Attention Graeagle Residents: Please observe new winter hours for the Graeagle Land & Water Office. Until further notice, the office will be open to the public the following days and times:
Monday – Thursday, 9:00am – 12:00pm.
Please feel free to leave a message at (530) 836-2523 as we check the machine frequently, and will get back to you. To pay your water bill, feel free to deposit in the front door mail slot as always.
Thank you!
The Johnsville Ski Bowl has been a historical landmark for the county since the 1860s.
According to oral history, the mining ore buckets that went up Gold Mountain acted as possibly the first ski lift in the world. The mountains in the area also became one of the first places in the Western Hemisphere for sport skiing such as longboarding — a tradition the community still celebrates.
Since the 1950s the hill was under the operation of the Plumas Ski Club, a private nonprofit organization. But the project encountered some thin ice because Plumas-Eureka State Park, within which the ski hill is situated, preferred to work with a public entity.
Recognizing the need to continue the project, the Eastern Plumas Recreation District stepped in three years ago with the primary purpose of taking over the ski hill project from the Plumas Ski Club.
EPRD obtained a 10-year operating agreement with the state park in 2011. After strong community fundraising, the district was also able to obtain a ski lift and two rope tows from Squaw Valley.
According to EPRD board member Dan Gallagher, the next step for the project is to raise enough funds to install the chairlift and the two surface lifts.
EPRD board member Jack Bridge said it will cost around $300,000 to install the chair lift alone, and without the support of the community, the installation will be a slow process.
There have been, and will be, many fundraisers for the Johnsville Ski Hill project, including concerts at Nakoma Golf Resort, the 20th annual SnowBall and the upcoming third annual Winter Fest located for the first time at the ski hill.
“There is a lot of stuff we want to do,” said Gallagher, “but right now Johnsville is front and center.”
The business plan for the ski hill is mainly to emphasize accessibility for youths and for families. According to Gallagher it will have beginning to intermediate runs, and when it is open EPRD will reach out to schools to install ski programs and youth events.
Gallagher also said the overall goal is to promote economic growth in the community by creating a destination ski area for tourists and families to enjoy. This will give the community an opportunity to wake up during the winter, and not have to shut down when the snow falls.
Bridge stated that it is going to have to be a very aggressive marketing promotion because most all of the funds are going to need to be donated by the community.
Both Gallagher and Bridge predict that the hill will be opening next winter. However, the amount of funds the project receives until then will determine how many of the three lifts will be operable.
For more information on the ski hill or to make a donation to the project visit skijohnsville.com.
Saturday December 1st is Graeagle’s 18th annual Holiday Festival. A great way to spend the day with the kids with horse-drawn trolley rides, Santa meet & greet, carolers, tree lighting and great shopping deals from all the Graeagle Merchants. Come join us! The festivals kicks off at 1PM and the tree lighting is at 5PM, hang around afterwards socializing around a warm fire with one of your favorite adult beverages from the merchants!
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!!!
Enter the “Graeagle Bucks” drawing at your favorite merchant for the chance to win certificates!
Eastern Plumas County’s USFS Fall 2012 Campground Information
Little Gold Lake Campground
Beckwourth Ranger District 10/15/12
CAMPGROUND UNITS OPEN/CLOSED
LAKE DAVIS AREA
Grasshopper Flat 70 Closed $21/night Water, flush toilets
Grizzly 55 Closed $21/night Water, flush toilets
Lightning Tree 40 Open $21/single
$42/double No fees, service or water, vault toilets
Dump Station Closed $6
FRENCHMAN LAKE
Cottonwood Springs 20 Closed $21/night Water, flush toilets, showers
Group sites 2 Closed $90/25 persons
$130/50 persons Water, flush toilets
Chilcoot 40 Closed $21/night Water, flush toilets
Frenchman 38 Open $21/night No fees, service or water, vault toilets
Spring Creek 35 Closed $21/night Water, vault toilets
Big Cove 38 Closed $21/night
$42/double Water, flush toilets, showers
Big Cove Overflow Closed $12/night Open when others full, vault toilet
Dump Station Closed $6
LAKES BASIN AREA
Gold Lake 37 Open $10 No fees or services, No water, vault toilets
Gold Lake 4 x 4 16 Open No fees Pit toilets, no water, no garbage
Lakes Basin Campground
23 single 1 double Open $18/night $36/night No fees, service or water, vault toilets
Lakes Basin Group Camp 1 Closed $70/25 persons Water, Vault toilets
Goose Lake 13 Open $10 No fees or services, Vault toilets
Haven Lake 4 Open $5 No fees or services, Vault toilet
Campgrounds have garbage service unless otherwise noted.
DRY CAMPS – open- no water, no fees, no services, vault toilets.
Crocker 10 units
Meadow View 6 units
Laufman 6 units
Conklin Park 9 units
BOAT RAMPS
Gold Lake Dock- open
Lake Davis – swimming ok, no jet skis or water skiing
Honker Cove Dock- Closed for ramp reconstruction
Mallard Cove Ramp – Will close in early October for ramp work
Lightning Tree Dock – Closed – water too low
Camp 5 Dock– open until early November
Frenchman Lake – swimming, jet skis and water skiing allowed
Frenchman Dock – open
Lunker Point Dock – open
TRAILS
Frazier Falls – open – (no bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs or horses)
Pacific Crest Trail – open
Upper Lakes Basin Trails – open
Trail to Smith Lake – open
Trail to Grass Lake – open
Gray Eagle Creek Trail – open
Mills Peak Trail – open
Jackson Creek – open
BLACK MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT RECREATION RENTAL
Open Memorial weekend through the end of October
ROADS
Gold Lake Highway – open
Frazier Falls Road – open
For further information contact:
Bill Benson, Front Desk, Email: hbenson@fs.fed.us, Phone: 530.836-2575
Pandora Valle, Recreation, Email: pvalle@fs.fed.us, Phone: 530.836-7123
Shirley was also known for her generous heart and love of children. Always involved and organizing school events, Shirley and Harvey took in several foster and foreign exchange students.
Graeagle remembers and honors Shirley M. West.
Shirley West
The new Lakes basin Maps are in! Since the 60’s Graeagle Land & Water Company has been publishing these maps with cooperation of its advertisers. This is the 4th and greatest version yet. Changes include designated parking spots, elevation displays, new bike trails, updated camping areas and now extends down to Sierra City. This map is a must have for any or hiker, camper, off road 4×4 goer, snowmobiler, kayaker, cross country skier, picnicker or bird watcher coming to the area.
Get yours today at:
Sierra City –
Herrington’s Resort
Yuba River Inn
Buttes Resort
Bassets Station
Graeagle –
Graeagle Associates
Graeagle Mercantile
Graeagle Chevron
Graeagle Land & Water Co. (office)
Graeagle Store
Whitehawk Lodge
River Pines Resort
Or, If you are already in the Lakes Basin Head to:
Gray Eagle Lodge
Gold Lake Lodge
Elwell Lodge
Sardine Resort
This foot race is above all because of one reason, Greg Williams and his crew. The same team that has produced and successfully ran the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and All-Mountain World Championships for the past 18 years. The Lost Sierra will follow the same successful model of the Downieville Classic with a high quality course, good food, libations, live music and camping under the Sierra sky. All of the net proceeds from the Lost Sierra foot race go towards the local trail maintenance program. Ensuring our trails stay in shape and new ones are put in.
The event starts at the Graeagle Millpond where runners will be escorted by the CHP till they hit the Mills Peaks trail off Hwy. 89 and take off up to the Lakes Basins. With the racetrack coming back down to Graeagle Park where music, celebrations and awards will take place. Click here for the full course map.
For Contact information:
Primary Contact:
Tara Stone- (530) 545-2580 tara@sierratrails.org
Logistics Contact:
Greg Williams- (530) 613-2847 willie@sierratrails.org
Registration contact:
Heather Williams: heather@yubaexpeditions.com
More information? Head to their website, click here!
Visit their facebook page!
Registration:
1000 race entries available
Pre-Registration:
$60.00 before September 15th
$65.00 after September 15th
On-Site Registration Friday September 28:
3:00-7:00pm in Graeagle at the Community Fire Hall
Packet and number pick-up
Saturday September 29:
5:00-6:00am in Graeagle at Community Fire Hall
Packet and number pick-up
6:30am Runner Registration CLOSES. No exceptions.
7:00am Start of races
Race Categories for 50k and 23k:
Men 20 and under
Men 21-30
Men 31-40
Men 41-50
Men 51-60
Men 61+
Women 20 and under
Women 21-30
Women 31-40
Women 41-50
Women 51-60
Women 61+
REGISTRATION FEES
All net proceeds go to the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, to support the SBTS Trail Maintenance Program.
Entry Fees include:
What is the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship? Check them out!
Fire departments across the country have started reflective address sign programs. These programs are wonderful, not only do they allow responders to find an address quicker but also act as a fundraiser for the fire department. Not to mention the pizza delivery boy will be grateful.
The program allows community members to purchase a double-sided reflective address sign for only $20. That’s cheaper than a pizza! The resident buys it, the fire department makes it and puts it up, but wait, it gets better!
Once the department makes the sign up, instead of calling the home/business owner to pick it up, Graeagle Fire delivers and installs it. They meet the homeowner. Walk around the front and recommend a good place for the owner to put the sign. Remember to think of the sign in other times of the year, for instance in the winter a snow berm could block the view of the sign. This is also a great time for the fire department to write up a pre-attack plan on the structure. Find out if there is anything on the property such as hazards or aggressive animals the firefighters should know.
The sign allows firefighters to easily spot your house. Of course, if it is a fire they should be able to see the blaze. But it is more for those 3AM medical calls or fire alarms. The more proper signage that you and your neighbor has the more quicker and efficiently Graeagle Fire can get to you in an emergency. Get your sign today.
Click Here to get Started! HouseNumbersProj
The Graeagle Community Service’s District and Graeagle Land & Water Company have teamed up to remodel the Graeagle Tennis courts. Being a $100,000 project that started last summer and will be completed this fall. The focus was more than just tennis, but adding more sports to the facility.
Last summer the main part of the job was completed. Paving and resurfacing with a 2″ overlay of new asphalt with color coating and striping for three sports. Tennis, basketball and pickle ball. New nets were installed and the parking lot was reshaped.
All that is left is to install a practice back board for tennis and a basketball hoop. A basketball court was added to the facility to attract more than just tennis players but the youth and other basketball players to be able to play on a nice court. Something the community currently lacks. The practice backboard will be installed within the next two weeks and basketball hoop and post will be purchased and ordered shortly.
Having the two organizations team up has made projects through out the Graeagle area happen. The two are currently in the process of building a walking bridge over the Graeagle Creek to keep walkers and bicyclist safe from the traffic on Highway 89. Stay tuned for more great things to come!
Get out and play on the revitalized courts!