Explore Tuolumne County — Yosemite’s Northwest Neighbor
Located about an hour northwest of Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat Entrance, Tuolumne County (www.visittuolumne.com) makes the perfect stop along the way to the popular national park. Not only does the area offer some beautiful rugged scenery, but the large crowds that sometimes flock to Yosemite are refreshingly absent in this neck of the woods. And rural doesn’t necessarily mean inaccessible either, as there’s no shortage of trails, attractions and lodging options for wheelchair-users and slow walkers in this scenic foothill area.
Take a Hike
Not only is Sonora the lone incorporated city in Tuolumne County, but with a population of just under 5,000, it’s also the largest. It was settled by Mexican miners during the early gold rush in 1848, and subsequently nicknamed the Queen of the Southern Mines. Located at the intersection of historic Highway 49 and well traveled Highway 108, this bustling burg sees its fair share of visitors. That said, it’s also home to a secluded creekside trail that offers folks a chance to enjoy the quieter side of city life.
Part of the larger Dragoon Gulch Trail, the accessible creekside trail is pretty easy to find. Just head north on Highway 49 through the center of town, and bear left at the red church. Go through the first intersection, then make a right on Calaveras and a left on Alpine. Bear left at the next intersection, and look for the trailhead and parking area at the end of the street. And if you need a GPS reference, 545 Alpine Lane will get you pretty close.
Accessible parking is available in the paved lot, with barrier-free access over to the trailhead. The wide, level, paved trail winds through the woods alongside the creek. Trees line both sides of the half-mile trail, which offers some shady respite in the summer. The trail ends at North Woods Drive, but it’s a pleasant out and back jaunt. Plan ahead though, as there are no restrooms at the Alpine trailhead.
Sip Some Cider
If you’d like to take a little country drive and sample some local hard cider, then head on out to Indigeny Reserve (indigenyreserve.com). Located about 15 minutes from downtown Sonora, this organic cidery is the brainchild of Jay and Judy Watson, who purchased the 160-acre parcel in 2005. Their company name is a combination of two words — indigenous and synergy — which represent the guiding principles the Watson’s used in the development of the land. Their goal was not only to preserve the orchard that dated back to the 1900s, but to also build an attractive and sustainable tasting facility from repurposed materials. The Watsons succeeded grandly in both departments, and they opened Indigeny to the public in 2012.
Accessible parking is located near the main building, with level access over to the tasting room. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair over to the lowered bar where you can sample their Extra Crisp or Blackberry Cider. They usually also have a harvest blend available to taste, but that selection changes throughout the year. And for a real treat, visitors are invited in to the adjacent barrel room to sample some brandy.
There’s good access throughout the whole facility, including the small gift shop and the accessible restrooms. And on weekends guided tours — which are also wheelchair-accessible — are led by Jay. Visitors can purchase cider by the bottle, or opt to enjoy a glass or two outside. And for a perfectly pleasant afternoon, pick up a picnic lunch before you leave Sonora, and dine al fresco in the accessible picnic area near the tasting room.
A Blast from the Past
Located about a 10-minute drive from Sonora, Columbia is also a Tuolumne County favorite, especially if you’re interested in California Gold Rush history. Now a state park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552), the town was originally founded in 1850 as a tent town to house several thousand miners.
Today Columbia exists pretty much as it did during the boom days. Docents dress in period consumes and give visitors a real flavor for gold rush life. And since the town is level – and cars are not permitted in the historic section – it’s easy to roll down the middle of the street.
There are several accessible parking areas, but the most popular spot is the lot near Broadway Street and Columbia Street. The accessible parking space near the picnic area a is your best bet, as it’s close to an accessible boardwalk which leads up to Washington Street. Accessible parking is also available on Jackson Street, across from the St. Charles Saloon, and on State Street, behind the Columbia House Restaurant.
A good place to get your bearings is at the Native Sons of the Golden West Museum, which houses an information center and includes a collection of old photos and artifacts about 1850s Columbia. Save some time to browse around town and visit the Wells Fargo Office, Candy Kitchen, Columbia House Mercantile and the Douglas Saloon – all of which are wheelchair-accessible. There’s also level access to the old jail, but it’s best to approach it from the accessible parking area on Columbia Street, as the dirt path from Main Street is pretty bumpy.
Get to Columbia early early in the day though – it opens at 10 – as it’s a favorite for school field trips. Generally it’s pretty quiet in the mornings, but it’s usually packed full of overly energetic children in the afternoons.
Stay a Spell
If you plan to spend a few days in the area, the Black Oak Casino Hotel (www.blackoakcasino.com), which is located in Sonora, is a good place to land. Located in a separate building from the casino, the hotel features accessible parking in front, with level access to the lobby through an automatic door. Complimentary valet parking is also available. Inside, there’s good pathway access throughout the lobby and over the the registration desk.
Room 129, which is located on the lobby level, features a lowered peephole, wide doorways, lever handles, good pathway access and floors covered with tile and low-pile carpet. The guestroom is furnished with a 27-inch high king-sized platform bed, with wheelchair access on both sides. two night stands, an easy chair, a chest of drawers and a table with two chairs. The room also includes a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee maker. As an added bonus, the room offers a view of the nearby creek lined with pine trees.
The bathroom includes a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a low-step (two-inch) transfer-type shower, with grab bars a hand-held showerhead. The bathroom also includes a roll-under sink and a toilet with a horizontal grab bar on the back wall and a horizontal and vertical grab bar on the left wall (as seated). A portable shower chair is also available upon request.
And then there are those little extra touches , like the cute little plastic frog left on the bureau for “good luck in the casino”.
The public areas of the property are equally accessible, with elevator access to the upper floors and good wheelchair-access to the gift shop, bistro and lift-equipped pool. All in all, the Black Oak Casino Hotel makes a comfortable home base for any Tuolumne County visit.
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