AT A GLANCE
FREE TOURS at
Black Chasm, Moaning Cavern & Sutter Gold Mine
 TIMES TO AVOID

The following list shows school reservations scheduled for the next 2 weeks.

In order to avoid a long wait for your free tour, please try to schedule your visit(s) for times other than those listed below. This list was compiled 1/28/05. Please call 736-2708 for updates.

BLACK CHASM
2/16...11:30am - 12pm
2/18...1pm - 2:30pm

SUTTER GOLD MINE
2/3....10am - 11am
2/4....10am - 12:30pm
2/11...2pm - 3pm
2/16...10am - 1pm
2/18...10am - 11:30am

MOANING CAVERN
2/2....10am - 11:30am
2/3....10am - 11:30am
2/4....11am - 12pm
2/8....10am - 11:30am
2/9....10am - 11:30am
2/10..10am - 11:30am
2/16...10am - 11:30am
2/17...10am - 11:30am
WHAT:
Free guided walking tours at Black Chasm, Moaning Cavern and Sutter Gold Mine.
We are offering free guided walking tours to residents of Calaveras, Amador & Tuolumne counties at Black Chasm Cavern, Moaning Cavern & Sutter Gold Mine on weekdays January 31st, 2005 through February 18, 2005.

Just bring evidence of residence in any of the three counties, such as a driver's license, or utilities bill, to receive your free tours of these local attractions.

Sierra Nevada Recreation president Stephen Fairchild, says he wants the local community to feel like these are their attractions, and to get better acquainted with them.

Fairchild says: "I have often heard locals say that they know about Moaning Cavern, Sutter Gold Mine or Black Chasm, but they have either never visited, or have not visited in years. This is a time when tri-county residents can get reacqainted with these unique attractions, and know that we have much to offer them throughout the year. In addition, we have made many improvements over the last couple of years, and this will be a great way to let our locals experience them firsthand. "

This offer is available to local families and individuals only. Tours will be given on their regular schedules, on a first-come, first-served basis. School groups which have prepaid & reserved field trips will take precedence over local free tour visitors. Locals are advised to time their free trips so as not to coincide with school group tours, to avoid a long wait. A list of group reservations is provided in the column at right.

The 45-minute Black Chasm tours and 1-hour Sutter Gold Mine Tours (provided hardhats required underground) leave approximately on the hour beginning at 10 am and ending with the last tour which leaves at 4 pm. At Moaning Cavern, 45-minute tours leave approximately every 45 minutes and go from 10 am until the last tour at 5 pm.

Black Chasm is located in Volcano, just outside Pine Grove off Hwy 88, Sutter Gold Mine is on Hwy 49 just north of downtown Sutter Creek, and Moaning Cavern in Vallecito, is off Parrotts Ferry Road, close to Hwy 4.

click here for map & directions
WHEN:
Weekdays only from January 31st to February 18, 2005.
WHO:
Individuals & families who can bring proof of residency in Amador, Calaveras or Tuolumne county.
HOW:
Tours at each location will run on the regular schedule, on a first-come, first-served basis. Paying groups will take precedence over free tours.
WHY:
We love our locals! (And, we want you to get to know us better!)