Feather River Scenic Byway - Chamber Organizer

Since the advent of theautomobile, motorists haveenjoyed pleasure driving.The United States ForestService established the NationalForest Scenic Byways Programto showcase the scenic, historic,recreational, cultural, archeologicaland natural qualities of some ofthis country’s finest roadways. TheFeather River Scenic Byway is afine example of the use of naturalresources as working assets. Thenatural beauty and historic interestmake this a drive you’ll rememberwith pleasure. Welcome tothe Feather River Scenic Byway.The FeatherRiver ScenicByway isa treasureawaitingdiscovery.Start at thewest endand you’llfind LakeOroville,a jewel setin goldenhills. FollowHighway 70 up the Feather River Canyonand make discoveries at each curve of thehighway. The canyon is an awesome gorgecarved by the river through granite, intoconifer forests and high mountain meadows.The human additions of highway, railroadand powerhouses are beautiful feats ofengineering in their own right. At the eastend of the Byway, the route winds throughthe Sierra Valley, the western edge of theGreat Basin.This 130-mile route featuresincomparable natural beautyand diversity in terrain,landscape, wildlifehabitat andhumanusefulness.Known as anall-weatherroute because of its relatively low elevation,the Feather River Scenic Byway can beenjoyed throughout the year. Each seasonprovides a unique view of the route. In thespring, you’ll find nearly 100 waterfalls,brilliant wildflowers, and brightlycoloredboats of daring kayakers ridingthe whitewater. In the summer, the sunsparkles off the river as swimmers, fishingenthusiasts and gold miners enjoy thecool water. The beautiful fall colors alongthe steep mountain slopes make autumnspectacular. In the winter, the river rushesand the snowcappedmountainscontrast sharplywith the graniteand slate atriver level.There is somuch to seeand do alongthe way that youshould plan plentyof time for stops. One-way drive time ofthe route is approximately three and onehalfhours. The map inside shows a fewhighlights, but we encourage you to explorethe area in more depth. The various visitorscenters and information sources listed inthis brochure can provide you with moredetails on your particular areas of interest.Drive carefully and enjoy!Contact these sources for moreinformation regarding Feather RiverScenic Byway attractions.Butte CountyButte County EconomicDevelopnent CorporationP.O. Box 496Chico, CA 95927Tel: (530) 895-2728www.experiencebuttecounty.comChico Chamber of Commerce300 Salem StreetChico, CA 95928Tel: (530) 891-5556Toll-free: (800) 852-8570www.chicochamber.comGridley Chamber ofCommerce613 Kentucky StreetGridley, CA 95948Tel: (530) 846-3142www.gridleyareachamber.comOroville Chamber ofCommerce1789 Montgomery StreetOroville, CA 95965Tel: (530) 538-2542Toll-free: (800) 655-GOLDwww.orovillechamber.netParadise Ridge Chamber ofCommerce5550 Skyway, #1Paradise, CA 95969Tel: (530) 877-9356Toll-free: (888) 845-2769www.paradisechamber.comPlumas CountyPlumas County Visitors Bureau550 Crescent St. (Hwy. 70)(Half mile west of downtown)Quincy, CA 95971Tel: (530) 283-6345Toll-free: (800) 326-2247www.plumascounty.orgLake Almanor AreaChamber of Commerce529 Main StreetP.O. Box 1198Chester, CA 96020Tel: (530) 258-2426Toll-free: (800) 350-4838www.lakealmanorarea.comEastern Plumas Chamberof CommerceJunctions of Hwys. 89 and 70P.O. Box 1043Graeagle, CA 96103Tel: (530) 836-6811www.easternplumaschamber.comPortola Visitors CenterWilliams House Museum424 E. Sierra Ave. (Hwy. 70)Portola, CA 96122Tel: (530) 832-0671www.portolavisitorscenter.comIndian ValleyChamber of Commerce408 Main StreetP.O. Box 516Greenville, CA 95947Tel: (530) 284-6633www.indianvalley.netU.S. Forest Service Information CentersPlumas National Forest(PNF) Headquarters159 Lawrence StreetP.O. Box 11500Quincy, CA 95971(530) 283-2050www.fs.usda.gov/plumasPNF-Mt. HoughRanger District39696 Highway 70(NW of Quincy)Quincy, CA 95971(530) 283-0555PNF-BeckwourthRanger District23 Mohawk Highway Road(off Hwy. 70, west of Blairsden)P.O. Box 7Blairsden, CA 96103(530) 836-2575PNF-Greenville Work Center128 Hot Springs RoadGreenville, CA 95947(530) 284-7126PNF-Feather River District875 Mitchell AvenueOroville, CA 95965(530) 534-6500Lassen National ForestAlmanor Ranger DistrictHwy. 36 (west of Chester)P.O. Box 767Chester, CA 96020(530) 258-2141www.fs.usda.gov/lassenProduced in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, whichis an equal opportunity service provider and employer. Reprinted2011.A guide toNorthern California’sFeatherRiverScenicBywayHeritageBeautyResourcesRecreationSee adjacentpanel forU.S. ForestServiceInformationCenters.Quincy Chamber of Commerce464 W. Main StreetQuincy, CA 95971Tel: (530) 283-0188www.quincychamber.comPlumas County Museum500 Jackson StreetQuincy, CA 95971Tel: (530) 283-6320www.plumasmuseum.org

CHESTER36Northern California’sFeather RiverScenic BywayReddingFeather RiverScenic BywayReno BUTTE CO.SacramentoLASSEN CO.PLUMAS CO.SIERRA CO.To Mt. Lassen8936Lake Almanor89GREENVILLE/INDIAN VALLEYFeather RiverScenic BywaySan FranciscoCHICO99PARADISE191149OROVILLE3Los Angeles12San Diego4North Fork Feather RiverHistoric Beckwourth Emigrant TrailLakeOroville5Feather FallsScenic Area1628970 BELDEN TOWN7TOBIN6Bucks Lake70395Pacific Crest TrailTWAINFeather River Scenic BywayRailroadsMajor RiversMajor Roads/HighwaysMajor TrailsState HighwaysU.S. Highways10QUINCY11Middle Fork Feather River∂170CampgroundVisitor InformationPicnic areaHistoric monumentRest areaVista PointScenic Byway Attractions(see descriptions below)891314CROMBERG12GRAEAGLEPORTOLABLAIRSDEN89To Downieville49Lake Davis15Scale: 1/8 inch = 1 mile0 1 58916BECKWOURTH70891749To Truckee/TahoeFrenchmanLakeVINTONTo SusanvilleCHILCOOT395HallelujahJunctionTo RenoFeather RiverScenic Byway Attractions1 2 Feather River Fish Hatchery & LakeOroville State Recreation AreaLake Oroville is the gemstone of the state waterproject. Waters from the Feather River converge toform a recreational paradise with boating, fishing,camping and bike and equestrian trails. Thewater stored in Lake Oroville generates electricityupstream and serves the water needs of farmersand other citizens as far south as Los Angeles. Thevisitors center at Lake Oroville State RecreationArea has permanent displays portraying the area’shistory and natural surroundings. The fish hatcherybelow the dam is one of Butte County’s five officialWatchable Wildlife viewing areas.Other sites not to be missed in Oroville include theChinese Temple and the Pioneer Museum (contactthe Oroville Chamber of Commerce for moreinformation).3 CherokeeThe largest diamond ever found in California wasreputedly mined in Cherokee. Although the mineswere worked intermittently into the early 1900s,only about 200 diamonds were found. The mineshave closed, but a few stone structures and a museumremain.4 Pulga BridgeThe Feather River Canyon boasts some of the mostbeautiful bridges in the West. One such engineeringand aesthetic success is the Pulga Bridge. Thebridge spans 680 feet with each end perched onrocky outcroppings. A railroad bridge and theNorth Fork of the Feather River are approximately200 feet below.5 TunnelsArch Rock, Elephant Butte, and Grizzly Dome arethree impressive tunnels blasted through solidgranite. A Works Progress Administration (WPA)project, some of the rock removed from inside thetunnels was used in the stone guardrails throughoutthe canyon.6 Bucks Creek PowerhouseThis hydroelectric powerhouse is an excellent exampleof the power-generating process in action.Built in 1927, it is one of seven such powerhouseslocated throughout the Feather River Canyoncollectively known as the “Stairway of Power”. Theforce of gravity is put to use here as water fromBucks Lake descends through pipes creating tremendouspressure.7 Pacific Crest TrailTrailheads to the Pacific Crest Trail are located onboth sides of Highway 70 near Belden Town, the heartof the Feather River Canyon. The Pacific Crest Trail,which runs from Canada to Mexico, is one of thenation’s most beloved hiking trails. Other recreationaround Belden Town includes spring kayaking, camping,RV hookups, summer music festivals, gold mining,fishing and swimming.8 Eby Stamp MillReconstructed at this site, the Eby Stamp Mill hasinterpretive signage explaining how the huge ironstamps were used to crush gold-bearing quartz frommines near Seneca from 1898 to 1937.9 Rich BarThe richest gold producing area in the Feather RiverWatershed, there is nothing left of Rich Bar exceptfor a secluded graveyard and a historic marker commemoratingthe rich history of this site. One residentof the 1850s, Dame Shirley, recorded turbulenttimes common to the gold rush towns. In what isnow a book titled The Shirley Letters, she reports ofmurders, bloody accidents, mob rule, whippings, ahanging, an attempted suicide and a fatal duel—all inone month!10 Keddie YAs the railroad tracks emerge from a tunnel beneaththe highway, they split to form a “Y”. It is an impressivefeat of engineering and the only trestle of itskind in the world. Railroad buffs often perch alongthe highway above the tracks with cameras poised,waiting for a train to pass to complete the picture.Passenger trains stopped riding these rails in 1970,and traffic is now limited to freight trains.11 QuincyHalfway between Reno and Oroville, Quincy is thecounty seat of Plumas County. You’ll find the VisitorsCenter at the west end of town at the airport. Amongthings to see is the county courthouse, a mammoth,four-story structure built in 1921. Behind the courthouseis the County Museum. Housed here is a finecollection of Maidu baskets and artifacts along withother historic and natural history displays. Quincy isalso the beginning of the Maidu Worldmaker’s Trail,another scenic heritage route. Guides to the HeritageWalk (a walking tour of Quincy’s historic buildings),backcountry driving tours off the byway and othervisitor brochures are available at the Museum and theVisitors Center.12 Feather River InnBuilt in 1914, the Feather River Inn was a destinationresort for many of the San Francisco Bay Area’s elite.Arriving by passenger train, the guests were treated toquaint accommodations, swimming pools, horsebackriding, golf, fishing and fine meals. It served as aprivate high school in the 1970s and 80s and theUniversity of the Pacific operated it as an alumnicamp and conference center until 2005. Followingnew ownership and a major renovation, the innplans to reopen as a destination resort once again,offering lodging, golf, a theater, spa facilities, shopsand restaurants. The huge chalet-style lodge buildingis an impressive sight.13 Plumas-Eureka State ParkSituated at the base of Eureka Peak in Johnsville, anindoor/outdoor museum complex tells the mininghistory of this area. A restored stamp mill, miner’scabin and assayer’s office bring the mining days tolife for visitors. Rich mines drew $25 million in goldfrom the mountains during the 1880s. Now a statepark, camping, hiking and fishing are the draw forvisitors. In the winter, Eureka Ski Bowl operates afamily ski hill featuring historic longboard races.14 Lakes Basin Recreation AreaDotted with numerous lakes, this area offers somethingfor every outdoor enthusiast: boating, hiking,horse packing, camping and fishing are favorite activities.Some lakes have full vehicle access includingboat ramps, while others are accessible by hikingonly. Beautiful trails of varying lengths providespectacular views.15 Western Pacific Railroad MuseumRailroad buffs from all over the world visit theWestern Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola whereyou can view displays, inspect historic trains andeven drive a locomotive. Train rides in cabooses andvista flat- cars around a one-mile track are offeredduring the summer.16 Beckwourth CabinThe trail pioneered by Jim Beckwourth parallelsthe Feather River Scenic Byway along severalstretches. Beckwourth led many pioneers throughwhat is the lowest pass over the Sierra. His cabin,built in 1852, served as a hotel and trading post asthe trail grew more popular. Jim Beckwourth wasone of only a small number of explorers of African-American descent.17 Sierra Valley Wildlife ViewingBordered by meadows and pines, this is a favoriteviewing area among birders. You may witnessCanada geese, tundra swans, bald eagles, ospreys,hawks and numerous migratory birds. Coyotes, muledeer and black-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels,chipmunks and skunks are also seen. NearbyLake Davis is part of the Watchable Wildlife ViewingNetwork. Frenchman Lake, accessed throughChilcoot, is another good viewing area. Dawn anddusk are prime times for sighting wildlife.