2017-2018 Nevada County Gold Magazine 2017-2018_Nevada County Gold Magazine | Page 54

S O U T H Y U B A R I V E R S T A T E P A R K / B R I D G E P O R T / R O U G H & R E A D Y HISTORY, RECREATION, EVENTS SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK The park is a patchwork of sites on a 20 mile stretch of the river including scenic vistas and the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba. There are hiking trails, and opportunities for swimming, fishing and mountain biking. See Page 41. Must Do! E v E n t s Once a ranch, historic Bridgeport in Penn Valley is a popular destination within the State Park. Located on Pleasant Valley Road eight miles from Hwy. 20 intersection, it includes the longest single span covered bridge in the world. Built in 1862, it was on a route from the Bay Area to northern gold fields, as well as Nevada silver mines. Cattle also passed over the bridge on the way to and from mountain pastures. Today visitors can visit a his- tory station weekends during the summer, hike, try their hand at gold panning, and swim in river pools or at a family beach. Bridgeport Bird Walks: June 9, July 8, September 9, October 14, December 9 Fall Festival: October 22, 11:00 am–4:00 pm Wildflower Walks: Mid- March to Mid-May 54 N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D ROUGH AND READY Located five miles from Grass Valley, Rough and Ready was established in 1849 and quickly grew to a town of 3,000. The area was settled by a group of miners led by a captain who had served under “Old Rough and Ready” Zachary Taylor, hence the name. When the government imposed a mining tax, local miners met in April of 1850, decided to secede from the Union, and the Great Republic of Rough and Ready was born. It didn’t last long for when the Fourth of July rolled around, Old Glory went up the flag pole. Visitors to this small community will find a few historic buildings including a blacksmith’s shop and the Grange Hall, and a cemetery dating from Gold Rush days. Take West Main Street from Grass Valley towards Penn Valley. Music/Events FRUIT JAR PICKERS: Every Sunday, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, Grange Hall. Sing along to old time gospel, country and light hearted rock. Dollar Café. GRANGE BREAKFAST: Second Saturday of the Month, 8:00 am–10:00 am. A popular local event. State Park Headquarters/Visitor Center: At Bridgeport. Open everyday end of April–end of October, 11:00 am–3:00 pm. Rest of year open Thursday–Sunday, 11:00 am–4:00 pm. [phone]; southyubariverstatepark.org SUCCESSION DAYS/CHILI COOK-OFF: June 25. Breakfast, musical melodrama “Saga of Rough & Ready,” blacksmith demonstra- tions, chicken bingo and Chili Cook-Off Rough & Ready style with Ready Rules. Information: roughandreadychamber.com More Things To Do Pages 68–83 ROUGH AND READY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 801 Rough and Ready, CA 95975 [phone] roughandreadychamber.com Email: [email protected] Bridgeport