This page was last updated on: November 1, 2004

The following pages are photographs of what I call, "Maidu Country or The Land of the Maidu." Located in the California High Sierra Mountains near Quincy and Sierra City. The area is called, The Lakes Basin. The start off point into Gold Valley (Maidu Country) is Gold Lake. A good 4-wheel drive is a must because the trails are rough and unmaintained. They get worse every year. One trail in particular a large rig would not make it because of being too wide and too long. This trail requires a smaller 4-wheel drive rig such as the size of a Jeep. A 3/4 ton rig went over this trail a few years back and it was destroyed and had to be towed out after reaching the valley floor. I know because I talked to the person who drove it. He is with the Forest Service and was told to cut the trees off the trail to Little Deer Lake. Being new on the job, his supervisor didn't tell him not to go any furthur from the lake. To make a long story short, he continued down the trail from Little Deer Lake. Once he started down, there was no turning back because of the steepness of the trail. He eventually reached the Gold Valley floor, but thats as far as he could go. The rig gave up. The trail is strewn with large rocks and boulders and very narrow sections which seem to crunch the sides of bigger rigs. Most of the trail is to creep and crawl over the rocks and boulders. Good suspention, tires, clearance and nerve is a must for this trail. This trail is our favorite. I hope you enjoy the beauty of this special place through my photographs.

This was taken from our camp spot. The area just across from Pauley Creek and camp is Sacred Ground because August of 1997 my wife Carols ashes were scattered there. The Chief of the California Cherokee told me after we first met that the land where her ashes were scattered was now Sacred Ground. The high mountain in the photo didn't have a name so I named it Spirit Mountain because its the highest point.

Sacred Ridge and Spirit Mountain.

Spirit Mountain.

Above Gold Valley from the Little Deer Lake trail.

Ancient tree growing out of almost solid rock. I estimate this tree to be over 150 years old. It is located high above Hawley Meadow. A trail goes from Hawley Meadow past this Ancient one.

East ridge above Gold Valley taken from the west ridge. Look close and you'll see part of the trail down.

East ridge above Gold Valley taken from the north west ridge. My dog Penny is looking things over.

Looking north from the west ridge above Gold Valley. Little Deer Lake with Hawley Meadow to the top left.

Hawley Meadow from the Little Deer Lake trail.

Part of the trail to Hawley Lake. The trail gets worse further on. This part is creep and crawl.

Getting ready to run my left rear wheel over the rock next to the front wheel on the trail to Hawley Lake.

Hawley Lake with a cabin at the south end.This area has been turned into a camp for the handicapped kids. The trail up to Hawley Meadow starts behind the cabin.

Above Hawley Lake on the trail to Hawley Meadow. This shows the north end of the lake. Here Maidu Indians camped many years ago. The photo to the right shows the cabin at the south end.

Hawley Meadow looking southeast.

A small spring fed pond at the upper northeast part of the meadow.

This was taken on the trail down to the Ancient Sacred Petroglyphs which I will not say exactly where. Get to know me and I'll tell you how to find the trail or I'll meet you and take you to them.

The Sutliff cabin at the southeast edge of Hawley Meadow. This is also an old mining claim and still maintained.