Finding Gold at Empire Mine

Steve Arita headed out in search of gold on Sunday and found it at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley.

He reported, “fall colors are almost peak perfect. By Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, “Maple Lane”, which is an area of the park where a wide trail is lined with maples that runs almost the length of the park on the edge of the park, will be in full peak color.

He said “every year is different, but today I was able to catch it just right for most of the colors.”

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

California State Parks states, “Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold mines in California. In operation for more than 100 years, the mine extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold (worth over $9.69 billion today) before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine’s buildings, the owner’s home and restored gardens, as well as the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts. The park encompasses 856 acres of forested backcountry and fourteen miles of trails – including easy hikes (for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding) – in the park.”

• Empire Mine SHP (2,411′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!