Chapter Council Meeting for June 7, 2008
Odd Fellows Hall
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Highway 49, Coloma, CA
The June meeting is located along the South Fork American River in the Marshall Gold
Discovery State Historic Park. We will be meeting in the Odd Fellows Hall which is one of the
oldest 2 story wooden buildings in continuous use in Coloma. This building has been occupied
since 1854 by Coloma Lodge #27.
The Chapter Council meeting begins at 8 am on Saturday morning with a light breakfast; lunch
and dinner will also be offered. Reservations for food must be made by Monday, June 2. Fill
out the form below and deliver to the CNPS state office with payment. Details on the meeting
agenda will follow.
Directions to Coloma
Coloma is located approximately 50 miles east of Sacramento. The nearest airport is
Sacramento Metropolitan.
From Sacramento:
East on Highway 50 to North Shingle Drive/Ponderosa Road (this is one exit after Cameron
Park Drive exit)
Left onto Ponderosa Road at stop light and over freeway
Right at stop light onto North Shingle Road
Continue on this road for about 10 miles (Bear left at the Y about halfway along where the
name of the road changes to Lotus Road)
Right at stop sign on to Highway 49 (Sierra Nevada House is on the corner)
Head through Marshall Gold State Historic Park on Highway 49
Odd Fellows Hall is on the right and set back from the highway; it is at other end of park just
before the highway turns hard to the right
From Sacramento (alternate):
East on Highway 80 to Auburn
South on Highway 49 to Coloma about 17 miles (very windy road through Auburn Ravine)
Head through Marshall Gold State Historic Park on Highway 49
Odd Fellows Hall is on the right and set back from the highway; it is at other end of park just
before the highway turns hard to the right
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Meal Reservations
Send check and reservation form to CNPS state office by Monday, June 2:
CNPS, 2707 K Street, Suite 1, Sacramento CA 95816-5113, attn: Cari Porter
Name(s)___________________________________________________________________
Breakfast: Pastries, bagels/cream cheese, fruit, coffee, tea, juice
________ x $2 = ________
Lunch: Sandwich (half or whole, two side salads, cookie and beverage)
Turkey on Sourdough
_________ x $9 (half sandwich) = ________
_________ x $10 (whole sandwich) = ________
Roast Beef on Whole Wheat
_________ x $9 (half sandwich) = ________
_________ x $10 (whole sandwich) = ________
Deluxe Veggie on Squaw
_________ x $9 (half sandwich) = ________
_________ x $10 (whole sandwich) = ________
Dinner: Choice of two entrees with sides of roasted new potatoes with rosemary and mixed greens with
red onion, apple and feta cheese served dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette. Includes assorted breads
and butter; coffee, lemonade, iced tea; and dessert.
Barbequed chicken with spicy peach glaze
______ x $17 = _________
Linguini al Pesto ala Moda
(green beans, red bliss potatoes and pine nuts)
______ x $17 = _________
Total $__________
Reservation and Payment Due to CNPS Office by June 2
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Dinner Program
Serpentine Geology in California
Dr. Hugh Safford will talk to us about the ecology of the vegetation on ultramafic “serpentine”
soils in California. Particular focus will be on the geology of ultramafic outcrops, the pedology
of soils developing on them, and the ways in which these factors influence vegetation structure,
composition and diversity. Over the last decade, Dr. Safford and coworkers have carried out a
series of studies on serpentine vegetation, dealing with disturbance ecology, biodiversity
patterns, vegetation distribution, and patterns of exotic species invasion and endemism. Dr.
Safford will also discuss summarizing and generalizing these studies for the lay audience.
Dr. Hugh Safford is a geologist-ecologist with joint appointments as a Research Associate at UC
Davis and as a Regional Ecologist for the US Forest Service. Hugh has conducted research on
plant species diversity in California and the possible causes of serpentine-regional patterns. Hugh
works on many forms of disturbance in California plant communities and has extensive
background in the effects of fire on botanical community diversity.
Field Trip
Sunday, June 8, Traverse Creek Special Interest Area (SIA)
Take a tour of this montane serpentine area on the edge of the Eldorado National Forest. This is
a short walk that will feature some of the plants discussed by Hugh Safford at the evening
program. This large serpentine area at 2,400’ elevation is located about 4 miles south of
Georgetown. On this trip to Traverse Creek we can expect to see plenty of later-blooming
favorites, such as Leopard Lily (Lillium pardilinum), Mariposa Tulip (Calochortus superbus),
and the rare Sanborn's Onion (Allium sanbornii). A wide variety of microhabitats - rocky
outcrops, chaparral, and streamside – will be visited. This also is an area of geological interest.
Accommodations
See listing of “Accommodations in the Coloma vicinity.” There are a number of inns and
campgrounds in the Coloma area as well as Placerville and Cameron Park. Please make your
reservations ASAP since the Coloma Blues Festival is the same weekend as our meeting.
A group campground that accommodates 21 people for both Friday and Saturday nights has been
reserved at Camp Lotus. This is for tent or outdoor sleeping and the cost is $10 per person per
night. The campground has showers. Notify Sue Britting (britting@earthlink.net) by May 1 to
establish your reservation for the campsite.
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Things to Do in Coloma
American River Conservancy and Nature Center (http://www.arconservancy.org/)
A land trust and nature center working in the American and Consumes watersheds. The
American River Conservancy has been successful in the protection of over 10,000 acres of native
fisheries, wildlife habitat, woodlands, and endangered species habitat since 1989. This
organization has taken a lead role in the habitat acquisition program to support the recovery plan
for the Pine Hill Preserve. The nature center provides interpretive services on natural history to
state park visitors.
Rafting the South Fork American River
White water rafting on the South Fork American River is one of the areas main attractions. The
American River Conservancy offers benefit raft trips. Local rafting companies donate trips to
ARC and the revenue from the trips supports ARC. Book a river adventure through ARC and
you’ll experience the river and protect and upland habitat too. Call ARC to make a reservation
(530) 621-1224.
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=484)
This state historic park is the site of gold discovery in California. The park offers a museum,
outdoor exhibits, and picnic grounds, all fronting the South Fork American River.
Coloma Blues Festival, Saturday, June 7 (http://www.colomablueslive.com/cbl_home.html
Check out the website for a preview of the line-up.
Food and Drink
Inexpensive - $, Moderate - $$, and Splurge - $$$
Located at the corner of Highway 49 and Lotus Road
Sierra Nevada House - Enjoy a fine dining experience in elegant surroundings, savoring such
menu items as seafood, pasta and steak. Summer weekends, look for an outdoor barbecue and
live music at the more casual River Cafe. Full bar. $$-$$$.
Located in Lotus (heading north on Highway 49 just across the bridge)
Coloma Club - Classic hearty American fare served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open 6:30
a.m. $-$$$. Full bar. Highway 49.
Marco's Café (next to Shell Gas Station) - Serving Roman-style pizza, salads, Italian espresso
drinks and local beer and wine in an outdoor setting. This popular hangout offers live
entertainment during the summer months. Draft and bottled beer. $-$$.
River Shack - Deli sandwiches and beverages are served in a friendly atmosphere. Draft and
bottled beer. Eat in or out. $-$$.
Sierra Rizing Bakery - Coffee, tea, yummy fresh-baked goods, and simple lunches are served at
this busy little place. Open daily year-round from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended summer
hours. $-$$.
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