Thirteen volunteers helped Plumas National Forest
Archaeologists survey and record sites associated with the California Gold Rush
the first week of August 2017. Volunteers overcame hot weather, and steep ground
which many times exceeded 50 degrees slope. We also had to find safe stream
crossings in the rugged terrane. The Minerva fire started two days before the
project. At times this fire filled the project area full of smoke which contributed
to the challenging field conditions. Despite these obstacles volunteers helped record
ten archaeological sites. These sites included two extensive 1850s thru 1860s
sites, a large 1860 thru 1890s site that included a blacksmith loci, an 1890
blacksmith shop within a hydraulic mine, a 1890s thru 1910 mining cabin and a
1930’s mining cabin. Two of the newly found sites appear to be strong
candidates for the town “Forks of Hopkins”. More field work and archival work
is needed to figure out which of the two sites is the town. Overall it was a
very successful and productive Passport In Time project.