Page 159 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

SPECIAL
»
EVENTS 2014
Wager on a jumping frog as Mark Twain’s most beloved story is commemorated each year
at the CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR & JUMPING FROG JUBILEE in Angels Camp.
May 15-18 frogtown.org
The HANGTOWN HARMONICA CHAMPIONSHIP
is the highlight of the Cowboys and Cornbread festival celebrating western living
at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. July 20 cowboysandcornbread.com
One weekend each October, during GOLD RUSH LIVE, the town of Coloma goes back
in time to Gold Rush days with costumed volunteers in period dress to recreate
a traditional mining camp. Oct. 10-13 coloma.com/calendar/coloma-gold-rush-live
The Great Outdoors
From May to mid-October, the American
River is California’s top venue for white-
water rafting. The river flow is controlled
by releases from upstream reservoirs, so
rafters are assured of good conditions.
Outfitters offer both half-day and full-day
trips through Class III whitewater,
ending up at Marshall Gold Discovery
State Historic Park or Folsom Lake. In the
northern Sierra, the town of Downieville
has become a center for mountain
biking. Local bike shops offer rentals and
shuttles on old mining roads and single
tracks from the casual to the technical,
including a 15-mile ride with a 4,000-
foot descent. Houseboaters flock to vast,
sprawling Gold Country reservoirs such
as New Melones Lake, Don Pedro Lake
and Lake McClure.
2014 T R AV E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 157