6/13/2010

The Plumas County Museum will offer a guided bus tour Friday, June 25, of historical Sierra Valley and its ranches, towns, cemeteries, schools and more.

Participants will meet at the museum at 8 a.m. to board the bus. The tour will head east on Highway 70, noting various historical sites along the way, some of which include the Beckwourth Trail, Williams Railroad Loop, the 20-Mile House and the newly renovated Feather River Inn.

The first main stop will be the Dotta Ranch, where Mark Dotta, a descendant of the founders, will give a history of the ranch. From there the group will travel to the Pitchfork Cattle Co. Ranch, owned by Dave and Doris Goss. The horse-drawn wagon ride and sheep demonstration are always a great hit.

After traveling over the 1909 Steel Bridge, the group will lunch at Explore Sierra Touring Company on the old Folchi Ranch, where participants will enjoy a leisurely sit-down barbecue lunch in an artifact-decorated barn.

After lunch, the group will travel to Sierra Valley Farms for a tour of its operations and some organic vegetable shopping.

At Beckwourth, organizers hope to tour the 1909 Masonic Hall, or take a tour of the historic Whispering Pines Cemetery, opposite the Beckwourth Cabin Museum.

Estimated arrival back at the museum is 4:30 p.m.

There are several seats still available, so call the museum at 530-283-6320 to reserve one. The $50 fare includes round trip transportation, snacks, water, a guidebook, museum admission fees, tour guide services, a full barbecue lunch and a day of fun. Bring a camera and sunscreen.