The Golden Chain Hwy (SR49)

I just finished a trip along the Golden Chain Hwy, AKA Hwy 49. It runs through the Mother Lode of California, including the communities of Jamestown, Sonora, Auburn, Colombia, and the famed Calaveras County (Made famous by mark Twain). The road is 295 miles from end to end, and some beautiful country, I made the trip, with many stops, in 3 days. Really 3 days was not enough time to see everything, I would recommend 7+ days. Yes, there is that much to see and do.


Many of the communities are like going back into time 100 years, very well preserved and worth seeing. They are not ghost towns, but many of the buildings are abandoned, while the homes are currently occupied. The small towns litter the entire length of the Hwy, and have survived fire, flood, and earthquakes, they have truely stood the test of time.


The towns of Coloma and Columbia have been into State Parks and are both a must see. They have been preserved and restored to their original state for the most part. Both have camping nearby and there is more to do than can be done in a day, plan a couple of days for each park, and bring your gold pan, there is and area set aside for panning in Coloma State Park.





Here are some photos, enjoy.