From Jackson you can venture up Highway 88 which will bring you into the National Forest. While there you can enjoy some beautiful alpine lakes, the Kirkwood ski area, and the Muokelumne Wilderness.
The High Sierras of Amador County include Silver Lake, a beautiful alpine lake that has several resorts. The broad valleys are part of El Dorado National Forest and the Mokelumne Wilderness. The area offers plenty of opportunity for recreational fun, including hiking, backpacking, fishing and camping.
As you travel toward the mother lode, you can visit the small town of Volcano. It has the historic St. George hotel, one of the finest in Amador County. There are a few shops, a gallery and several historic buildings from the gold rush era. There is also the Volcano Amphitheater, a cobblestone theater that offers a quaint and intimate outdoor setting open the summer months. There is the “almost famous” shoe tree, created by a local resident; it is a “must see” during your visit.
Nearby is Indian Grinding Rock State Park, it has over one thousand mortar holes making it the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. Several times a year ceremonies are held in the roundhouse by local Native Americans. Their families gather at the park in September for the annual Acorn Harvest Thanksgiving ceremonies.
If you are interested in wine tasting, the Shenandoah Valley has over twenty wineries and is located near Plymouth.
This beautiful valley is worth the drive, even if you are not interested in the tasting rooms. There are several gold rush era towns in Amador County along highway 49, including the town of Amador City, Sutter Creek and Jackson. On weekends you can visit the Kennedy mine which offers guided tours, a gift shop and museum. Amador County offers several other historic museums.
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