Empire Mine State Historic Park is home to one of the richest and longest running gold mines in California. The mine ran for over 100 years and was able to extract more than 5.5 million ounces of gold. When it stopped operations in 1956, it was eventually turned over to the California state park system, […]
Nevada County
Donner Summit Bridge: Rainbow Bridge over Donner Pass
On my constant search to find the best bridges in California, I stumbled upon the Donner Summit Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, while exploring the Donner Summit Tunnels (you need to do this hike if you haven’t). I snapped a few photos of it while I was there, but luckily my friend Nate […]
Kentucky Mine Historic Park & Museum: Tour a Gold Rush Era Stamp Mill
In the small town of Sierra City, with only a grocery store and two restaurants, there is one of my favorite spots in all of Northern California, the Kentucky Mine. This old gold mine and mill is one of the best preserved mills from the gold rush era and is an excellent way to both […]
Donner Memorial State Park: Donner Camp Trail
One of the more tragic parts of America’s westward expansion is the story of the Donner party and their fateful trip over the Sierras. Located in what is now the town of Truckee, there is both a museum and an interpretive trail (in different areas of Truckee), known as the Donner Camp Trail, which gives […]
Floating the Truckee River: Truckee Regional Park to Glenshire Bridge
Is there anything more relaxing than grabbing an inner tube and floating slowly down a river on a hot summer day? I have done this many times in my life, with the most recent being when I floated in Chico last year. When my friend Nate suggested it in Truckee, I jumped at the opportunity to do […]