THE GOLD RUSH TRAIL

Highway 49 runs through the heart of California's Mother Lode country from Southern-most Oakhurst to Vinton in the North, a full 270 miles of the original gold rush trail.

WHERE TO START?

There are lots of ways to get to Highway 49, and you can pick it up anywhere and be assured of a wonderful visit to country with lots of beautiful scenery, historic sights, and fun things to do.

But, if you're really interested in the history of it, I'd like to make a suggestion: try retracing the footsteps of the original 49ers!

No . . . I'm not talking about boarding a steamship for Cape Horn or outfitting a covered wagon for a trek across the prairies.

But you could start in 1848 San Francisco, where many a 49er found him- or her-self first placing foot on California soil!

From The City, follow the course of the Sacramento River to discover Old Sac and Sutter's Fort.

How did the forty-niners get to the goldfields once they'd reached San Francisco? Let's find out:

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