Truckee, California

While in the area we did a Jeep road trip to visit friends Paul and Julie who recently relocated to Auburn, California

My funny, surprise Birthday treat

Prosser Creek Reservoir

Stampede Reservoir

 Historically, Henness Pass Road was a travel route used by Native Americans and then immigrants and local mining communities during the Gold Rush era. Henness Pass is named for Patrick Henness, who is credited with developing the route in 1849-1850 as an alternative to Donner Pass. Beginning in the late 1850's, the road was a major supply route for the silver and gold mines in Nevada. Freight was brought by steamboat from San Francisco up the Sacramento River to Marysville. From there it was carried by wagons, with part of the route being via the Bridgeport Covered Bridge and the Virginia Turnpike which connected to the road to Henness Pass at North San Juan.

The Henness Pass Road was included in the Lincoln Highway, the country's first transcontinental highway system. It continued to carry wagon and later automobile traffic between Truckee and Verdi until the completion of the last portion of the Victory Highway (later Highway 40) through the Truckee River Canyon in 1925.

More's Station

A walking tour of what was once here

More used materials he had around him to build the corral.  Rocks were cleared and stacked into low rock walls to hold the fence posts.

More's Barn

A vital place for resting, feeding and sheltering stock animals and making needed repairs.

More's Well Station

Way stations were always located with an eye to water and fuel for cooking and heating.  

Five feet beyond this sign you will see an indentation.  This was the site of the station's well and the source for fresh drinking water.  The well was 40 feet deep.  Water had to be hand pumped to the surface as needed.

More's Hotel

Two feet beyond this sign once stood a thriving hotel.  After a long, dusty day on the road, travelers could find a hearty meal and a place to rest.

Kyburz Flat was described in 1864 as a ranch of 320 acres, with a hotel, barn and stables. Today it is know for an American Indian petroglyph. Some researchers believe this petroglyph was made by native people who lived in the area as early as 2,000 years ago. 

This petroglyph is made up of small round pits called cupules that have been ground into the rock's surface.  Cupule petroglyphs are found all over the world and particularly in California.  Cupules have been linked with ceremonial activities performed by Native Americans such as fertility rituals, weather control and places to leave special offerings.

The valley and surrounding hills were used extensively for grazing and lumbering.  Basques began arriving from their homeland in Spain in the early 1900's to tend and graze sheep.

Wheeler Sheep Camp operated circa 1913-1958. 

The oven is fully operational and may be reserved for use by the public.

Wanta have a party?