Near Butte Meadows in Tehama County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lassen Trail - Bruff's Camp

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2015

1. Lassen Trail - Bruff's Camp Marker

Inscription. "The top of this hill is a narrow flat surface -... the hill is covered with tent wagons, oxen, mules, horses, men women, and children; some camps are on either side of the road, for several miles back." - J. Goldbrough Bruff, Oct 21, 1849
Guidebook available
Trails West Inc., P.O. Box 12045, Reno, NV 89510

Erected 2014 by Trails West Inc. (Marker Number L-55.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Lassen Trail and Burnett Cutoff, and the Trails West Inc. series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 21, 1849.

Location. 40° 9.882′ N, 121° 40.56′ W. Marker is near Butte Meadows, California, in Tehama County. Marker is on Forest Service Road 27N08 (Lassen Trail) near California Route 32, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Forest Ranch CA 95942, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bruff's Camp (a few steps from this marker); Lassen Trail - The Narrows (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lassen Trail - Unrecognizable Emigrants (approx. 2.6 miles away); History of the Lassen Trail

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(approx. 2.6 miles away); Welcome to the Ishi Wilderness (approx. 2.6 miles away); Lassen Trail - Mill Creek Overlook (approx. 4.6 miles away); Lassen Trail - The Last Summit (approx. 6 miles away); Katie Thompson – Mattie Thompson – Josie Campbell (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Butte Meadows.

More about this marker. There are no signs identifying Forest Service Road 27N08 or Lassen Trail. This marker is approximately 21 miles from the intersection of Highway 32 and FS 27N08. The Bruff's Camp area was recently devastated by a forest fire.

Regarding Lassen Trail - Bruff's Camp. An earlier Bruff's Camp maker placed by Trails West, Inc. bore the following inscription:

Alford Family Grave

Bruff's Camp

While traveling the Lassen Trail, Ormond Alford, 54, William M. Alford, 19, Lorenzo D. Alford, 15, and John W. Cameron, 22, were killed in their sleep by a falling tree, October 31, 1849.

Also see . . .
1. Bruff's Camp - Geocaching. Bruff led his party as far
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 18, 2015

2. Lassen Trail - Bruff's Camp Marker
as the ridge which divides Mill Creek and Deer Creek. By this time, they had only enough mules to pull four of their six wagons, and many of the men were sick and disgruntled. Bruff made the decision that the rest of the group would continue on to Lassen's ranch, and volunteered to remain behind to guard the remaining two wagons and gear. (Submitted on August 26, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. Joseph Goldsborough Bruff - Wikipedia. In 1820, Bruff was appointed to West Point. However, he was forced to resign after only two years because he was involved in a duel, which was a serious violation of military regulations. After leaving West Point, he signed onto the crew of a merchant ship as a cabin boy. He spent the next five years traveling around the world as an itinerant seaman. This included at least three years as an acting Master's Mate on a United States Navy Ship. (Submitted on August 26, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Bruff's Camp image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Goldbrough Bruff, circa 1849

3. Bruff's Camp

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.