The lifestyle of Trinity County is rural, and like rural
areas everywhere, the lifestyle centers around the local community. The larger communities, like Weaverville,
Hayfork, Lewiston and Trinity Center have identifiable residential neighborhoods
and established business districts. Others, like Ruth, Salyer and Wildwood
are less recognizable, and in fact, seem to appear suddenly, during a summer
country festival, when a community meeting is called, or during emergencies
when they come together to help their neighbors. Then they disappear again,
as though the community had never existed. These communities center around
the local country store, with its gas pumps and post office, at times a
small restaurant, and always, a community bulletin board. An outpost on
a winding country road, an outpost in paradise.
Less visible are those who form the community, whose homes are scattered
throughout the hills or along a back road marked with an occasional cluster
of mail boxes, but who always come forward whenever a sick neighbor needs
firewood, when the local school or church needs volunteers, or when folks
just want to get together to talk.
Whatever the makeup, each community maintains its own character,
and is staunchly supported and defended by its inhabitants.
The Villages
Big Bar, Big Flat, Del Loma
Burnt Ranch/Hawkins Bar/Salyer
Coffee Creek
Denny
Douglas City
Hayfork
Helena
Hoaglin/Zenia/Kettenpom
Hyampom
Junction City
Lewiston
Mad River
Ruth, Ruth Lake
Trinity Center
Weaverville
Wildwood
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Big Bar, Big Flat, Del Loma
These riverside communities are three miles apart on Highway 299.
This area has a great reputation among rafters and kayakers for the
"Pigeon Point" run, a five-mile stretch of class three whitewater. Others
prefer the quiet stretches for inner tubing or swimming. Still others prefer
to work the sand along the banks with their gold pans, hoping to find a
bit of color. During the season, anglers fish for trophy steelhead and
salmon. Some come just to enjoy the quiet. Travelers will find gas, groceries,
restaurants, cabins and camping.
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Burnt Ranch, Hawkins Bar and Salyer
Burnt Ranch, Hawkins Bar and Salyer lie along the Trinity River in western
Trinity County. This area is famous for Burnt Ranch Gorge, an intense class
five stretch of whitewater that challenges the most experienced kayakers
and rafters. Below the gorge are quiet stretches of the Trinity River that
flow through sheer canyons and past warm, sunny beaches. In season, anglers
pursue trophy steelhead and salmon. Groceries, gas, restaurants, rv parks,
campgrounds and a bed and breakfast are available to travelers.
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Coffee Creek
Coffee Creek is
the northernmost community in Trinity County, and was a very rich mining
center during the Great Gold Rush. Legend has it that a pack train loaded
with coffee for the gold fields was washed away in a torrential flood,
hence the name "Coffee Creek." Others contend that the normally crystal
clear waters were colored a deep rich coffee color by the spring runoff.
Either way, today Coffee Creek is a community in a spectacular mountain
setting. You can get a meal here, and a tank of gas for the 39-mile trip
over Scotts Mountain toward Interstate 5.
This tiny mountain community nestled among the peaks of the Trinity
Alps boasts a restaurant, school, an RV park, grocery store, several resorts
and vacation rentals. Coffee Creek Road bisects the Trinity Alps Wilderness,
providing easy access to trail heads that begin in the heart of the wilderness
area. The area provides breathless views of the Trinity Alps, unbelievable
peace, and a friendly atmosphere that welcomes visitors.
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Denny
Denny is located at the end of a narrow winding road in northwestern
Trinity County. This town was established as a gold mining community on
the New River. It soon became better known for its agriculture. The Dailey
Ranch in Denny won a first prize for its walnuts at the Chicago World's
Fair. Today, there are no services in Denny, although there is access to
three trailheads into the Trinity Alps, and some folks enjoy fishing for
trout in the New River. Check angling regulations before fishing.
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Douglas City
Douglas City is found at the junction of Highways Three and 299 on the
Trinity River. In season, anglers fish for steelhead and salmon in the
Trinity River, and pan for gold along its shore. A memorial plaque at the
Douglas City BLM Campground commemorates the discovery of gold on the Trinity
River in 1848. Nearby, the Moon Lim Lee Rest Area is the site of the first
tourist information center established at a California rest area.
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Hayfork
Hayfork lies in the county's largest valley and hosts the Trinity County
Fair, held the third weekend in August. Until recently, the Sierra Pacific
sawmill was Trinity County's largest private employer. Now the U.S.
Forest Service is the single most source of employment. Nearby features
include the Natural Bridge and Ewing Reservoir. Visitors can find lodging
in the town's single motel, at a Bed and Breakfast, and camping at the
Trinity County Fairgrounds. A nearby guest ranch offers lodging in a renovated
farm house, camping and tepee stays. The Farmer's Market held on Tuesdays
during the summer and fall, offers fresh, locally grown produce and other
agricultural products. The county's largest airport is located next to
the town.
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Helena
The Helena townsite
is listed in the Registry of Historic places. Although this early Trinity
County gold mining town is virtually abandoned, the shells of the former
buildings can still be seen from the road. The Helena townsite is private
property and trespassing is not allowed, although the buildings may be
seen from the road.
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Hoaglin, Kettenpom and Zenia
These communities are located in the remote southwestern corner of the
county. Although accommodations are not available, a country store at Kettenpom
offers gas, groceries and propane. USFS campgrounds are located nearby.
Deer and bear hunting is available on Forest Service administered lands,
and private landowners offer guided pig hunting. Kettenpom Coterie, a group
of artisans, produces a wide variety of arts and crafts for retail and
wholesale markets.
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Hyampom
Hyampom, located on the South Fork of the Trinity River has established
a reputation as the county's finest agriculture region. Hyampom's Asian
pears have set the standard for California producers to follow. Travelers
enjoy the South Fork National Recreational Trail, fishing and swimming
in the South Fork of the Trinity River and hunting for deer and bear in
the surrounding hills.
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Junction City
Junction City is located at the confluence of Canyon Creek and the Trinity
River. This area offers fishing, tubing and gold panning on the Trinity
River. Take time to notice the huge mounds of gravel left as tailings during
the gold rush. The most popular trail into the Trinity Alps, the Canyon
Creek Trail, is accessed from Junction City.
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Lewiston
Lewiston has
its own historic district along the Trinity River, with charming boutiques,
rv parks, lodging and restaurants. Visit the Trinity River hatchery where
salmon and steelhead are raised to enhance the sport fishery on the Trinity
River. Nearby Lewiston Lake offers trout fishing, wildlife watching, lodging
and camping. The Old Lewiston Peddler's Faire, held in the spring, is well-known for the arts, crafts and collectibles sold by over
200 vendors, along with food booths and music.
more...
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Mad River
Mad River in southern Trinity County has groceries, gas, propane, lodging
and restaurants. Herb farmers offer agricultural tours to visitors. The
area is noted for organic herb farming of medicinal, culinary and floral
herbs. Tours are available. Local strawberry farmers offer U-pick harvesting
to the public. The Van Duzen River offers swimming, picnicking and camping.
Local artists participate in the Christmas Craft Faire held every November.
A local health clinic offers 24-hour emergency health care. Mad River was
given its name in 1849 when a party of surveyors reached the waters after
two months of near starvation.
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Ruth, Ruth Lake
Ruth offers groceries, gas, propane, camping, lodging, restaurants and
a full-service marina on beautiful Ruth Lake. The Ruth Airport accommodates
small planes, and nearby resorts offer shuttle service to area resorts
and marinas. A full-service resort is located within walking distance of
the airport. Ruth Lake is noted for fishing, waterskiing and sailing.
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Trinity Center
Trinity Center at the north end of Trinity Lake was moved twice before
finally relocating to its present location. Visit the Scott Museum, rent
a boat at one of the marinas, and play or fish in Trinity Lake. Visitors
can enjoy one of the several restaurants, a stay in a cabin or motel near
the lake, and camping at nearby campgrounds.
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Weaverville
Weaverville is home of the Joss House State Park (a Taoist Temple
built by Chinese gold miners in 1873) and the Jake Jackson Museum and Historic
Park, with displays of early Trinity County life and live demonstrations
of the steam-powered Paymaster Stamp Mill. Several art galleries are within
a short distance. Take a walk through
the Historic District, where plaques tell
of the historic buildings. The Farmer's Market during
the summer gives an opportunity to sample fresh, locally
grown produce and other agricultural products. The annual Fourth of July
Celebration is one of the best anywhere.
Villages - Outposts
Wildwood
Wildwood is located on Highway 36. Camping is available nearby at Forest
Service campgrounds. These are the only services available along Highway
36 for 40 miles, until you reach Mad River.
Villages - Outposts
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