High Country Inn

“Out of the way, but out of this world!” is how Bon Apetit magazine described High Country Inn. Nestled in the heart of the Sierras about 130 miles northeast of Sacramento and 80 miles west of Reno, the High Country Inn is located on the corner of California S.R. 49 and Gold Lake Road in Sierra City, in the middle of the Tahoe National Forest.

 

The High Country Inn is open year around, and outdoor activities are available during all four seasons. There are over twenty mountain lakes with abundant populations of trout within ten miles of the Inn, as well as a wide network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Five golf courses are located in nearby Graeagle, only seventeen miles away. In addition, there are opportunities for cycling, swimming, and boating, as well as several museums, antique shops and historic gold mines to visit.

 

Winter activities include snowmobiling, with well-groomed trails located right outside the Inn, as well as cross-country (Nordic) skiing throughout the Yuba River region. Best of all is the lack of crowds. In fact, this relatively unfrequented part of California may be the last uncrowded area left in the Golden State. Sierra City itself is a town rich with history, first settled in 1850 as a gold mining camp. The town was completely destroyed in an avalanche in 1853m and it was several years before it was permanently resettled. It has a permanent population of no more than 200; even at the height of tourist season, it is never more than 3000.

 

The High Country Inn has four suites available, each of which features spectacular views, king-sized beds, tasteful décor and private baths. The Golden Pond Suite faces the east toward the Sierra Buttes and the Yuba River, has a Jacuzzi tub and deck access. The Sierra Buttes Suite features views of the pond and has a large antique tub and a fireplace. The Howard Creek Suite faces the pond and the creek, while the Aspen looks out onto the aspen strand and the Sierra Buttes beyond.

 

While snow is plentiful during the winter and the town itself is at an altitude of over 4000 feet above sea level, its location keeps the temperatures reasonably mild; the mountains shield the community from the worst of the winter winds coming down from nearby Donner Pass and block the summer heat that rises from California’s Central Valley to the west. The temperatures range from a summer high of around 85 degrees Fahrenheit to a winter low of around 27.

 

For those considering a visit to the High Country Inn and California’s historic Gold Rush country, the proprietors have created a “virtual tour” that is available for download from the Inn’s website. It is a self-contained, executable file (Windows OS only) that will allow one to see 360 degree views of several of the Inn’s interior areas.