Indian Creek Road

	Keystone Dam This dam was located just below Doolittle Bridge. Photo courtesy Hazel Joyner

Keystone Flume Fed by Indian Creek & Keytone Dam, this flume was utilized for irrigating Reeves Ranch in Happy Camp. As shown, locals also used the flume as a path to walk to town. Photo courtesy Hazel Joyner

At least 20 Forest Service roads leave the Scenic Byway off Indian Creek Road. These roads offer access to a variety of natural, historic and recreational areas. Check with the Forest Service or local merchants for current road information. Outplant Site: Turnoff at mile marker 6.7- This forestry research nursery consists of a 40-acre, genetic study site that investigates tree grafting, breeding, pollination, vegetation management and fertilizer trials. Tests are also conducted on mycorrhizal (fungus) associations, insect studies and control and a variety of other factors that could impact the health of our forests. Visitors should continue past the first gated entrance and turn left at the second road.

18. South Fork of Indian Creek Road. #17N32: Mile marker 7.0 South Fork was the source of water for the Davis/Van Brunt hydraulic mine in Happy Camp, 12 "ditch" miles away. The Chan Jade mine is located three miles up the road. This unique stone is known as Happy Camp Jade and sometimes has gold embedded inside the opaque, pearly mineral. Between 1983 and 1987, salmon rearing ponds were located here and produced nearly 35,000 fingerlings annually. The fish were fed, monitored and raised to almost a sixth of a pound in weight then released into Indian Creek the end of the hatchery season in fall.

Indian Creek at Buchannan Falls Photo courtesy Greg Macdonald

• Established in 1853, Indian Town later boasted 450 people while Happy Camp claimed only 100. Imagine the two story hotel, butcher shop, bakery, grocery store, school, bowling alley, blacksmith shop, and numerous hardrock mines surrounding the town. Indian Town originated due to the abundant gold deposits and the nearby Waldo Trail. This supply route was a main mule pack trail to and from Crescent City.
• The Classic Hill mine is located across the creek up the mountainside. It was a huge and profitable hydraulic mine owned by James Camp and Jack Titus in the 1860s. An excellent view of this mine can be seen looking south from the West Branch Campground turnoff.
• Directly below the Classic Hill was a profitable Chinese-owned mine. The men worked for years digging a tunnel deep into the mountain until there was a massive cave-in and many were buried. Being a superstitious bunch, most of the locals refused to mine the area again, bringing an end to Indian Town.
• 11.4 Mile Marker: Right after crossing the bridge at Indian Creek, look for a sign on the side of the road marking the entrance to a narrow trail that leads to seven spawning channels. These cement structures are for Steelhead, Coho and Chinook salmon rearing. The side channel is used as a safe haven to protect the eggs and gravel from fast flood waters. This area is part of a riparian reserve.
  

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