Author: Rick Rockwell
Mosquito Ridge Rd. Bridge also known as North Fork Bridge or “Circle Bridge”
My journey along Mosquito Ridge Rd. surprisingly brought me to this uniquely built bridge. Initially, I was heading eastbound on Mosquito Ridge Rd. from the town of Foresthill to Big Trees Grove and then French Meadow Reservoir. The road was very winding with many switchbacks through the Foresthill Divide. And if you get held up by...
Big Trees Grove: Placer County’s giant sequoia anomaly
For many visitors, this grove represents a chance to walk amongst some of the oldest trees on the planet. These six sequoias are thought to be between 1000 and 2000 years old. In 1855, a gold prospector by the name of Joe Matlock discovered these trees. By 1892, the U.S. Forest Service began protecting these …...
Michigan Bluff: From gold to Leland Stanford, this town was the envy of its day
This town used to be a booming place that rivaled any other town in Placer County during the gold rush era. In fact, one could make an argument for this town being the best of them all. A few homes, a cemetery, a small store and several historical markers are all that remains of this once prominent …...
The tale of St. Joseph’s Church Bell
The parish decided to raise $3500 for a church bell to be added to St. Joseph. The bell was cast in Sheffield and then delivered to Boston. It would then be shipped around the Horn to San Francisco. By boat, the bell was taken to Sacramento where it was transported via cart with 6 horses to …...
Cemeteries of the Foresthill Divide
If you like taking pictures of old cemeteries then check out the following the next time you visit the Foresthill Divide: Foresthill Protestant Historic Cemetery – The Foresthill cemetery dates back until at least 1858 which is the oldest monument dated in the cemetery. The cemetery was in response to the hard lives and harsh...
Foresthill: Where the gold rush meets quaintness
Founded In 1850, three gentlemen by the names of M. Fannan, James Fannan and R. S. Johnson built an establishment named the Forest House. These 3 traders were presumably heading into the region to look for gold as Yankee Jims, which is 3 miles north-northwest of Foresthill, had already discovered gold in 1849. Later in …...
Foresthill Divide: Where history, legendary tales and adventures await
Towns were built overnight after the discovery of gold between 1849 and 1851. This precious commodity, which turned America upside down, was flowing from the mines like the American River through the nearby hills and canyons. The early days of this region birthed many places, events and legends. Although most of the original mining...
Mexican Gulch Waterfall: a tropical paradise in Placer County
This waterfall is named after the Mexican Gulch region which is located about 0.6 miles south of Devils Canyon and Devils Falls. The Waterfall This two-tiered waterfall is best seen if you climb up the slippery rocks and walk about 15 feet toward the upper portion of the waterfall. Make sure you slowly walk across …...
Devils Falls: Giving the devil its due
Yankee Jims Road runs directly through this canyon on its way south to Foresthill. Along Yankee Jims road you will find Devils Falls located about 5.6 miles south of Colfax. The Waterfall Devils Falls is roughly 50 to 60 feet high. When flowing at its peak, the waterfall splits into two distinct streams of water. …...
Bunch Canyon Falls: a historical hiking adventure
It’s located on Bunch Canyon creek which flows through Bunch Canyon. This creek is historically significant due to its part in the gold rush era of Placer County. Bunch Creek History According to various historical accounts, after miners found gold along Bunch Creek a camp quickly sprung up. The camp, which was located about 1/2...
