Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stanislaus River is more accessible with class III rapids.
Sierra Mac River Trips
(
www.aorafting.com
; from $164)
both have good reputations and run trips of one day or more
on multiple rivers.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
HISTORIC SITE
( 209-984-3953;
www.railtown1897.org
; 18115 5th Ave, Jamestown; adult/child $5/3, incl train ride
$15/8;
9:30am-4:30pm Apr-Oct, 10am-3pm Nov-Mar, train rides 11am-3pm Sat & Sun Apr-Oct;
)
Five blocks south of Jamestown's Main St, this 26-acre, state-operated collection of trains
and railroad equipment is the photogenic sister to Sacramento's rail museum. It's served as
backdrop for countless films and TV shows including
Back to the Future III
,
Unforgiven
and
High Noon
. On some weekends and holidays (hourly from 11am to 3pm) you can ride
the narrow-gauge railroad that once transported ore, lumber and miners.
Though today it has been shortened to a quick 3-mile circuit, it's still the best train ride
in Gold Country. Ask the passionate volunteers to show you the roundhouse and restored
station, or just wander. There's a lyrical romance to the place, where an explosion of or-
ange poppies grow among the rusting shells of steel goliaths, and the air is spiced with
creosote, campfire and pine.
Tuolumne County Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.tchistory.org
; 158 W Bradford St, Sonora; 10am-4pm Mon-Fri, to 3:30pm Sat)
In the former 1857 Tuolumne County Jail, two blocks west of Washington St is this inter-
esting museum with a fortune's worth of gold on display.
California Gold Panning Lessons
OUTDOORS
( 209-694-6768;
www.gold-panning-california.com
;
17712 Harvard Mine Rd, Jamestown; from $60;
9am-3pm Jun-Oct, or by appointment)
Miner John and his experienced crew provide boots and all needed equipment for a genu-
ine experience panning at Woods Creek and beyond. Be warned, real prospecting involves
lots of digging. A couple hours in, you'll have gold fever, a blister or both. Take a right
onto Harvard Mine Road and drive to the parking lot with a 'Gold Panning' sign. Best to
call ahead.
