Saturday we went in search of the Signal Beacon footings (or concrete Arrow) that a 1932 map told us is located at the highest point of Sailor Ridge. We started at the Texas Hill entry and drove in about 8/10ths of a mile on the Ridge via a pretty bumpy dirt road. We stopped and hiked several areas that were high, yet flat on top - but no concrete anywhere. Eventually, the road became too narrow for the truck - and we decided to try the other end of the ridge (from North Fork Road).
1932 Map
North Fork Road starts just after the Sierra Woods Lodge. It is also a pretty bumpy dirt road (last year's storms left many wash outs and ruts). We drove past the old Quarry (granite - not sure if it was used for the transcontinental or the freeway) and up the ridge. The road is pretty steep for a bit, then levels out at the upper North Fork of the North Fork of the American River. At that point, there were 3 forks in the road (one of which was Sailor Ridge Road and none of which were marked). We decided to try the left fork and ended up crossing a 1935 wood forest service bridge near some summer cabins that we have never seen before.
I got out of the truck to ask directions and ended up meeting some very delightful people who are the grandchildren of Laing (of Laing's Pioneer Resort). They told us that their grandfather had purchased the resort buildings fully furnished and had planned to put in an ice skating rink at Emigrant Gap. The only problem was the altitude. Since Emigrant Gap is at 5200 feet, the water seldom freezes hard enough for a skating rink. As a result, Mr. Laing built a ski area (J-bar) across the road from the Resort. People used to drive up highway 40 to ski at the resort (many stayed at Laing's and our Emigrant Gap Hotel).
Both of the Laing grandchildren told me they went to school at the Emigrant Gap School and one of them actually carried the Olympic Torch for part of the delivery for the 1960 Olympics (just like the son of the Nyack Lodge).
I am hoping the Laing descendants stop by the lodge sometime so that they can share their history for our blog. For now, I think I have pretty much decided that Laing bought the old Carpenter Hotel (see the Carpenter story on the history pages of this blog). Since the Laing Resort was located on the same spot as the Carpenter hotel.
We headed back to the lodge to pick up Mary and Lynn, then back to the three forks to try to head up the ridge. Alas, we were greeted by a gate which had a sign "do not lock" with a very large padlock on it.
Sunday we headed out to Webber Lake. The lake is about 20 miles north west of Truckee and has just recently been openned to the public after 100 years of private ownership. It was purchased by a conservator group and they are adding campsites as well as preserving most of the vintage outbuildings at the lake. The lake itself is just gorgeous. It is a natural lake so the shore eases into the water and there is grass growing almost to the shores. The water is clear and cool (not cold). The surrounding mountains are still capped with snow. And at the end of the lake there is a nice "saddle" between the mountains to create a great view for sunsets. The sight has a 150 year old hotel, an old store and assorted summer fishing cottages that are as old as can be while still able to stand.
Here are some URLs for the lake:
http://northernsierrapartnership.org/project/webber-lake-and-lacey-meadows/
http://tdlandtrust.org/webber-lakelacey-meadows
After Mary. Lynn, Jim and I walked along the shore for a while, we decided to head to Webber Falls (which is on the east end of the lake). What a sight! The falls takes two drops (one about 15 feet, the other about 75 feet) into a 90 foot deep gorge. Most of the rock looks rather volcanic, definitely uplifted in the area and around the falls, it looks a lot like Devils Postpile near Rainbow falls at Mammoth. People jump or climb down the rocks into the first drop which has a 30 by 20 foot pool at it's base. From there, they can look over the rock edge and down into the gorge. (Photos to follow)
While at the falls, we thought that one of the loose rocks looked like it might have a petroglpyth on it. The shape of the carving looked like an upside down apple with an arrow shaft on the top. And another carving that looked like a bear. Not sure if anyone else has discovered this rock - but I hope that if they do, they leave it be.
Webber Falls URL:
http://www.calexplornia.com/webber-falls-sierra-countys-little-known-waterfall/
After sitting at the falls for a bit, we decided to head over to Sierraville for lunch. Sierraville downtown is only about 1/2 block long and has a vintage hotel, an antique shop, a feed and grain store and 2 small restaurants. Lunch was at one of the restaurants (Mexican cuisine) that has some pretty good Chili Rellenos.
After Lunch we drove down the road (49 toward Loyalton) a bit and veered off to check out a Hot Springs Resort that is in the area (a future trip to the Hot Springs is in our plans). The resort is pretty laid back, and very hippie with some areas being clothing optional. There are at least 3 hot springs pools there, a hotel, and a small cafe.
http://www.sierrahotsprings.org
Headed back to the lodge just in time to say farewell to Mary, Lynn and Mom. Then headed out ourselves on Monday morning. Of course, next time we are at the lodge it will be back to projects - but this weekend was a special time!
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