If you are ready for some fun whitewater rafting or kayaking, come to Coloma. The South Fork American River has guaranteed flows most days out of the week, and the Middle and North Forks are great options too! We have many outfitters equipped to take you and your group on a rafting trip that is right for you, from gentle to wild. See our Whitewater Rafting Directory for a list of licensed and experienced whitewater outfitters.
This is also a great place to learn and build whitewater kayak skills, and you can choose from several kayak schools in the area.
Even better, the River Store Shuttle is running for its second season. Leave the headaches behind and spend all your energy riding the river, not the roads!
Enjoy lots of fun on the water at the American River Festival September 11-13. It's a good time for kids and families as well as whitewater playboaters and slalom racing competitors. The weekend also offers great music, food, and a chance to check out all the latest gear. Come to Coloma-Lotus and enjoy!
p.s. Thanks to Hotshot Imaging for letting us use another of their great American River rafting photos!
Imagine being able to travel on foot, bicycle or horse from the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area all the way to the rural beauty of the South Fork American River in the Coloma-Lotus Valley. Imagine doing so on a trail dedicated to recreation and the enjoyment of oak woodlands, conifer, chaparral, and the riverside.
That long-held hope is now on its way to being a reality. The final land parcel that completes the 20-mile route (see a PDF map) was sold by a couple who decided to protect its natural habitat for the public to enjoy. Funds that purchased it were provided by the State Wildlife Conservation Board, the State Resources Agency's River Parkways Grant Program, and over 400 private donors. All this, plus the work that had been done on the rest of the trail route, was coordinated by the American River Conservancy (ARC).
The 20-mile trail has been 20 years in the making. Its completion is a source of great excitement for those who have been hoping and working for it since 1989, as well as the many who have come along since then and enjoy the prospect of traveling so far in the richness of nature in their own back yards.
Funds are still needed to bring the trail into reality. The ARC estimates it will cost $175K to complete trail construction and provide a few pedestrian bridges at stream crossings and interpretive signage at the trailheads. The official ribbon cutting is planned for the late spring of 2010. Contributions to the South Fork American River Trail Campaign can be sent to: The American River Conservancy, P.O. Box 562, Coloma, CA. 95613. For further information regarding trail project donations, please contact: David Morrill, ARC Marketing and Development Director at (530) 621-1224.
The completion of the South Fork American River Trail brings an even greater dream closer to reality. With regional coordination, it could become a key segment within a larger regional trail that would span the approximately 50 miles from downtown Sacramento (Sutter’s Fort) to Coloma (Sutter’s Mill). Parcel by parcel, this dream is moving to reality.
The 161st anniversary of James Marshall’s momentous discovery of gold in the tailrace of Sutter’s Mill will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 10 am to 4 pm at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Highway 49, in Coloma.
The day features a gold discovery re-enactment along the American River, at the very site where James Marshall found gold in 1848. The event will have mill carpenter demonstrations at the saw mill, gold panning, cooking, blacksmithing and Gold Rush period music and entertainment. Gold Rush authors will introduce their writings and sign publications at the museum store. In addition to the Gold Discovery festivities, the museum and visitor center will open at 10 AM.
What's it all about? It's an event that changed the world. It started as a piece of ambitious business: in 1847, John Sutter asked James Marshall to build a sawmill along the banks of the American River. Sutter needed lumber for his expanding agricultural enterprises in California’s Sacramento Valley and Marshall, a carpenter, was looking for a job. Marshall and Sutter chose Coloma as the site for the sawmill. It provided a rushing river for power and a forest of pines for lumber. As the sawmill neared completion in January 1848, it became clear that the tailrace, where the water leaves the mill, needed to be deepened. Marshall’s solution was to use the force of the water itself to scour out a deeper channel.
Then came the extraordinary moment. On the morning of January 24, 1848, James Marshall was standing in a shallow pool of water in the tailrace when he noticed a glimmering rock the size of his fingernail. “Hey boys,” he called out to the workmen around him, “by God, I believe I’ve found a gold mine.” It was a moment that was to change the course of history. It was the start of the California Gold Rush -- with all its excitement, pains, and hopes.
Enjoy this special commemorative day, visit the park that features a Miwok Bark House and a Chinese Store, and see park volunteers and docents in period dress bring the gold discovery to life. Parking on this special day is $7 per car. For more information call (530) 622-3470 or (530) 295-2162.
And do come back -- visitors are welcome to visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and enjoy the river, all year round. The Park is open from 8 am to 5 pm, and the Museum is open from 10am to 3pm seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. The Park is located on Hwy 49, between Placerville and Auburn, about 1 hour east of Sacramento. The event is sponsored by the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
Come enjoy the second annual American River Music Festival, whose mission is teaching, inspiring, and enjoying music. The three-day festival features various types of acoustic music from throughout North America: Cajun, classic Americana folk, rock, roots music, folk, blues, folk rock, cloggers, flute & drum, and more! Artists include The Buccaneers, John Wort Hannam, The Refugees, Ray Bonneville, the David Jacobs-Strain Trio, Keith Greeninger with Dayan Kai, Joe Craven with Sam Bevin, Steppin' In It, Gandolf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Blame Sally, and more.
The main stage is in Henningsen-Lotus Park, in Lotus, California, and many area campgrounds are participating with their own intimate musical stages. The festival is expanded this year to include a complete musical Friday. There will be 24 music performances and workshops over the 3 days, including Jammin 101 with Sid Lewis from Chico which is open to anyone staying at participating campgrounds or volunteering for the event, who are ready to learn that they too have musical ability!
There will be kids' activities in the park, a free shuttle to and from participating campgrounds, and special events such as music and rafting on the South Fork American River, naturalist-led musical hikes, and music in the schools. The Buccaneers will be visiting four local elementary schools to lead students through Canada's history and geography, intertwined with shanties and music. The band Steppin' in It will visit Golden Sierra High School and present two complete, complimentary high school performances of their educational piece that covers eight genres of music, and history.
Many local organizations, individuals, sponsors, and agencies have cooperated to make this festival so comprehensive and exciting. "The community has been fabulous about supporting the festival, top to bottom," reports festival organizer Matt Semonsen. Come on out and camp, hike, boat, and listen to great music!
Advance ticket prices are: $35 for single-day main stage tickets, $89 for three-day camping and all music, $189 for three-day camping, a river trip, and all music, and $219 for the all-inclusive package of three-day camping, river trip, all meals, and all music. Purchase tickets at the American River Music Festival website or call (530) 622-6044.
There may still be space for members of the local community to volunteer with the event. If interested, contact Alice Butler, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@americanrivermusic.org.
The 27th Annual American River Festival is expanded with shore activities, more fun for families, as well as more activities and competitions for seasoned and beginning paddlers. Come watch and participate in this fun weekend on water and land! Centered in Henningsen-Lotus Park (HLP), in Lotus, California, land activities include games, food, music, nonprofit and exhibitor booths, and great spectator seats. River games and activities include races for those of all abilities, including a rodeo at First Threat, slalom races at Chili Bar, and raft and Topo Duo kayak races that end at HLP. Kids can participate in up to three fun fests on Saturday and Sunday!
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with a free dinner and movie showing at The River Store, 1032 Lotus Road in Lotus, CA 95651. Registration for weekend events is available there ($5-$15 per event, with a package discount), and on Saturday & Sunday mornings at HLP.
Saturday night is the big party at EarthTrek - dinner, live music, auctions, and an awards ceremony. Tickets for the party are $25. Call or visit The River Store at 530-626-3435, or email robin@TheRiverStore.com, for party tickets -- and also if you would like to volunteer to help this great event be as fun as it possibly can. The ARF benefits several river-focused nonprofits.
The 160th anniversary of James Marshall’s momentous discovery of gold in the tailrace of Sutter’s Mill will be celebrated on January 26, 2008, from 10 am to 4 pm at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Hiway 49, in Coloma.
In 1847, John Sutter asked James Marshall to build a sawmill along the banks of the American River. Sutter needed lumber for his expanding agricultural enterprises in the Sacramento Valley and Marshall, a carpenter, was looking for a job. Marshall and Sutter chose Coloma as the site for the sawmill because of the rushing river for power and a forest of pines for lumber. As the sawmill neared completion in January 1848, James Marshall contemplated its efficiency and made adjustments. Checking his project on the morning of January 24, 1848, James Marshall reached into shallow water at the side of the tailrace. He scooped up a handful of sand, gravel, mud... and a few flakes of golden metal. "Hey boys," he lifted his voice to workmen around him, "by God, I believe I've found a gold mine." It was a moment that was to change the course of history.
Gold Discovery Day will feature a gold discovery reenactment on the banks of the American River. Other activities include mill carpenter demonstrations, a Miwok Village, free wagon rides to Marshall's Cabin, gold panning, and Gold Rush period music and entertainment. Gold Rush authors introduce their writings and sign publications at the museum store. The public is invited to all these activities, free of charge. There is a $7 per car parking fee at the State Park.
California State Parks and Gold Discovery Park Association — a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park — sponsor Gold Discovery Day. Park volunteers and docents in period dress bring the event to life. For more information call 530.622.3470 or click here.
Many artists, stores and businesses in the Coloma Lotus Valley are ready to help with your holiday shopping. Shopping locally saves gas, time and money by staying close to home. Many businesses have extended hours to make gift-buying easier. Consider these local choices:
Gold Hill Olive Oil: Just releasing their new 2008 locally grown and crushed olive oils, many varieties available.
The River Store: Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe, kayaks, boating gear, and free cookies made by Dan Crandall's mom!
The Golden Gecko Plant Nursery: Gift cards, stocking stuffers, items for the home gardener, Golden Gecko T-shirts, sweat shirts, and aprons.
The American River Nature Center: Nature books for adults and children, or click here to purchase books through Amazon.com and donate to this non-profit organization.
Gold Rush Mercantile: Period clothing, hats, aprons, bonnets, a large selection of books on gold rush history, music, children's toys, and genuine gold nuggets.
Wine: Need wine for holiday parties or hostess gifts? Stop by and taste at Venezio, Gold Hill, or David Girard Wineries, or choose from the bottles available at the Riverside Mini-Mart.
Sierra Rizing Bakery: Gifts from the kitchen; jams, jellies, syrups, delicious dog biscuits, and a wide selection of Gold Hill Olive Oils.
Andie Thrams Art- Andie has just produced her new 2008 calendar with a nature theme.
To find out more about these and other local shopping options, click here. Shop local and save time, money and gas!
On October 13 and 14 COLOMA GOLD RUSH LIVE took place at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This event drew more than 1,000 visitors each day, according to Gold Discovery Park Association Director Deb Jensen. She said the small group of event organizers, who have been planning the event since last spring, were very pleased with the turnout and received overwhelmingly favorable feedback from attendees. Much credit goes also to the more than 125 volunteers, who did jobs ranging from crosswalk safety and hospitality, to interpretive historical reenactment. Thank you to all the people who worked to make this a fun and educational day for the public!
Come to Coloma - come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 am "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.
In the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park under graceful trees, “Tent Town” will be the site of much of the action. Near the main museum (where there will be food vendors), volunteers in period dress and tents will cook over open fires and demonstrate trades such as spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Wagon rides will be available for hire. And an extra-special feature is free mail service in Tent Town! Folks can write letters (the old-fashioned way) in a General Delivery tent, and mail will be delivered by horse. Experience some of the many cultures that were here at this important time in history thorugh Mexican and Spanish/Californio tents, the Miwok Village, and the Chinese Store museum.
There will be even more fun activity across the street. See a blacksmith at work! John Clagett, Volunteer Coordinator and event organizer, is especially excited about the participation of expert blacksmith and ferrier Eron Simmons. Simmons will be demonstrating period blacksmith techniques at the still-functioning Monroe Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Even better, he will be doing so in the character of Pearley Monroe himself! Pearley was a member of the [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1139] Monroe-Gooch African American family that worked their way out of slavery to become successful and respected in the area. They eventually owned the land that is now the State Park where all these festivities will occur. See “Pearley” on Saturday only!
Also in the park, the historic Thomas and Capini Houses will be open Saturday and Sunday for a special inside look. And for more fun, activity, and history, volunteers all three days will be in the area of Sutter's Mill interpreting the building of the mill, the discovery of gold, and a carpenters’ cabin. Even more - right there along the river will be a re-creation of a 1849 mining camp. See it live!
Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking and entry fee is only $8 per carload, covering everyone in the car. Times are 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday, and 10am-3pm on Monday. For more information call 530.295.2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.
Special note: Experienced volunteers are still needed, in the Gold Panning, Hospitality, and Information Booth areas. If you have experience and want to help, please contact John Clagett at (530) 295-2170.
The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is considering a proposal to dismantle the Airports, Parks and Grounds department. This is the group that manages county parks such as Henningsen-Lotus, and whitewater recreation on the South Fork of the American River. We've posted a PDF of the reorganization proposal.
If you would like to hear more about the plans and let your Supervisors know how you would like to see recreational facilities and opportunities managed in the County, come to the public meeting tomorrow, October 2, 2007, in the BOS chambers, 330 Fair Lane, Building B, in Placerville. The item is #25 on the BOS agenda. See the BOS website for details. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., which means that this item will probably be discussed sometime between 10 a.m. and noon, but could be as late as 1 or 2 p.m.
This may be the public's only opportunity to comment on this subject, but if you cannot attend the meeting, you can email your supervisor. See addresses on the BOS website.
The El Dorado County Department of Transportation will be doing emergency repairs on the one-lane bridge over the South Fork of the American River that connects Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park with Mt. Murphy. (The Highway 49 bridge over the South Fork is not affected.)
The repairs, scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 19, 2007, will require closing of the bridge for a minimum of 20 minute delays up to 6 hours at a time on Oct. 10th and 11th, 2007.
20 MINUTE DELAYS EXPECTED ON OCTOBER 10, 11, 2007
As part of the Mt. Murphy Bridge Emergency Repair Project, Mt. Murphy Bridge will be intermittently closed for bridge deck repairs. The closure is scheduled for 20 minute delays during the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on October 10, and 11th
BRIDGE MAY BE COMPLETELY CLOSED FROM 9 a.m. or 10am to about 3 p.m. ON OCTOBER 10 and 11, 2007
The bridge repairs will cause the closure of the bridge for 6 hours on October 10 and 11, 2007. This closure will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day, with care taken that school buses arriving to the Coloma Outdoor Discovery School will be able to travel through close to 9am.
All river rafters and kayakers should take caution when going under the Mt. Murphy Bridge while repairs are being completed during this time period. If at all possible, stay to the southwestern side of the river when going under the bridge.
We have posted a printable PDF flyer with the above details. For more information contact Julie Duchscherer, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, at (530) 621-5922.
Just after 4:00pm on July 1, 2007, a fire began on the flanks of Mt. Murphy. Located in central Coloma, east and adjacent to the South Fork American River, the fire and smoke was seen from miles away. The burned area is owned and managed by the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. The park acquired the land through the efforts of ARC who recognized the scenic value of Mt Murphy as a backdrop for the historic park. The area burned is classic chaparral grasslands with some brush and oaks. No cause of the fire was known. Several structures were threatened, but there was no loss of buildings thanks to the efforts of CDF, who fought the fire with hand crews, helicopter water drops, and retardant dropped from the air. Although fire officials closed all roads providing access to Mt. Murphy, there were no mandatory evacuations.
Helicopters filled their water buckets to fight the fire from the South Fork American River, above Troublemaker Rapid. River Road residents Jim Baldini, Heather Guttormsen, and Eleena Bradford (who is 5) were in a great position to view the Firefighter’s efforts. Here’s how they described their backyard scene; a helicopter would hover with its landing rails touching the water, then the pilots would honk and wave at the onlookers, then fly off as the suspended water bucket was filled. Heather echoed the sentiments of many residents when she applauded the talent and dedication of all these men and women that protect our little valley.
Thanks to Coloma area resident Brad Penner for the following video, shot from the north-facing canyon wall (river left) upstream from the fire:
If you are ready for some fun whitewater rafting or kayaking, come to Coloma. The South Fork American River has guaranteed flows most days out of the week, and the Middle and North Forks are great options too! We have many outfitters equipped to take you and your group on a rafting trip that is right for you, from gentle to wild. See our Whitewater Rafting Directory for a list of licensed and experienced whitewater outfitters.
Come to Coloma - come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 am "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.
