We rode the trail last weekend and found lots of old history. Looks like they are possibly from an old mining town? Does anyone have any pictures from back then when the mines/ town was in operation? I have searched google and found nothing. Im really interested in finding out some of the history that is behind what we saw. We passed the area I think is called the Boiler? Its right at the commitee crossing with some old rusted pieces of steel. The other history we found was just past winch hill #3 or possibly #4? Its an old water tank that is huge. An old large pipe that has some bricks inside. Very interested in what that was used for back in the day. I wold imagine these mines were busy back in the late 1800's?
Thanks for any help!

Here's picture of Meadow Lake at that time.
http://www.thestormking.com/Tahoe_Nuggets/Nugget_71/Nugget__71_B_Meadow_Lake_Dana_Scanlon.jpg

And here's the guy who founded it.
http://www.thestormking.com/Tahoe_Nuggets/Nugget_71/Nugget__71_A_Henry_Hartley_portrait.jpg

And here's a story about it.
http://www.thestormking.com/Tahoe_Nuggets/Nugget_71/nugget_71.html

There is the Carlisle Mine site which is pretty interesting. If you walk up the hill you can see lots of old drums, cables, trailings, and even a boiler and rock lined paths. You can see the approximate location on this map. It's a road that leads off to the left from the trail but walk it don't drive it. It's not part of the trail.
http://fourdice4x4.com/photos/albums/pebbles/Fordyce_map.jpg

Wow, very interesting!!!
Thanks for the post!
Harold.

The pics I posted a few weeks ago in this forum were from Carlisle mine, a short ways before WH 1. Several mining tunnels also remain as well as whats left of an old wood-spoked/rubber tired vehicle of some sort buried in the aspens.

The pics I posted a few weeks ago in this forum were from Carlisle mine, a short ways before WH 1. Several mining tunnels also remain as well as whats left of an old wood-spoked/rubber tired vehicle of some sort buried in the aspens.


One day I would really like to go hiking around to see all the things you dont from the trail. How far is the carlisle mine away from the trail? Mile or two?
thanks!
Harold.

Ya, about a mile at the most but a lot sooner than that before you start seeing stuff. It all over the place.

Tinman,

Do you have the GPS waypoints that go with the map? Could you post them also.

Nice map where did it come from?

There is the Carlisle Mine site which is pretty interesting. If you walk up the hill you can see lots of old drums, cables, trailings, and even a boiler and rock lined paths. You can see the approximate location on this map. It's a road that leads off to the left from the trail but walk it don't drive it. It's not part of the trail.
http://fourdice4x4.com/photos/albums/pebbles/Fordyce_map.jpg


wow.... that map is awesome! never seen that one

I wold imagine these mines were busy back in the late 1800's?
Thanks for any help!

Summit city was only there for, if memory serves me right like 7 years or so. (i'm probably wrong). The town was all but abandoned one of the winters due to HUGE snow fall. Also, the mines did not yeald much gold, it was exremely hard to extract from the rock. The old water tank and brick lined ovens you see were used to heat the rock and to help remove the gold. There is lots of cool stuff up there. Crazy part is that big huge iron water tank has been crushed over the years by the weight of the snow. :eek:

The pics I posted a few weeks ago in this forum were from Carlisle mine, a short ways before WH 1. Several mining tunnels also remain as well as whats left of an old wood-spoked/rubber tired vehicle of some sort buried in the aspens.
Great stuff< Erik!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7361752

Randii

Up near Meadow Lake there are some really cool petroglyphs from the Washoe Indians I believe along with markings from the citizens from Summit City. There is also a cemetery near meadow lake that has graves from the 1860's era. Cool stuff for sure.

And this is exactly the kind of stuff that is cool to know exists but that we don't need to know the exact location of. Sure, most of us would respect it but you know there is going to be someone that will vandalize it.

Thanks for being specifically non specific sierravalley!:D

And this is exactly the kind of stuff that is cool to know exists but that we don't need to know the exact location of. Sure, most of us would respect it but you know there is going to be someone that will vandalize it.

Thanks for being specifically non specific sierravalley!:D





Tinman, I have to say that I don’t like your attitude in regards to this. You are in essence saying that these locations should be kept secret or maybe only a select few preapproved friends would be privies to the locations.

Are we not fighting for our right to equal and unrestricted access our forest lands. Is it not the general feeling of the "tree huggers" (as I call them) that they should be the only ones to access the forest, and maybe a few of their friends.

I totally understand wanting to protect something or some place that is special to you. And I do understand what can happen if somebody post on the internet the location of a cool place. But we are talking about some petroglyphs . I doubt the local gang banger is going to see this post and run up there to be the first to tag the rocks.

I suck at convening my feelings on these issues when I start typing. I just want to say that it is similar to what the "tree huggers" are doing in that you are essentially in support of preventing people from enjoying our historic sites.

I hope that makes sense to someone.

There is something to be said for finding “cool” things without being given the GPS coordinates. When I discover an area of interest by hiking around I’m sure hundreds have been there before me but I enjoy finding it myself. As far as people doing damage…it happens.

I totally understand wanting to protect something or some place that is special to you. And I do understand what can happen if somebody post on the internet the location of a cool place. But we are talking about some petroglyphs . I doubt the local gang banger is going to see this post and run up there to be the first to tag the rocks.

You lost me on this one....what if the petroglyphs are a special place for someone?

Tinman, I have to say that I don’t like your attitude in regards to this. You are in essence saying that these locations should be kept secret or maybe only a select few preapproved friends would be privies to the locations.

Are we not fighting for our right to equal and unrestricted access our forest lands. Is it not the general feeling of the "tree huggers" (as I call them) that they should be the only ones to access the forest, and maybe a few of their friends.

I totally understand wanting to protect something or some place that is special to you. And I do understand what can happen if somebody post on the internet the location of a cool place. But we are talking about some petroglyphs. I doubt the local gang banger is going to see this post and run up there to be the first to tag the rocks.

I suck at convening my feelings on these issues when I start typing. I just want to say that it is similar to what the "tree huggers" are doing in that you are essentially in support of preventing people from enjoying our historic sites.

I hope that makes sense to someone.

It makes sense to me and I respect your opinion of what I said. I am not advocating restricting access to any of the forest, just that some of this stuff doesn't need to be advertised. There are entire trails that are not really publicized so they will not be misused. That's all I'm saying. There are so many people out there now just wanting a cheap thrill like making themselves feel like someone by writing their name on top of several hundred year old petroglyphs. When I visited the Barrett Lake plane crash I was amazed it had not been touched. It's a fine line and I am totally open to discussion on it.

Also, in my defense, I have made a big commitment by being the FOF Chief and spend a lot of my time and resources fighting for access. I too sometimes do not convey my thoughts adequately. I am planning on going up to Fordyce this weekend in the rain and snow to help map out a new committee road that is more sustainable and will help to keep our access OPEN. So all I'm saying is that we need to keep on talking about this and we are all on the same side.

And this is exactly the kind of stuff that is cool to know exists but that we don't need to know the exact location of. Sure, most of us would respect it but you know there is going to be someone that will vandalize it.

Thanks for being specifically non specific sierravalley!:D

I grew up in the area, worked on the Sierraville Ranger District for the Tahoe National Forest for 7 summers. Over the years I have came across some very cool places and I do not intend to share them:flipoff2: Thanks for the compliment Tinman.

And I dont believe my post deserved a PM from some other user on this board trying to monitor my posts.

Tinman brings some good points, its just like hunting out in the Sierra Valley. Half the people there wont share a good hunting spot even if you have known them for years. So get over it, get out and explore, or meet some people who know more than you!!!

I totally understand wanting to protect something or some place that is special to you. And I do understand what can happen if somebody post on the internet the location of a cool place. But we are talking about some petroglyphs . I doubt the local gang banger is going to see this post and run up there to be the first to tag the rocks.

I just want to point out the idiocy of the generalization that the only people who will 'tag' petroglyphs are gang bangers. If you look around the trails you'll see a couple of assholes throwing cans out of their rig, pissing in the rivers, etc, and THEY will be the assholes who deface the glyphs. It only takes ONE of these miserable pricks to deface the petroglyphs and then none of us can ever see them because the area got closed.

I've seen petroglyphs before, I'll see them again and they're wicked cool. Do us all a favor and don't tell anyone where they are.

I just want to point out the idiocy of the generalization that the only people who will 'tag' petroglyphs are gang bangers. If you look around the trails you'll see a couple of assholes throwing cans out of their rig, pissing in the rivers, etc, and THEY will be the assholes who deface the glyphs. It only takes ONE of these miserable pricks to deface the petroglyphs and then none of us can ever see them because the area got closed.

I've seen petroglyphs before, I'll see them again and they're wicked cool. Do us all a favor and don't tell anyone where they are.

Word-up! And thats why they are a secret:smokin:

Tinman,

Do you have the GPS waypoints that go with the map? Could you post them also.

Nice map where did it come from?

I recognize that map! It's from this book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966497651?ie=UTF8&tag=sieclusuc-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0966497651).

Here (http://www.sierraclubsucks.com/products.html) are a few more 4x4 books you might look into also.

Hey there WIKD Hope this answers some of your questions.

Resources:
1. Meadow Lake Mining Town by Paul Fatout
2. Article from mid 1930's? by Clarence Wooster re: Fordyce Region available at Bancroft Library
3. Nevada City Mining Claims office has original claims maps from the area you were in, including the area at the base of old man Mt.
4. Central Pacific Railroad Photo Archives: They Photographed the area from Cisco to Meadow Lake in 1868...Photos available online from the University of California, New York Public Library, Stanford etc...its all from the Alfred Hart collection including shots of Meadow Lake Town with all the Buildings and the Fordyce crossing...then known as the North fork of the south yuba. http://is.gd/fbx4d1 Try Photos 180, 181, 212 for starters.....Here you'll see the only known 1800's photos of Summit City and the Mining Homes along the road between the Fordyce and Meadow Lake.
5. Mining Article about the region by Aubrey Whiskers, Mining Engineer, from the 1930's? Also resides at the Bancroft Library
6. Mines registry book: http://is.gd/61D8wh at pg 600

The area you are talking about has been mined continuously since 1865...the vast majority of mining occurring between 1865 - 1870. By 1870 The Meadow lake Rush was over and the town burned to the ground within 5 or so years. There was renewed mining activity after the market crashes of 1912 http://is.gd/61D8wh where we see evidence of a 9 stamp mill at Excelsior. It is rumored the Hearst Family, that made its original fortune in mining bought and worked many of the tailings in the region...again just a rumor. For certain, the area was worked in the Great Depression as two of the miners were there well into the 1960's and had cabins that are along the road...if they are still upright I'd be surprised. Frank Botosh and Aubrey Whiskers (a Legit mining Engineer) were the two individuals I refer to. They lived rather spartan lives from what I've heard...never hit it rich. The area was worked again in 1982 -84 when Gold prices spiked with teams of helicopter crews setting up large platforms very near the summit of old man mountain....lastly the "New Excelsior" mine a product of the 1990's that is a multi million dollar commercial venture almost certainly a scheme to bilk large investors of their cash.

Historically there were 3 "Towns" in the 1860's. Summit City at Meadow Lake...a legitimate City if only briefly that I'm sure you all know well. Baltimore Town-site...on the shores of Wagon Wheel Lake. (Not at Baltimore Lake) and Lastly the town of Paris at the base of old man Mt near the Carlisle Mines. The latter two towns were probably nothing more than tent "cities" with a few Mining related structures.

The Mines in the area that actually produced gold are as follows:
1. The Montreal & Mowhawk on the shores of Phoenix Lake. About 4 or so short shafts and 1 vertical shaft. The Boilers for the Stamp Mill used to crush Granite are also on the Shore of the Lake to this day. If you know where to look there is a hollowed out tree with a man sized hole for Snowshoe Thompson to wait out Blizzards....or deposit mail...no one is too sure.
2. The Excelsior Mine. In the 70's you could walk deep into this mine...You'd get wet...but it was a good long mine. I know the new excelsior pushed a lot of debris down this way...I think its been hosed.
3. The Carlisle Mines - There is a Carlisle 1 & 2 as I recall... both quite wet and cold. Some pretty cool Formations and Quartz and Crystals can be found here. The townsite was called Paris and people now call it Carlisle. It was named after Thomas Carlysle who was the Chief Miner for one of the big Meadow Lake Mining Companies and he ran the operation down here at the base of Old Man Mt. His name is all over the mining records in Nevada City...the claim was called the US Grant...not the Carlisle.
4. Lastly the US Grant Mine as we call it today but was originally the Washington claim...can be found about 1/2 mile directly above the Carlisle Mines.in fact the Mine and its BRIGHT Silver tailings are VERY visible from Highway 80. This is the best exploratory Mine...or it used to be. It goes a LONG Long way back into the Mountain....I have not been there in 20 years. People tell me its quite dangerous nowadays and the supporting wooden beams are failing? Go there at your own risk.

There are a few other mines in the area well known to locals, hardly worth the effort ...the best 4 are listed above.

The equipment you refer to has mixed origins. I have not been up that road in over a decade but I've been there 50 times so I'll summarize that the Water Tank is NOT of the gold rush era...and the Boiler is almost certainly from one of the few stamp mills of the region either from 1866 or from later secondary investment in 1914(ish). The Bricks...not gold rush related....

The roads out of meadow Lake go pretty close to Baltimore Lake...I have seen them get as far as the baltimore mine...a few 100 yards from Baltimore Lake.

As most of you know Petroglyphs exist at Meadow Lake and at least a half dozen other sites in the region. Most petroglyph sites enjoy great Mountain Vistas. The ones at Donner Summit, Near Rainbow Tavern and on Grouse Ridge are well known and located on various maps...even older USGS maps. However the other sites in the region between Cisco and Meadow Lake are not marked anywhere...but they exist.

If you can find the Mining Report for the region written by Aubrey Whiskers in the 30's or 40's...it is as good a link between the Gold Rush and the Present as you are likely to find....it explains the history, the sites, the mines, and the geology. Good stuff if you are curious about mining and history.

The Picture here from the Carlisle Mine site (Paris) http://is.gd/P5ZvPk shows and old ore bucket that carried ore from the US Grant mine down the mountain to Carlisle. The engine block there is 1930'sish the cable that ran the ore cart up & down is still there and can be followed to the US Grant mine. In the area near the ore bucket there are still square nails from the 1800's laying about. Ditto for the Baltimore/Wagon Wheel townsite....unless the Metal detector zombies have cleaned them out.

A quick word on land. When the CPRR was authorized by Pres Lincoln. The land for 20 miles on each side of the railroad was divided into 1 mile squares like a chess board. Every other mile belonged to the RR or Govt. respectively. SO some land you pass over is US Forest Service...some is private. Makes me wonder about the status of Meadow Lake and Summit City which was all private at one point in time and was the 3rd or 4th largest city in Nevada County...As an officially incorporated town it probably technically qualifies for millions in state and federal funds! Who's running for mayor? Population 1.

In any case hope that answers a few questions...

Here's a copy of the Sign at Meadow Lake

SUMMIT CITY / MEADOW LAKE
IN JUNE OF 1863, THE TRAPPER HENRY HARTLEY DISCOVERED GOLD BEARING ORE HERE AND STAKED OUT THE EXCELSIOR COMPANY CLAIMS. EXAGGERATED REPORTS AND 1865 MARKET PANIC IN THE COMSTOCK MINES OF VIRGINIA CITY BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF MINERS OVERNIGHT TO THE SUPPOSED “LITTLE COMSTOCK” OF SUMMIT CITY. WITHIN TWO YEARS AN INCORPORATED TOWN, RENAMED MEADOW LAKE, GREW TO ENCOMPASS 160 ACRES WITH 4,000 SUMMER RESIDENTS AND OVER 500 BUILDINGS, INCLUDING 200 BUSINESS HOUSES, A STOCK EXCHANGE, DAILY NEWSPAPER, POST OFFICE, SCHOOL, 6 BREWERIES AND 80 SALOONS. STREETS WERE LAID OUT IN GRID FASHION, WITH A 9,000 SQUARE FOOT PLAZA ON THE LAKESHORE. AN EXCURSION VESSEL FERRIED REVELERS TO FOUR HURDY-GURDY HOUSES AT THE LAKE’S UPPER END. THE WINTER OF 1866-67 BROUGHT 30 FEET OF SNOW, WITH SNOWSHOE THOMPSON DELIVERING THE MAIL THROUGH CISCO. IN ALL, THE EIGHT STAMP MILLS IN A DISTRICT OF 10,910 CLAIMS FAILED TO EXTRACT THE EXPECTED GOLD FROM ITS “REBELLIOUS ORE”. THE OPTIMISM FADED, AND THE TOWN DECLINED WITH LIKE RAPIDITY. JULY OF 1869 FOUND 60 RESIDENTS. BY 1873, ONLY HARTLEY “THE HERMIT” REMAINED. HIS GRAVE IS ON A HILLSIDE TO THE WEST OF TOWN.

DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1995,
CLAMPYEAR 6000
BY WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
MAJOR WM. DOWNIE
CHIEF TRUCKEE
CHAPTERS OF E CLAMPUS VITUS

Hey there WIKD Hope this answers some of your questions.

...


Almost a 4-year bump as your first post?!?

USA1776 great information. Thanks for taking the time to post it. :smokin:

the owner's of some of the mining property are going to be up there this weekend. they are doing some maintance by the gate that somebody has went around several times.

if you see them say hi and you just might get a history lesson on the area....

Wow USA1776, Good stuff there.

Love the link to all of the area pictures.:smokin:

Hey there WIKD Hope this answers some of your questions.

Resources:
1. Meadow Lake Mining Town by Paul Fatout
2. Article from mid 1930's? by Clarence Wooster re: Fordyce Region available at Bancroft Library
3. Nevada City Mining Claims office has original claims maps from the area you were in, including the area at the base of old man Mt.
4. Central Pacific Railroad Photo Archives: They Photographed the area from Cisco to Meadow Lake in 1868...Photos available online from the University of California, New York Public Library, Stanford etc...its all from the Alfred Hart collection including shots of Meadow Lake Town with all the Buildings and the Fordyce crossing...then known as the North fork of the south yuba. http://is.gd/fbx4d1 Try Photos 180, 181, 212 for starters.....Here you'll see the only known 1800's photos of Summit City and the Mining Homes along the road between the Fordyce and Meadow Lake.
5. Mining Article about the region by Aubrey Whiskers, Mining Engineer, from the 1930's? Also resides at the Bancroft Library
6. Mines registry book: http://is.gd/61D8wh at pg 600

The area you are talking about has been mined continuously since 1865...the vast majority of mining occurring between 1865 - 1870. By 1870 The Meadow lake Rush was over and the town burned to the ground within 5 or so years. There was renewed mining activity after the market crashes of 1912 http://is.gd/61D8wh where we see evidence of a 9 stamp mill at Excelsior. It is rumored the Hearst Family, that made its original fortune in mining bought and worked many of the tailings in the region...again just a rumor. For certain, the area was worked in the Great Depression as two of the miners were there well into the 1960's and had cabins that are along the road...if they are still upright I'd be surprised. Frank Botosh and Aubrey Whiskers (a Legit mining Engineer) were the two individuals I refer to. They lived rather spartan lives from what I've heard...never hit it rich. The area was worked again in 1982 -84 when Gold prices spiked with teams of helicopter crews setting up large platforms very near the summit of old man mountain....lastly the "New Excelsior" mine a product of the 1990's that is a multi million dollar commercial venture almost certainly a scheme to bilk large investors of their cash.

Historically there were 3 "Towns" in the 1860's. Summit City at Meadow Lake...a legitimate City if only briefly that I'm sure you all know well. Baltimore Town-site...on the shores of Wagon Wheel Lake. (Not at Baltimore Lake) and Lastly the town of Paris at the base of old man Mt near the Carlisle Mines. The latter two towns were probably nothing more than tent "cities" with a few Mining related structures.

The Mines in the area that actually produced gold are as follows:
1. The Montreal & Mowhawk on the shores of Phoenix Lake. About 4 or so short shafts and 1 vertical shaft. The Boilers for the Stamp Mill used to crush Granite are also on the Shore of the Lake to this day. If you know where to look there is a hollowed out tree with a man sized hole for Snowshoe Thompson to wait out Blizzards....or deposit mail...no one is too sure.
2. The Excelsior Mine. In the 70's you could walk deep into this mine...You'd get wet...but it was a good long mine. I know the new excelsior pushed a lot of debris down this way...I think its been hosed.
3. The Carlisle Mines - There is a Carlisle 1 & 2 as I recall... both quite wet and cold. Some pretty cool Formations and Quartz and Crystals can be found here. The townsite was called Paris and people now call it Carlisle. It was named after Thomas Carlysle who was the Chief Miner for one of the big Meadow Lake Mining Companies and he ran the operation down here at the base of Old Man Mt. His name is all over the mining records in Nevada City...the claim was called the US Grant...not the Carlisle.
4. Lastly the US Grant Mine as we call it today but was originally the Washington claim...can be found about 1/2 mile directly above the Carlisle Mines.in fact the Mine and its BRIGHT Silver tailings are VERY visible from Highway 80. This is the best exploratory Mine...or it used to be. It goes a LONG Long way back into the Mountain....I have not been there in 20 years. People tell me its quite dangerous nowadays and the supporting wooden beams are failing? Go there at your own risk.

There are a few other mines in the area well known to locals, hardly worth the effort ...the best 4 are listed above.

The equipment you refer to has mixed origins. I have not been up that road in over a decade but I've been there 50 times so I'll summarize that the Water Tank is NOT of the gold rush era...and the Boiler is almost certainly from one of the few stamp mills of the region either from 1866 or from later secondary investment in 1914(ish). The Bricks...not gold rush related....

The roads out of meadow Lake go pretty close to Baltimore Lake...I have seen them get as far as the baltimore mine...a few 100 yards from Baltimore Lake.

As most of you know Petroglyphs exist at Meadow Lake and at least a half dozen other sites in the region. Most petroglyph sites enjoy great Mountain Vistas. The ones at Donner Summit, Near Rainbow Tavern and on Grouse Ridge are well known and located on various maps...even older USGS maps. However the other sites in the region between Cisco and Meadow Lake are not marked anywhere...but they exist.

If you can find the Mining Report for the region written by Aubrey Whiskers in the 30's or 40's...it is as good a link between the Gold Rush and the Present as you are likely to find....it explains the history, the sites, the mines, and the geology. Good stuff if you are curious about mining and history.

The Picture here from the Carlisle Mine site (Paris) http://is.gd/P5ZvPk shows and old ore bucket that carried ore from the US Grant mine down the mountain to Carlisle. The engine block there is 1930'sish the cable that ran the ore cart up & down is still there and can be followed to the US Grant mine. In the area near the ore bucket there are still square nails from the 1800's laying about. Ditto for the Baltimore/Wagon Wheel townsite....unless the Metal detector zombies have cleaned them out.

A quick word on land. When the CPRR was authorized by Pres Lincoln. The land for 20 miles on each side of the railroad was divided into 1 mile squares like a chess board. Every other mile belonged to the RR or Govt. respectively. SO some land you pass over is US Forest Service...some is private. Makes me wonder about the status of Meadow Lake and Summit City which was all private at one point in time and was the 3rd or 4th largest city in Nevada County...As an officially incorporated town it probably technically qualifies for millions in state and federal funds! Who's running for mayor? Population 1.

In any case hope that answers a few questions...

Here's a copy of the Sign at Meadow Lake

SUMMIT CITY / MEADOW LAKE
IN JUNE OF 1863, THE TRAPPER HENRY HARTLEY DISCOVERED GOLD BEARING ORE HERE AND STAKED OUT THE EXCELSIOR COMPANY CLAIMS. EXAGGERATED REPORTS AND 1865 MARKET PANIC IN THE COMSTOCK MINES OF VIRGINIA CITY BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF MINERS OVERNIGHT TO THE SUPPOSED “LITTLE COMSTOCK” OF SUMMIT CITY. WITHIN TWO YEARS AN INCORPORATED TOWN, RENAMED MEADOW LAKE, GREW TO ENCOMPASS 160 ACRES WITH 4,000 SUMMER RESIDENTS AND OVER 500 BUILDINGS, INCLUDING 200 BUSINESS HOUSES, A STOCK EXCHANGE, DAILY NEWSPAPER, POST OFFICE, SCHOOL, 6 BREWERIES AND 80 SALOONS. STREETS WERE LAID OUT IN GRID FASHION, WITH A 9,000 SQUARE FOOT PLAZA ON THE LAKESHORE. AN EXCURSION VESSEL FERRIED REVELERS TO FOUR HURDY-GURDY HOUSES AT THE LAKE’S UPPER END. THE WINTER OF 1866-67 BROUGHT 30 FEET OF SNOW, WITH SNOWSHOE THOMPSON DELIVERING THE MAIL THROUGH CISCO. IN ALL, THE EIGHT STAMP MILLS IN A DISTRICT OF 10,910 CLAIMS FAILED TO EXTRACT THE EXPECTED GOLD FROM ITS “REBELLIOUS ORE”. THE OPTIMISM FADED, AND THE TOWN DECLINED WITH LIKE RAPIDITY. JULY OF 1869 FOUND 60 RESIDENTS. BY 1873, ONLY HARTLEY “THE HERMIT” REMAINED. HIS GRAVE IS ON A HILLSIDE TO THE WEST OF TOWN.

DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 17, 1995,
CLAMPYEAR 6000
BY WM. BULL MEEK - WM. MORRIS STEWART
MAJOR WM. DOWNIE
CHIEF TRUCKEE
CHAPTERS OF E CLAMPUS VITUS

WOW! Thanks very much for taking the time to reply with all this information:D I looked thru a lot of the pictures in the links and they are cool :smokin:
Hoping to get some extra time next trip up to Fordyce to take a hike and explore a bit. Every time we go there we've never really had a chance to explore.

I dont think there is any harm in posting pics of the petroglyphs. These pics are a few years old but I came across them on the computer recently and remembered this thread.

Also I took the time to go see the Kyburz Flat Intrepetive on my way out from Trek this year. No pics but there is a bit of history to check out there. It's only 1 mile off Hyw 89. :smokin:

Oh and Brett and Jeff I owe you and apology. Apparently there are those who will deface things like this.