Near Calpine in Sierra County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Crossing the Summit - Weather or Not

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 7, 2016

1. Crossing the Summit - Weather or Not Marker

Inscription. In 1852 a pack trail was blazed from Sierra Valley over the summit to the placer mines of the North Yuba. Originally packers transported hay but within a few years this trade included beef, butter, barley, oats, hogs, and poultry.

On April 24, 1860, the Sierra Democrat reported that a 73-mule train packed a disassembled stage over Yuba Pass from Sierra Valley. The stage was reassembled in Downieville and driven by Ike Green on the Middle North Yuba Trail from Downieville to Jamison City, which is now Plumas-Eureka State Park.

In 1861-62 a road was completed from Downieville to Sierra City. The Sierra County Board of Supervisors then contracted for a road to be built from Sierra City to Sierraville but it was not completed until 1870. The Yuba Gap Wagon Road/Sierra Valley Turnpike collected tolls for several years.

Erected by Tahoe National Forest, Downieville Chamber of Commerce, Sierra County Historical Society, California Department of Transportation and the Downieville Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 39° 36.996′ N, 120° 29.404′

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W. Marker is near Calpine, California, in Sierra County. Marker is at the intersection of Yuba Pass Road and California Route 49, on the right when traveling south on Yuba Pass Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Calpine CA 96124, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of Howard Ranch and Inn 1865 (approx. 5.4 miles away); Memorial (approx. 7.6 miles away); Busch & Heringlake Building (approx. 8.4 miles away); Miner’s Hotel (approx. 8.6 miles away); Webber Lake Hotel (approx. 9.7 miles away); Henness – Zumwalt Pass (approx. 9.7 miles away); Here Today – Gone Tomorrow (approx. 9.8 miles away); Central California Traction Company 24 (approx. 12.9 miles away).

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 7, 2016

2. Crossing the Summit - Weather or Not Marker

Detail Photograph and Text from the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alvis Hendley

3. Detail Photograph and Text from the Marker

In the winter horse-drawn sleighs and sleds were used to travel in the snow. Horses were fitted with nine-inch square metal shoes with rubber and canvas on the top for the horse's comfort and to prevent frostbite.

Detail Photograph from the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 7, 2016

4. Detail Photograph from the Marker

Detail Map and Text from the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 7, 2016

5. Detail Map and Text from the Marker

State Highway 49 is a 295-mile long road between Oakhurst in Madera County to Loyalton in Sierra County. The segment between Yuba Pass and the Middle Yuba River was constructed between 1918 and 1920 using convict laborers. The completion of Highway 49 allowed travelers easy access to Downieville and the Sierra Buttes/Gold Lake region.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 285 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2016, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.