The Drive » Continue around
the lake and retrace the route
south on Hwy 89, which will
bring you back to the Feather
River Scenic Byway. You’ll hit
Quincy when the road makes a
T-junction.4 quincy
Idyllic Quincy
(population 1738) is
one of the Northern
Mountains three
mountain communities,
which teeter on the
edge of becoming an
incorporated town. It’s
no metropolis, but after
the route along the
Feather it may feel like
one: it boasts a large
grocery and two of the
three fast-food franchises
in the entirety of Plumas
County. Three streets
make up Quincy’s low-
key commercial district.
Pick up free walking and
driving tour pamphlets
from the visitors center
to guide you through the
gorgeous surrounding
American Valley. One of
the nicest community
museums in the state
is also located here, the
Plumas County Museum
(%530-283-6320; http://www.
plumasmuseum.org; 500
Jackson St, at Coburn St; adult/
child $1/50¢; h8am-5pm
Mon-Sat, also 10am-4pm Sun
May-Sep), amid flowering
gardens. Visit the
museum and you’ll find
that the building houses
hundreds of historical
photos and relics from
the county’s pioneer and
Maidu days, early miningand timber industries,
and construction of the
Western Pacific Railroad.5 p251
The Drive » Continue down
Hwy 70/89 passing horse
pastures and distant mountain
views. At Graeagle, take a fork in
the road following Hwy 89, then
after about 2 miles take a right
on Gold Lake Hwy and start
climbing.5 Lakes Basin
Haven Lake, Gold Lake,
Rock Lake, Deer Lake:
dotted with crystal
alpine waters, this area
is a secluded corner of
paradise. Over a dozen
of these gems can be
reached only on foot and
great trails are virtually
endless – you can evenTRIP HIGHLIGHTMICHAEL HALBERSTADT / ALAMY ©CENTRAL.CALIFORNIA.23
(^) FEATHER RIVER SCENIC BYWAY