Tours

(Grouped by close geographical locations)

(about 7-10 miles west of Sonora except for Tulloch-20mi.)

• Sierra Pacific Mill—Chinese Camp (Cedar fencing and pencil stock mill)
• Jamestown Energy—Chinese Camp (Bio-Mass uses and clean energy production)
• Bauhr Ranch-(Inside arena demonstration on Horse training)
• Railtown 1897 (not affiliated with TuCARE tours, but nearby)

(Water resources, energy production, nature walks)

• Cover’s Apple Ranch (not affiliated with TuCARE tours, but nearby)
• Gaiser Ranch (Cattle and Horse Ranching)
• Miwuk/East Hwy. 108 to Pinecrest (15-40 minutes from Sonora, east)
• Summit Ranger District Office and Visitor Center (Forestry, Recreation, Wildlife Habitat)
• Bauhr Ranch (Horse Ranching and Horse Training)
• Stanislaus National Forest Sites (Forestry, Wildlife Habitat, Water Shed Management, Etc.)
• Private forest land sites—mostly Sierra Pacific lands (Forestry related tours)
• Aspen Meadows Pack Station and Meadow (Biodiversity, Recreation, Cattle Ranching)
• Pinecrest Lake (Biodiversity, Habitat, Recreation, Water Resources)
• Dodge Ridge Ski and Recreation Area (Biodiversity, Habitat, Recreation)

Based on the time of year, the weather conditions, etc. tours can be held in the Miwuk and above area through the end of October and possibly into November, then resuming in late March or early April, again depending on weather. Tours on the Stanislaus National Forest are in conjunction with Forest Staff. Forestry related tours on private timber land is dependent on whether an active forestry project is taking place unless the tour is for biodiversity, nature walks, or some other non-timber related excursion.

• Chinese Camp Mill, Jamestown Energy (3-3.5 hours)—Wood Products & Uses of Wood for Energy
• Chinese Camp Mill, Jamestown Energy, Tulloch Dam (4-5 hours)—Wood Products & Alternative Energy
• Columbia State Park —Mining, Now and Then
•  Chinese Camp Mill, Jamestown Energy, Tulloch Dam (4-6 hours)—Tuolumne County Natural Resource Overview
• Forest Tour (active logging site), Chinese Camp Mill (4 hours)—From Wood to Lumber
• Forest Tour (active logging site), Chinese Camp Mill, Ultra Power (5 hours)—From Wood to Lumber to Energy
• Canyon Walk, Covers Apple Ranch (3-3.5 hours)—Biodiversity and Habitat Walk with Apple Farm Experience
• Aspen Meadows Pack Station (horse back rides available for a fee), Meadow Study (3-4 hours)—1 hour pack trip on horseback and/or pack demonstration with butterfly/bug talk in the meadow
• Logging site, Aspen Meadows Station, Pinecrest Lake (4-5 hours)—The Multiple Uses of the Forest

All tours can be customized with your needs in mind. Tour materials are available for all age groups/grade levels. Additional activities, nearby recreation facilities, parks, public restrooms and picnic areas can be suggested if needed.

Note: Some locations do not allow children under the age of 5-6 (with rare exceptions), especially in lumber mills, the biomass plant, the mine and the dam. Sierra Pacific Industries requires all participants to sign a waiver of release of liability before attending the tours. Weather is a big factor for most tours. Blue Mt. Minerals is only available for tours in dry weather. The Melones Visitor center is not open year-round for tours. Cattle ranch trips (excluding the Brooks and Mother Lode ranches) are only available when cattle are not on high country ranges (usually after October 15th and before April 15th). The Aspen Meadow station is not open after October until late spring. Meadow tours can still be held until wet weather. Ultra Power is usually closed for tours all of May. Tulloch Dam does not allow tours on outage days.