If ever there was a park that held something for everyone,
Sierra Plumas Eureka State Park is it! Established in 1959, "Plumas" (as it is
commonly known by State Park folks and visitors alike) has been providing a bit
of California's history, scenic beauty and recreational opportunity to thousands
of visitors for many years.
The focal point of the park is the museum building. Originally constructed as
the miner's bunkhouse, it 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 stands the Mohawk Stamp Mill,
Bushman five stamp mill, stable, mine office, and the blacksmith shop. All have
been maintained in a "near-restored" condition.
During the summer, tours of the buildings and blacksmithing demonstrations are
conducted by docents and park staff. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, nature
study and hiking within the park.
Location/Directions
The park is five miles west of Blairsden on County Road A-14.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Summer temperatures range from about 75 degrees during the day to the low 40s at
night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to a low of 20 degrees.
Facilities - Activities
Fishing
Fishing opportunities at Plumas abound with two lakes, Madora and Eureka, plus
Jamison Creek which flows through the park. Generally, the late spring-early
summer period is the best time to fish. Late evening fishing throughout summer
can yield occasional fish.
Madora Lake species include rainbow and brown trout, while Eureka Lake contains
only brook trout. Jamison Creek holds mainly rainbow trout, with a few brown
trout. There are numerous other alpine lakes and streams within a half hour
drive or one and a half mile hike which hold several varieties of fish including
golden trout.
About the park
Gold Discovery
The event that resulted in a community and later became the key reason for
establishing the park was the discovery of gold on the east side of Eureka Peak,
(then known as Gold Mountain) by a group of 9 miners on May 23, 1851. What
started out as an individual discovery eventually led to 62 miles of shafts with
several individual operators and companies.
British mining experts perfected the method of removing the rich ore from within
the mountain. At one point, three stamp mills were in operation at various
locations on the mountainside, but in time, the ore-crushing operation was
concentrated at one mill, the Mohawk. Built in 1876 at a cost of approximately
$50,000 the Mohawk contained 60 stamps, each weighing from 600 to 950 pounds
with a drop of 8 1/2 inches - 80 times per minute. Each stamp could crush 2 1/2
tons of ore (a small dump truckload) every 24 hours.
Ore was brought from shafts higher up on the mountain by the means of two
gravity-powered tramways. Returning ore buckets sometimes carried miners up the
mountain and in the winter, served as possibly the first ski lift in California.
When mining in the area ceased for good in the 1940's, over 8 million dollars
worth of gold had been removed from Gold Mountain! Telephone:
530-836-2380
Please contact Reserve America for Reservations at
1-800-444-7275.
Address:
310 Johnsville Road
Blairsden, CA 96103 |
