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CELEBRATING OVER

Grosch Brothers Find Perfect Monster By Mark McLaughlin

The California Gold Rush had long since peaked by 1863, but countless western miners were still burning with lust for the precious metal. That spring, a hot rumor flashed through the foothill mining camps and word spread that veins of promising ore had been discovered at the mouth of Squaw Valley, high in the Sierra Nevada. A horde of 600 miners invaded the valley, each one anxious to strike it rich. Their dreams of instant wealth dissipated, however, when an assay of the red and yellow rock proved it to be worthless Rhyolite. The sobering news squelched the gold rush along the Truckee River and sent the miners packing. Few of them realized that this was not the first time that the mountains above Squaw Valley had influenced mining history. Just six years before, the secret to the riches of the famous Comstock Lode was lost there, buried in the deep drifts of an early Sierra blizzard. The story begins in 1849 when two brothers from Pennsylvania were caught up in the excitement of gold fever. Ethan Allen Grosch was only 23 years old when he and his younger brother, Hosea Ballou, decided to join the California Gold Rush. Unwilling to make the

long and tedious overland crossing, they sailed from Philadelphia on February 28, 1849. It was long trip and the two brothers didn’t reach San Francisco until six months later. Hosea was seriously ill with malaria and dysentery, and much too weak to work. Ethan took care of his younger sibling until his health returned and they finally began their prospecting during the summer of 1850. In 1853, after several frustrating years in the California gold diggings, they crossed the Sierra Nevada determined to find success at Gold Canyon, near present-day Virginia City, Nevada. The Grosch brothers suspected that the dark ore they found there was rich in silver, but the other miners figured it to be worthless lead and shoveled it aside. After three more years picking at the desert mountain slopes, the brothers found two potential ledges. In a letter dated November 3, 1856, they wrote home, “We found two veins of silver at the forks of Gold Canyon. One of these veins of silver is a perfect monster.” They staked a claim and named it “Pioneer.” There were about 100 grizzled prospectors combing Gold Canyon in 1856 and every one of them cursed the dark, clay-like substance that stuck to their pans and mining rockers. Unaware of the huge silver bonanza squishing beneath their boots they continued to hunt for their precious nuggets of gold. The slim pickings inspired little hope for the future, so these early miners spent most evenings betting their meager pouches of gold dust on card games or getting drunk on locally distilled “tarantula juice.” Continued on page 4

In treeless Nevada, miners used whatever was handy to build shelter. Photo courtesy Author's Collection

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beginning to speculate about the untold riches that would be theirs once they began to mine in earnest. In 1857, they wrote their father, “Our first assay was one-half ounce of rock; the result was $3,500 of silver to the ton. We have several other veins which are as yet untouched. We are very sanguine of ultimate success.” There was one major problem. Once surface or placer deposits were exhausted, the emphasis had to shift to hard rock mining, where teams of miners utilized explosives, timber and heavy machinery. To develop their secret silver bonanza, the two brothers needed venture capital to buy the equipment and hire the workers and no banker would loan them money unless they disclosed the nature of the investment. The Grosch boys wanted all of Gold Hill for themselves, but their greediness eventually worked against them.

feel very lonely and miss Hosea very much—so much that at times I am strongly tempted to abandon everything and leave the country forever, cowardly as such a course may be. But I shall go on; it is my duty.” Ethan became determined to reach Sacramento, secure the necessary capital, and develop the mine his brother had died for. He bundled up his assay reports and maps and filled a sack with some promising ore samples.

Richard Bucke, a friend, joined Ethan on November 20, 1857, and the two men made their way west into the High Sierra. As they approached Squaw Valley a severe snowstorm engulfed them. They made camp in the protected valley, but after several days their meager provisions were soon depleted. The two men decided that returning to Gold Hill would be as difficult as proceeding west. In spite of the onset of severe winter weather, During the summer of 1857, the Grosch they forced their way up into the mountains brothers convinced George Brown, a trusted to the rugged trail that led to Auburn (Western friend and Carson Valley cattle trader, to Henry Comstock, namesake of NeStates Trail). Soon they were waist deep in invest in the silver scheme. Unfortunately, vada’s legendary silver lode. Photo snow and when Ethan’s precious bundle of thieves robbed and murdered Brown before courtesy Nevada Historical Society maps began to get wet, he hid them in the he reached Gold Canyon. Next, Hosea’s rusty hollow of a fallen pine tree. The two men pick slipped and pierced his foot just below the ankle, making a deep and painful puncture. struggled on until they stumbled into a remote Continued from page 3 mining camp called the Last Chance. Both There was no physician nearby so Hosea just men’s legs were frozen and gangrene was washed the wound and returned to work. Serious and secretive about their work, the setting in. There was no doctor within miles Gangrene soon set in and Hosea contracted quiet and sober Grosch brothers kept to and no ether for an anesthetic. The miners “lock-jaw, ” a form of tetanus that contorts the themselves. They rarely visited town, and then operated on Bucke with a saw and knife, but face into a painful grimace. Thirteen days later, only to pick up a book or letter from home. it was too late for Ethan Allen. In his delirium, he died with that fatal grin fixed on his face. Unlike most of the other miners, the Grosch Allen babbled about his brother Hosea, the boys were well-educated and had training blue stuff and his mining company. On the Ethan was crushed by his brother’ s death, but in mineralogy and elementary chemistry. morning of December 19, 1857, Ethan Allen he would not give up. He wrote his father, “I Crammed into their little cabin were a large Grosch died from exposure. collection of technical books Bucke survived and later on mining and geology, Grosch Brothers Historical Marker in Silver City, Nevada. returned to his homeland two small furnaces, some Photo by Mark McLaughlin of Canada without revealing chemical-testing apparatus anything about the Grosch’s and various assayers’ tools. secret. The studious siblings The following June, two Irish spent their days climbing miners discovered a rich Mount Davidson gathering outcropping of gold and rock samples, and their silver quartz on land claimed evenings huddled over by Henry Comstock, and the their books, beakers and rest is history. ore specimens, trying to unlock the secret of the Tahoe historian Mark mysterious substance that McLaughlin is a nationally had everyone complaining. published author and While other miners in the professional speaker. His Washoe District kicked and award-winning books are cursed the mucky blueavailable at local stores or stuff, the Grosch boys were at www.thestormking.com. discovering that Gold Hill You can reach him at mark@ was bursting with rich veins thestormking.com of silver-bearing quartz. Privately, the brothers were

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TREE TALK Trees are virtually everywhere you turn, from your own backyard to nearby parks and forests where you enjoy hiking. They provide shade and beauty, and some even bear fruit. Beyond all the immediate benefits, you may be surprised to discover trees are also a critical key to the future. These facts and tips from the book “Now is the Time for Trees” offer practical insight on the importance of trees and how to nurture one from selection to planting and beyond. A compelling and ever-growing body of evidence generated by scientists, health care professionals, conservationists, humanitarians and both public and private corporations supports the critical importance of trees and their impact on the human condition. Trees filter pollutants out of the air and water and provide protection for people and communities from dangerous heat and flooding. They lower urban temperatures, reduce energy bills and sequester carbon to slow the rate of climate change. When you plant a tree in your yard or neighborhood, that tree goes to work filtering out pollutants, intercepting stormwater and

capturing carbon. With proper placement, that tree can also help lower household energy use by as much as 20%. You can engage in the tree planting movement and make a difference by planting trees around your home and surrounding community with these tips.

Consider the Growing Region Choosing a tree that will flourish in your growing region is fundamental to becoming a successful tree planter. Start by getting familiar with the growing conditions of your planting site, including factors like sunlight, soil condition and room to grow. The amount of available sunlight at your planting location will determine which tree species will be successful. Most trees require full sunlight for proper growth and flowering. Some do well in (or even prefer) partial or light shade, but few perform well in dense shade. Before you plant, get your soil tested by a lab to evaluate what’s happening underground. Test results, which are usually returned in a couple of weeks, provide a complete analysis of nutrients, possible contamination and pH

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(alkalinity or acidity), as well as directions for correcting problems. Be conscious of overhead or underground utilities, pavement, buildings, other trees, traffic intersections and other factors that may impact your planting space.

Shopping for a Tree When choosing which kind of tree to plant, be conscious of details like size, flowering, color (including how colors may vary through the seasons) and your view from inside the house. While shopping, you can rely on plant labels to learn details about a tree’s growth pattern, sun requirements, watering needs and soil requirements. Two common styles of trees are containergrown trees, which spend their entire nursery lives growing in a container, and ball-andburlap trees, which grow in the ground until they achieve a targeted size. A well-tended container-grown tree has been carefully monitored and moved into larger containers as the plant grows. Be wary of a tree with roots that circle or twist within the container, which may cause roots to die. For Continued on page 8

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Continued from page 6 a ball-and-burlap tree, look for a firm, securely tied root ball that is large enough to support the mature tree; it should be about 10-12 inches wide for every inch of trunk diameter.

Prepare Your Planting Site Properly preparing your planting site is one of the best things you can do to get your tree off to a strong start. Before you plant, make sure your tree is thoroughly hydrated by watering the container or root ball several hours before proceeding. When planting a tree into a lawn, remove a circle of grass at least 3 feet in diameter where the tree will go to reduce competition between turf and fine tree roots.

Start Digging Dig a broad, shallow planting hole with gently sloping sides 3-4 times wider than the diameter of the root mass and the same depth. Mound removed soil on a tarp for easy backfilling. Loosening the soil on the sides of the hole allows roots to easily expand and establish faster, but don’t disturb soil at the bottom of the hole. Once the tree is positioned, replace the soil while firmly but gently tamping the original soil around the base of the root ball to stabilize it. Create a water-holding basin around the tree by building up a ring of soil and water to settle roots. Spread protective mulch 2-4 inches deep in a 3-foot diameter around the base of the tree, but not touching the trunk. Find more tips to successfully plant and care for your trees at arborday.org.

A Handy Guide for Planting Trees A rally cry against climate change, “Now is the Time for Trees” is an inspirational and informative guide that explains the important role trees can play in preserving the environment. Author Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, offers compelling reasons to plant more trees while providing simple, actionable steps to get involved, choose the right tree and achieve planting success. For each book sold, the foundation will plant a tree in a forest in need. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit arborday.org/ TimeforTreesBook.

The Power of Trees

From backyards to tropical rain forests, trees provide the necessities of life. Trees clean air and water, provide habitats for wildlife, connect communities and support human health.

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Trees are a proven affordable, natural way to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Trees filter water and slow storm surge and flooding in cities.

Trees provide shade, cooling cities by up to 10 degrees, which can help prevent heat-related deaths.

Neighborhood trees can reduce stress, improve overall health in children and encourage physical activity.

Trees support wildlife and aquatic life by providing habitats and helping keep waterways healthy, which ensures ecosystem balance and promotes biodiversity.

Trees and other forest life work together to ensure a clean source of drinking water, buffer against extreme weather, provide medicines, offer outdoor recreation and enrich human culture.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

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Mountain Biking: Tahoe Basin Tahoe National Forest is a mountain bike riding hotspot set among the Sierra Nevada mountains. The forest covers 850,000 acres from Nevada City east of Sacramento to Reno west of Lake Tahoe, with lush flora, high, clean lakes, and peaks rising to 9,000 feet. The terrain is adorned with both groomed singletrack and rocky backcountry dirt, stoking any mountain biker’s adventurous desire.

Pioneer Trail This 25-mile trail is part of the Nevada City Dirt Classic and a National Recreation Trail. It’s fun and relatively flat, although the difficulty increases from west to east. Stop at Spaulding Lake and ride back, or keep on for more XC. No need to cycle the whole thing, there are multiple entrance points from Hwy 20.

Tahoe is one of the most popular and frequented federal lands in the country, situated between Plumas and Eldorado National Forests. Donner Pass, Downieville, Granite Chief Wilderness, the Pacific Crest Trail, and Truckee are all in Tahoe National Forest.

Downieville Downhill Downieville has some wicked descents. Butcher Ranch, Third Divide, and Sunrise are must-ride singletrack descents that have earned the region’s fame. On top of that, they run through some of the most beautiful landscape in the country.

Hole in the Ground Even advanced riders will enjoy the 17 mile trip with rocky, tricky sections and switchbacks. More? Make it a loop to avoid the shuttle or ride the Donner Lake Rim Trail.

South Yuba Trail

Technical singletrack anyone? The South Yuba Trail traverses over 20 miles through deep forest east of Nevada City, CA. The trail along the Yuba River is rough and narrow in places. Donner Lake Rim Trail The scenery is fantastic, as is most of the singletrack in this area. It’s mostly technical granite with a great descent in the center. It connects to but travels opposite (east) of Hole in the Ground. The trailhead parking is off Castle Valley Road.

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Tahoe Flume Trail The breathtaking panoramas make it a must-ride. This trail offers several decent climbs and descents (depending on the direction you take it, Truckee: or if you ride it as an out and back). However, its lack South Lakeallows Tahoe: of formality it to be used by anyone. The trail is exposed in places, so be aware if you’re afraid of heights. It’s accessible from Spooner Lake State Park or the Tahoe Rim Trail.

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Help us protect our serene outdoor environment – it’s why people visit, it’s why people live here, it’s why people fly here.

Truckee Tahoe Airport works diligently to be a good neighbor and partner with our growing community.

The Airport Board of Directors and staff are engaging with our community on new programs such as: • Implementing greenhouse gas reduction programs in our skies and on the ground. • Developing new flight procedures to mitigate aircraft noise and annoyance. • Partnering with local agencies to tackle regional issues like workforce housing, transportation, wildfire prevention and tourism. • Exploring ways to enhance our Airport’s connection with the community and airport users. Learn how visitors, community members, pilots and passengers are working together to keep the Truckee/North Tahoe area an amazing place! www.TruckeeTahoeAirport.com Connected by More than a Runway Photo: Tom Lippert; Pilot: Laurel Lippert

Spring 2022 | Northwoods Tahoe Spring 2021 11 9 Summer

INVESTING IN THE WORLD AROUND YOU

In a world fraught with social, political and environmental strife, a mindset that involves a more community-driven approach can make a meaningful difference. Each person’s contributions to improve the earth can send a ripple effect that ultimately transforms communities and the people who live within them. Consider these examples of actions you can take, some bigger than others, that benefit the larger community.

Create Shared Common Spaces

Nearly every community can benefit from the addition of resources that benefit multiple families. Examples include community gardens, playgrounds, parks and sites for regular farmers’ markets, to name a few. Acquiring the space is often the greatest challenge, but if you’re inspired to lead such an effort, forming a committee of like-minded peers can be an effective step toward raising the funds to create a project that benefits the community at large.

Donate to Charitable Causes

Supporting the efforts of existing organizations that help fill gaps in your community is another way you can make a difference. Offering your time as a volunteer

is one option. You might provide extra hands for relatively simple jobs like sorting food or clothing donations, or if you have a particular skill, talent or training, donating your time and expertise could help offset administrative expenses and help the organization operate more efficiently. Financial contributions are also a meaningful way to support a worthwhile cause in your community. Writing a check may not feel as personal as getting hands-on to help, but without the support of financial donors, philanthropic organizations simply couldn’t provide the community resources they do.

Snack Smarter

When you’re thinking in terms of how to improve your community, your eating choices may not be on your radar. However, what you eat has a major impact on the community in multiple ways. That’s why you hear a great deal of talk about sustainability directed at food production, which affects the environment in numerous ways along the food supply chain, from air pollution to waste to energy consumption. By choosing ingredients and foods that minimize the impact on the environment, you can show food manufacturers that consumers want products sourced and produced responsibly. Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 12 One example is Airly Oat Cloud crackers; each box explains how many grams of carbon dioxide you are helping remove from the air by supporting an innovative farming technique, which makes agriculture a solution, not a contributor, to climate change. Sustainable can be tasty, too. Made with real, wholesome and 100% delicious ingredients, all four flavor varieties (Cheddar, Sea Salt, Chocolate and Salted Caramel) make for satisfying, convenient anytime snacks.

Support Local Businesses

Particularly over the past couple of years, local businesses have fought hard to stay open, modifying their services, adapting to the times and generally trying to keep themselves and their local employees afloat. Rewarding those efforts by shopping in their stores and hiring their services keeps your money within the local community while keeping your friends and neighbors employed. Those benefits aside, there are practical advantages to doing your shopping locally, such as lower emissions and energy consumption for transportation to and from the store or business.

Clean Up Public Spaces

Beautification projects not only make your community a more inviting place to be, they can actually be good for the earth. Removing litter allows natural vegetation and wildlife to thrive, reduces health risks and promotes safety by sending a clear message that the community cares about its space. Learn more about ways to take personal action to promote a better world at AirlyFoods.com. Photos courtesy of Getty Images

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