Gold Country Books

books
books, California, foothills, ghost towns, gold, gold country, gold rush, Hikes, historical, history, maps, miners, mines, mining, museums, railroads, rivers, silver

The Gold Rush of California

california independent The largest migration in world history, of Overland pioneers traversing the continent on foot with wagons and horses, took place right here – beginning in 1848. The discovery of the precious metal gold, that set this rolling, was centered around the western Sierra rivers and mountains of California. The migration west began much earlier, but it increased dramatically after the news spread.

Gold Country Books can relate the historic details of yesteryear.

Within only a decade the entire West Coast was transformed into a developed landscape, with people coming from all over the world to stake out their claims, dreaming of fortunes or simply, just to find work and create a new life. Hence, California became a U.S. state in 1850. Consequently, the railroads followed soon after.

Find Gold Country Maps

Columbia State Historic Park, California

California’s Gold Country Books

Coloma Gold Centennial Stamp 1948

Our Favorites on California History

Little did I know what pleasure reading California historical books would bring me in my middle years of life. Transport yourself to the dusty trails and hardships of Overland pioneer life, or imagine a two year journey sailing around the bottom of South America to reach this desolate coast in the early 1800’s. Read these books below to get a glimpse into an Old California story. One you can only dream about, knowing what has become of it today.

Gold Country Goofballs in Auburn, CA

Sierra National Forest Map

Sierra NF Map

Sierra National Forest Maps

Central Sierra National Forest Map. USDA

Bass Lake, Shaver Lake, Huntington, Edison, Florence, Mammoth Pool, Yosemite West

(this one is a more accurate color of the map)

Neighboring Yosemite National Park on the westside, Sierra NF is one of the most popular National Forest in U.S. – and California, due to its proximity to the National Park. John Muir Wilderness is within easy reach and trailhead parking can get close to higher elevations, via Lake Edison. Kings River w/ Pine Flat Reservoir and Kings Canyon National Park is on the south border of this forest.

Numerous reservoirs, big rivers, many creeks, meadows, granite walls, domes, mountain peaks. Wilderness trailheads, backpacking, boating, camping, fishing, hot springs, kayaking, mountain biking, mountaineering routes, off roading, river rafting, rock climbing, snowmobiling, snow ski & xc.

Sierra National Forest
is located south of Yosemite National Park and to the east of Fresno, CA

Panorama of the Backcountry, via SnowMo in mid-March

Highway 168 is plowed often

Sierra Maps for Central Sierra Mountains

Waterproof map of the Sierra Nevada. Quality USDA maps created for the National Forest Service. Yosemite West, Kaiser Pass, Kaiser Wilderness, Huntington Lake & Shaver Lake, Dinkey Creek, Wishon Reservoir & Courtright Reservoir. Western Sierra Nevada Wilderness.

Ranger Map – NFS issued map. GPS: Longitude & Latitude; Rivers, Creeks, Peaks, Elevations, 4WD & every dirt BackRoad, Hot Springs, Equestrian Areas, all Campgrounds, Hiking Trails & BackPacking Trailheads.

Areas include: Western Sierra, Sierra Summit, Mariposa, Wawona, Oakhurst, Merced River, Bass Lake, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Kaiser Pass, Dinkey Creek, South Yosemite, Mono Hot Springs, San Joaquin River, Mammoth Pool Reservoir, Lake Edison, Florence, Wishon, Courtright, John Muir Trail/Wilderness, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Mammoth, Sierra Lakes, North Kings Canyon National Park, Pine Flat Reservoir, Black Rock Reservoir, Kings River, Monarch Wilderness.

Map Size: 36″x 40″ overall / 4″x9″ folded; Printed in 2011 on waterproof plastic. ISBN# 9781593514907

National Forest Maps Lupine @ Pine Flat Reservoir, Lower Kings River

Sierra National Forest

OLDER EDITION

REAL OLD EDITION

Rancheria Falls @ Huntington Lake, CA

Tom Harrison Map of Sierra National Forest

hiking

Wildfire has recently ravaged about half of this National Forest, from Shaver Lake to Mammoth Pool Reservoir; Kaiser Wilderness, San Joaquin River, Huntington Lake, all the way out to Lake Edison. Many areas could be closed to logging and fire cleanup. Check with USFS for specifics.
Creek Fire 2020

apps/maps:
download digital topos & maps

Ansel Adams and Owens River Headwaters
Courtright & Wishon Topo Map (free)
CTUC Sierra NF: Bass Lake OHV
CTUC Sierra NF: High Sierra 4×4
CTUC Sierra NF OHV Map
NatGeo Map #810: Shaver Lake Sierra NF
Nat Geo Map #1001 – John Muir Trail
Sierra National Forest Visitor Map
Tom Harrison Kaiser Wilderness Map
Tom Harrison Topo – Sierra NF
USGS Courtright & Wishon Reservoir (free)
USGS Topo – Mammoth Pool (free)
USFS Map Courtright & Wishon Reservoirs

Shaver Lake Beaches by Boat

nearby towns:

Wishon Lake (Reservoir)

Climbing Wall @ Wishon

Dinkey Creek from Bridge

Santa Barbara Books

books
backpacking, California, campgrounds, coast, ext, foothills, los padres, maps, mountains, Ojai, Santa Barbara, sespe wilderness, trailhead, trails, Ventura

Figueroa Mountain of the Santa Barbara Backcountry

Find Los Padres National Forest Map

Find Sespe Wilderness Trail Map

Find Channel Island National Park Map

Books on the Santa Barbara Coast & the Santa Barbara Mountains

Peppermint Lupine @ Figueroa Mountain Road

Santa Barbara is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to being a popular tourist and resort destination, the city has a diverse economy that includes a large service sector, education, technology, health care, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, and local government.

The city is served by Santa Barbara Airport and train service is provided by Amtrak, which operates the Pacific Surfliner, which runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. The Santa Barbara area is connected via U.S. Highway 101 to Los Angeles (100 miles to the southeast) and San Francisco (325 miles to the northwest).

Behind the city, in and beyond the Santa Ynez Mountains, is the Los Padres National Forest, which contains several remote wilderness areas. Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary are located approximately 20 miles offshore.

Santa Barbara Mountains:

Los Padres Forest Topo Atlas

Los Padres Atlas Topographic Map USDA

USFS, United States Forest Service – aka National Forests

Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara Mountains, Mount Pinos, San Luis Obispo, Big Sur Coast
Mountains: Central Coast California

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres Forest Atlas

a spiral bound book – a collection of all the quads. (7.5 minute topographical maps, of all of Los Padres National Forest) It includes both Los Padres NORTH (Monterey) & SOUTH (Ojai/Pinos). This book map has detailed topo lines, mountain peaks, streams, lakes, hiking trails & back roads. Perfect for all kinds of recreational needs. Printed in 2013 USDA. ISBN# 9781628114010