of Carson City @ US 395

Virginia City Historic District
established 1859 The Comstock Lode

elevation: 6200′
population: 1000

Historic mining district with restored downtown; several mining camps, which are now residential communities. The 1859 mining boom of the Comstock Lode turned Virginia City into the most important industrial city between Denver and San Francisco. At its peak, this location had approximately 25,000 residents.

snow snow is common in winter

Ghost towns, mining camps and remote, almost abandon locations – always intrigue. Old historic towns that have too much commercialized backing are a big turn off. Any popular tourist mecca, I typically avoid.

Over the decades traveling the West coast, I had heard numerous stories about the legendary Virginia City, in the high desert mining hills of Nevada. The real, authentic, boomtown of silver & gold mining; East of  Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. One day, maybe. Sounds larger than life. Bet it is crowded. Twenty years go by.

road side 342

Then low and behold, I found myself in the Eastern Sierra – trying to kill time, avoiding the fire smoke in California. Wildfire season was raging and as the weeks progressed, I could no longer find a smoke-free spot to camp. I finally ended up at a small, cute lodge in a desert mining district – Virginia City.

lawn mower

Wild horses graze in the backyard, the main street scene was only a few blocks away, and I had a refrigerator and an air conditioner in my room. I was set! After a long shower and a change of clothes, I hit the trail. Or shall I say sidewalk.

Walking to town I immediately noticed that the entire townsite is built on a steep, dirt, mountain side. Terraced, high desert hills with minimal trees, and miles of mining tunnels located underneath the paved streets.

Numerous shops and restaurants line the main drag, which sit precipitously on a slope of Mount Davidson. Tourists stroll the sidewalks, eat frozen treats and kettle corn. Loud motorcycle engines reverb off the historic buildings and music can be heard on each passing block.

wooden sidewalks

Nevada Highway 341 is the main street, also known as “C” Street, and it runs the length of town and has most of the sidewalk businesses. Parallel side streets – either up hill (labeled A Street, B St) – or down hill (D St, E, F, G, H) span the arid mountain terrain. Residential homes (some historic) surround this historic village.

Nevada Highway 342 is the main (but steep) paved route thru the communities to the south of town. Occidental Grade is Hwy 341, which bypasses the mining camps (to the east side) and is the longer, official ‘truck route’ and preferred RV entrance to VC.

steep streets

Walk the whole town, twice, and get a work out hiking the steep hills.

Motorcycle rides, classic car shows, old west, cowboy tourists type of destination. Wooden sidewalks, historic buildings, great desert views. The town is home to Victorian buildings built during the 19th-century mining boom. Annual events and parades celebrate the history of this unique locale.

party town: this desert destination is well known for its drinking, local events and celebratory nature, as well as the historic interest

Several hotels and one RV campground cater to overnight travelers. But beware, there is no real grocery store or public laundromat in town. No big chain hotels, coffee shops, nor chain restaurants.

gasoline

Only one gas station – on the north end of town.

Amazing museums, plenty of saloons, antique stores, numerous curiosity shops, many restaurants, plus an authentic 1800’s cemetery. Historic, classic and not too busy for mid week, but weekends are typically crowded.

After the sun sets, the families go home and a different gang comes in for dinner and drinks. Live music – perhaps. Drinking establishments are usually open late here, so know that this small town can get rowdy at night. Sheriff Station is in the center of town!

check

MANY MUSEUMS IN TOWN –

firehouse museum

Virginia City was designated a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1965. National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the Distinctive Destinations Award to the Storey County in 2009.

cemetery view
Silver Terrace Cemetery, Virginia City, NV

Desert scrub, sage brush and juniper pines make up the vegetation. Trees are few and far between. Apple trees, cottonwoods and juniper evergreens dress up the edges of town.

businesses include:

antiques
art center
costume photography
curiosity shops
gift shops
ice cream shop
lodging
opera house
outdoor cafesfood
restaurants
RV park
saloons
train tours

recreation:

high desert terrain
historic parks
horseback rides
horseback trails
mine tours
museums
off roading
OHV trails
picnic grounds
RV camping
saloons & gamblingtrain rides
shopping
train rides

Virginia City Train Tours:
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co

camp

RVCamping Virginia City

Campground in Town is limited to only one RV Park, with limited, poor tent camping options, but they have a near 5 star rating on Google, so it must be decent for the motorhomes.

additional camping nearby –

Dayton State Park has day use areas, picnic tables and offers camping, down the hill @ US Hwy 50

Washoe Lake State Park Campground
N of Carson City, Nevada. Only 5 mi west of VC, but a 30 mi drive by paved road, via US Highway 50 & I-580

Ft Churchill State Historic Park, located 30 mi east (near Yerrington, NV) Fort Churchill Camping

picnic

neighboring communities:

  • Gold Hill
  • Devils Gate
  • Silver City
  • VC Highlands

nearby towns, down the hill:

  • Carson City, NV
  • Dayton, NV
  • Reno, NV

exterior

Virginia City Tourism Commission
86 South C Street
Virginia City, NV 89440
775-847-7500

Comstock Historic District Commission
20 North E Street
Virginia City, NV 89440
775-847-0281

star

Virginia City is NOT to be confused with –

Virginia Creek Settlement
Virginia Lakes California 
both locations along US 395 south of Bridgeport, CA

Virginiatown (1851) Placer County
West of Auburn, CA in West Sierra Nevada, Gold Country

mine

Montgomery City

Montgomery Creek Canyon
Montgomery Mining Camp:
Mountain Queen Mine
Montgomery City, California

 

WHITE PEAK DISTRICT
As with many historic names inside California, this remote location cannot be classified as a ‘city’ in todays terms.  It may have been a notable location back in the early days of early settlement, but it did not last long. Notable producers of this region were the Phoenix Mine and Mountain Queen Mine.

 Desert

terrain: desert mountain peaks

elevation: 6450′

description:miner
Old mining camp near the Nevada state border

location:
Eastern California, on Nevada border
Mono County
NE of Bishop, & 40 mi. SE of Bodie, CA

East of US 395, up Highway 6 @ Benton, turn right / South towards the Benton dump w/ dirt road Inyo Forest Road #1S77 leading up Montgomery Canyon. 4×4 will be needed to drive the dirt access road. Hiking may be required to reach mining ruins.

hiker

Boundary Peak Hike
Boundary Peak Trailhead

area activities:

Inyo Mountains Map

When Mono County was still in its infancy, the town of Benton became a destination of miners seeking new strikes, and by 1865 was the county’s largest town.

Miners found ore where perpendicular cliffs of Montgomery Canyon opened onto the alluvial fan. Montgomery City and its mines didn’t thrive for very long and like most operations typical of this era, eventually became an abandoned site.

Circa 1863 and 1864, “some very rich rock was found in Montgomery Canyon, and a tremendous rush and excitement was the consequence. A lively little town of three or four thousand inhabitants at once sprung up, locations were made and mines opened out, and large shipments of rich ore made to San Francisco and other places. I have been told that some of the ore was worth from $2 to $3 a pound; but the ledges were broken on the surface, and apparently gave out, and the excitement soon subsided.”

Montgomery Peak – 13,441′ elev
Mount Dubois – 13,559′
White Mountain Peak – 14,246′

Stone walls can be found within the mining site, located within the drainage of Montgomery Creek. A few old stone cabins hold on to the brink of existence, far up this secluded high desert canyon.

Benton on US Hwy 6 was established as Benton Station in 1880 when the narrow gauge Carson & Colorado Railroad came through the area. Montgomery City is a true ghost town, in every sense of the phrase. Those who make the rough and steep journey to reach this remote location should  be rewarded with an enjoyable day trip.

InyoAtlasBackpackers, hikers and off-roaders who plan to explore this region in depth should follow the trailhead link above for GPS points and notes on this canyon. A topographic map of the area would also help in navigation.

4x4

towns nearby:

see also –

Benton Hot Springs

Laws Railroad Museum

Ancient Bristlecone Pines Forest

river

Yuba River California

unionflatyuba
North fork Yuba River @ Union Flat Campground

Yuba River

Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains
Tahoe National Forest
North Gold Country @ Historic Highway 49
Marysville, California

Historic ‘gold rush’ mining camps and towns line this popular recreation river in the Northern Sierra. Numerous State Parks, museums, and campgrounds can be found along this route, in which Tahoe National Forest land encompasses the whole region.

North fork of the Yuba River lines Historic Highway 49, on the way to Downieville and Sierra City, CA. Plenty of camping in these parts.  Lakes Basin Recreation Area  is located up behind the impressive granite spires called Sierra Buttes and this area is the headwaters for this portion of the river.

New Bullards Bar Reservoir is also located in these parts, and offers camping and boating w/ very limited shoreline access.

Middle fork of the Yuba River cuts through the residential mountain community on Moonshine Road, and ends up in Lake Bullards Bar; The rest of the middle fork flows through remote forest lands and is only crossed by one dirt road #191 in Tahoe NF.

South fork of the Yuba River flows from the far heights of Donner Pass and I-80; near Lake Spaulding. Passing Washington Ridge; northeast of Nevada City; and North Bloomfield @ Malakoff Diggins continuing down to Bridgeport @ South YUBA – where the longest wooden, covered bridge is located. Numerous old, one-lane bridges cross this southern fork of the river, and the region can take years to explore. Lots of residential and private properties.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has a campground way back here, the CHEAPEST CAMP around; Look for signs, along the dusty North Bloomfield Rd (graded dirt road) about a mile UP hill from rickety Edwards Crossing (pictured below).

edx1898_sm
Edwards Crossing Bridge, built 1898

soyubaBLMsign

South Yuba State Park, located along the Golden Chain Hwy 49, is a short drive up Hwy 4 from Nevada City and a very popular spot for sightseeing, day hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and riverside picnics. The parking lot at the large curved bridge fills up fast, daily. Pedestrians and hikers are always seen here, so slow down driving along this portion of the highway.

The big river forks all join west of Grass Valley, heading down the mountains, paralleling Hwy 20 to Marysville, CA

northyuba
North Yuba near Downieville, CA

Yuba River Recreation

Backpackinghiker
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Reservoirs
Mining History
Mountain Biking
Off-Roading
Picnics
Rafting
Tubing
Sightseeing

Forests, Lakes & Parks along this River:

Tahoe National Forest
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
BLM South Yuba Recreation
Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Kentucky Mine Museum
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
New Bullards Bar Reservoir
Englebright Lake
South Yuba River State Parkyubariver

Yuba River Camping

Campgrounds along Yuba River:camp

Fiddle Creek Campground
Indian Valley Campground
Rocky Rest Campground
Ramshorn Campground
Union Flat Campground
Loganville Campground
Wild Plum Campground
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
Chute Hill (Shooter Hill Campground)
South Yuba BLM Campground

Lakes Basin Campgrounds: Gold Lake, Sardine, Salmon, Snag, Goose, Packer, Long, Big Bear, Jamison, Smith

MainStreet
Main Street in Sierra City, CA

The historic river town of Sierra City is defined by the North Yuba River that cuts through the granite, forested canyon. Granite towers above and snow is around more than half the year.

The river is free-running up here; Sierra City is only about 10 miles below the headwaters of the Yuba, at Lakes Basin Gold Lake California. In spring, runoff is pure Class 5 whitewater. Wild Plum Campground is walking distance to town.

camptruckFree primitive camping on dirt roads, can be found way up near the Bassetts intersection. Opposite from Gold Lake Hwy – turn RIGHT (south) on to logging roads: Forest Rd #54 (long ridge route, all dirt) and club into the forest. Drive a several miles up to any large dirt pulls out. Passenger car accessible road; No low riders. Carry a good forest map. Many primitive camp spots have wide openings with views of the Sierra Buttes and crystal clear night skies. Wind can get bad on this mountain ridge, so pick your camp spot with that in mind.

Epic view camp – or expensive river camp? (you choose). Campfire permit are required for camping outside of developed campgrounds. Bring your own water and shovel!

sierra buttes
Looking North to Sierra Buttes

Towns nearby & along Yuba River:

Allegheny, CA
Bridgeport, CA
Brown’s Valley
Downieville, CA
Goodyears Bar
Gold Lake California
Marysville, CA
Nevada City, CA
North Bloomfield
North San Juan
Sierra City, CA
Yuba City, CA

downierivers
Downieville, CA
southyubariver
south yuba river map USDA

Maps near this River:

Tahoe National Forest Map
South Yuba River Map
Lakes Basin Recreation Map
NatGeo Sierra Buttes Map
Tahoe Forest 4×4 Guide

bridgeportint
Bridgeport Covered Bridge, South Yuba River SP
bridgeportplaq
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
southyubariver
South Yuba River, California

mine

Panamint City California

panahills
Photo Credit © Lttlbddy Steve Gardiner

Panamint City, a super remote mining camp on the edge of Death Valley National Park

elevation: 7300′

(Not to be confused w/ Panamint Springs, CA which is NW, along the main Highway 190 on the west side of DVNPhiker

Panamint Valley, Death Valley NP
Inyo County, NE of Ridgecrest
East of Hwy 395, south of Hwy 190

Hard to reach ghost town / abandoned mining camp on the mountainous edge of Death Valley National Park. Access via dirt road and steep trail,  off the paved Trona Wildrose Road. Panamint Valley, west of Death Valley

best time to visit: November – April
Triple digit heat is common in the warmer months, so spring, autumn and winter time is best for this region, but beware of winter storms.snow

Snow is common on  the peaks, and at higher elevations (like this place) during winter (DEC-APRIL). If you see trees on the terrain – joshua trees or pinyon pines, that indicates that snow falls here often enough. Snow is possible around Death Valley, down to 3000′ elev. during coldest of winter storms.

Surprise Canyon Wilderness BLM – Desert mountains, steep rocky terrain w/ peaks and very few trees. Surprise Canyon can become a waterfall, during heavy desert rains. The canyon is the  only access up to reach this hidden town4x4

NO MORE 4×4
Hike or backpack up Surprise Canyon
No longer 4WD accessible .Gotta hike it on foot now. So get that fat ass outta the rig for some elevated heart rate (real exercise).

This desert destination used to be a very popular off-road trail, where Jeeps would wench and crawl up the narrow, rocky passage; but all that changed with a wilderness designation (1994)  and no longer are machines allowed in this specific canyon area. No vehicles (engines) and no mountain bikes. No wheeled anything.

Off-roading and free-wheelin is still allowed and abundant in neighboring canyons of Nadeau Road & Panamint Valley – Pleasant Canyon, South Park Canyon, Jailhouse Canyon, Goler Wash, Isham Canyon

stack
Smoke stack has collapsed in the recent past, so this structure is no longer standing. Photo Credit © Lttlbddy Steve Gardiner

DVNP Topo Map

area activities & links:

  • lookinN
    Looking north in a neighboring canyon

    Campgrounds nearby –

    Ballarat ghost town has a camper bathroom w/ showers and a fee to go along with that. Panamint Springs has a small motel and a big restaurant, plus a large campground (across the highway) which can accommodate tents, camper trailers and RVs.

    campDeath Valley National Park boundary means developed campgrounds are a few miles away up Wildrose Canyon.

     

  • Primitive Camping around Panamint Valley

    Boon-docking, dispersed, FREE, open camping is allowed almost anywhere in Panamint Valley and the neighboring desert canyons. Campfire permits are required and are available at BLM office in Ridgecrest. There is no firewood, nor wood collecting around these parts, so bring your own.

    camptruck

    Nadeau Road has abundant flat spots for RVs; Well stocked 4x4s can find secluded camping further up the canyons, but must be a self-sufficient camper and bring water, plenty of ice, extra gasoline, food and firewood.

    More Mining Camps & towns nearby:check

    Ballarat, CA
    Pleasant Canyon
    Randsburg, CA
    Skidoo, DVNP
    Tucki Mine, DVNP

    wildrosedrive
    Wildrose Canyon Road, DVNP

    lodging nearby – lodge

    Locating a ‘real bed’ near this remote desert region will require some driving. The closest option in Panamint Springs, which only has a few rooms. The next closest, would be Stovepipe Wells inside the National Park.

    mike_up5
    This is the kinda wheeling craziness that goes on in other canyons nearby.
    bestnite
    Leon from San Diego enjoys a spontaneous vacation.

    Camping in Panamint Valley is best in cooler months.  NOTE: Triple digit heat in summer!


mine, rural, towns

Oregon City California

oregoncitybrdg

As with a lot of small town names in California, Oregon City is not a city at all. It is however, worthy of historic interest.

Oregon City is a rural locale on the back roads of Butte County, California – about 5 miles uphill from the Oroville Dam. A tiny, historic camp, located in the North Sierra foothills between Oroville and Cherokee.

One of the first mining camps in the county, it was established in the autumn of 1848 by a party of Oregonians, who came to California over the Applegate and Lassen trails.

  • Bloomingdale Mine
  • Rock River Mine
  • Buffalo Mine

oregoncityschoolhouse

Two historic sites, open to the public:

  • A little covered bridge (painted red)
  • A wooden one-room schoolhouse (now museum)

gravelroads

Gravel road access w/ paved, narrow and curvy Cherokee Road being pretty much the only way in. Or hiking up Potter’s Ravine, from Lake Oroville.

oaktree

Minimal residence, maximum oaks.

Oregon City was formerly known as Bloomingdale and Hengy.
North of Oroville, CA

woodenschoolhouse

Lake Oroville SRA

horseback

Happy Day Pony Ride

wildflower

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve

Wildflowers bloom in Spring

lupinetable

Wildflowers, Table Mountain 2014

hiker

Waterfalls of Table Mountain:

  • Hollow Falls
  • Ravine Falls
  • Phantom Falls
  • Little Phantom Falls

Phantom Falls, Table Mountain 2014

nearby towns –