Coarsegold, CA and the Escapees Park of the Sierras

GOLD, heavy coarse gold, was discovered in this area in 1852, and the texture led to naming the spot Coarse Gold Gulch. This statue of an old prospector greets you as you enter Coarsegold today on CA 41 from the Northeast. He is holding a large gold nugget.

At the Coarsegold Historic Museum south of town you can learn more about Coarsegold's beginnings.

Coarsegold Market has been in business continually since 1850 in different locations and buildings. Today it sports a historical mural.

This is a picture of Coarsegold Creek as it runs through the campground where I was staying. The creek flows fast in the spring, but dries up completely in the summer.

I don't usually blog about the campgrounds I stay in, but Escapees Park Sierra is exceptional and worth more than a mention.

It's location near the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite National Park make it a great place to stay in comfort while exploring all the area has to offer. I stayed here for 2 1/2 weeks before my reservation in Yosemite NP.

My spacious level site with large shady patio. Escapees member rate of $21 includes full hookups, Cable TV, and free Wifi at the site. The Wifi was good enough to do my blog posts while here, which is rare.

The large Clubhouse has many amenities including exercise equipment, library, craft room, and laundromat.

Stained-glass window on the clubhouse.

Part of the historical stage route to Yosemite is located on the park's grounds. It makes one of many nice hiking trails.

Old stage route to Yosemite. Theodore Roosevelt once rode the stage along this route when he visited Yosemite in 1903.

Lots of California Quail live in the park.

And wildflowers are at their peak.

Park volunteers help to identify and protect the wildflowers.

Tiny Carnival Poppy

Coarsegold Creek flows over the old stagecoach road during the Spring, but dries up in summer. Park land on the other side of the creek will not be developed, but will continue to provide a natural green space around the park.

I learned the names of some new-to-me wildflowers. This is called Menzie's Fiddleneck.

Not sure about the red flower.

A patch of Menzie's Fiddleneck.

Couldn't identify the translucent seeds in this photo.

Sticky Chinese Houses

Owl's Clover

A view from one of many hiking trails around the perimeter of the park.

Popcorn Flower

Popcorn Flower

It was the trails that endeared me to this park more than anything.

Just a mile from the park is the historical museum.

The Kennedy barn was built with lumber that came down the flume from the Sugar Pine Lumber company. Having ridden the old Sugar Pine Railway, this had some meaning to me. Where's Liz? Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

There are artifacts and information about the Coarsegold gold-mining history.

And I learned about these gathering baskets while hiking the nearby Way of the Mono trail. Way of the Mono

Gathering basket (upside down)

There was also an example of a Cedar Bark Teepee that was built by the Mono Tribes.

Cedar Bark Teepee. Acorn grinding holes can also be seen in the foreground.

Thistle loves this campground too.

Lupines along the old stagecoach road.

All the blooming flowers attract hummingbirds. Plus many park residents put out feeders.

I like this carving that one resident has on a shed.

Paved streets and RV lots.

Full-time residents landscape their lots, and others volunteer to maintain all the common spaces.

"My" street.

The pull-through on the left is across from my site.

My site actually belongs to a full-time member. By letting the park rent out sites when members are not here reduces maintenance fees for all the members.

They have a good thing going here and I have enjoyed my stay.