This adventure ride explores the best dirt roads, back roads and forgotten mining camps in the remote corners of the Calaveras Gold County. The Calaveras Gold Country dual sport adventure ride ventures south on back roads and dirt roads to the forgotten mining communities of Campo Seco, Mountain Ranch and Sheep Ranch. Gold was first discovered by Oregon prospectors who worked the rich placer deposits during 1849 and named the town Oregon Gulch. Mexicans from Sonora moved into the area to work the rich gravels and soon changed the name to Campo Seco, which means “Dry Camp,” because the lack of water. During the early days of this once thriving mining town forty different nationalities were represented among the miners, making it perhaps the most cosmopolitan of all the mining camps in the Gold Country. Campo Seco once had three hotels, several saloons, three brothels, livery stable, post office, two churches, restaurants, stores and a brewery. Campo Seco is now a sleepy little community off the beaten path with historic stone structures, rock walls and a few remaining historic homes scattered across the hills sides and home to the largest cork oak tree in California. The historic cork oak tree was imported from Portugal and planted in 1858 by the California Mexican miners to provide cork material for the town brewery. Today Campo Seco is a forgotten mining town off the beaten path to most people but the mining history of Campo Seco is still alive and well to “Campo Seco Doug” who is one of the town residents and the owner of the historic cork oak tree. “Campo Seco Doug” is a walking encyclopedia of the history of this once thriving mining town of Campo Seco and the surrounding California Gold Country. While traveling through town you may be lucky enough to meet “Campo Seco Doug” while exploring the stone structures in town or meet him and his old donkey near the historic cork oak tree. Be sure to say Hi, to “Campo Seco Doug.” After your visit at Campo Seco your adventure continues on back roads and dirt roads to the historic mining town of Mountain Ranch and the forgotten mining town of Sheep Ranch which are located on the Sierran East Gold Belt. Mountain Ranch post office was established in 1858 and in 1868 it was moved 1.5 miles south to a town called El Dorado Camp, as there was already an El Dorado post office in CA, El Dorado Camp became known as Mountain Ranch. The historic little post office located on the old main street is no longer in use but at one time it was billed as the world’s smallest post office. California Caverns once known as Cave City Cave is located near Mountain Ranch and was once visited by Bret Harte, Mark Twain, John Muir and said to be the hide out for the legendary Gold Rush bandit Joaquin Murrieta. After visiting Mountain Ranch your adventure continues further off the beaten path to the forgotten mining town of Sheep Ranch. The fabulous Sheep Ranch Mine produced more than 8 million dollars in gold while in operation. Senator George Heart, father of William Randolph Hearst and associates acquired the mine in 1877. The Hearst firm operated the mine continuously until 1893 and produced an estimated 4 million dollars in gold, and reached a depth of 1,400 feet. By 1942, when finally closed, the mine had reach 3,100 feet in depth. The closing of the gold mine and general store in town marks the end of the heyday in Sheep Ranch with an old fuel pump advertising 18 cents a gallon for gas. During its heyday the town of Sheep Ranch supported 15 saloons, a general store, two churches, a brick school house and two hotels the Eagle Hotel and the prominent Pioneer Hotel which is located at the end of Main Street. The historic Pioneer Hotel regained some fame for a brief period during the summer of 1982 when it was featured as the whorehouse in the Clint Eastwood movie “Honkytonk Man”.

Calaveras Gold Country Adventure Ride

*This dual sport adventure ride is perfect for medium to large dual sport bikes.

*Off-road terrain is rated “moderate” with lots of gold rush history & adventure.

*Ride distance: 200 miles round trip (30% Dirt – 70% Back-Roads)

*One gas stop (additional gas stop available if required)

*Lunch at halfway point (Note: Lunch not included)

*Rain or Shine – unpredictable weather is part of the adventure!!!

Date: Saturday April 17, 2010

Meeting Time: 8:45 a.m.

Meeting Location: Chevron in El Dorado Hills Ca

4316 Town Center Boulevard El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-7101

Fee: $75 per rider

$25 off if you pre-register by: April 10, 2010

Pre-Register now!

*Contact: Mark at (916) 212-2232

*Questions email: markg@SierraNevadaAdventures.com

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