"Arnold - in Calaveras County" Arnold by ranger49

Arnold Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 4 photos

Logging and Tourism

Arnold is a small community in Calaveras County, within the Stanilaus National Forest. and it was our base for a week of sight seeing. At an altitude of over 4000 ft. - towards the end of March it provided us with some interesting variations in weather patterns.
When we arrived at our rented home there were lingering signs of heavy snow all around, but skies were bright and the temperature pleasantly warm.
Throughout our stay Ebbetts Pass to Lake Tahoe remained closed and an unexpected snowfall towards the end of the week had us worried that our plans for the long road trip planned to take us back to Carlsbad might be postponed . But a rapid thaw and a lot of sunshine.saw us on our way

Arnold is reached by turning off Highway 49 at Angels Camp onto Highway 4 so it is not, strictly speaking, part of the "mother lode" line of old, gold mining villages strung out alongside Route 49 .

Mills for the timber industry were established here in the 1860s at a time when hundreds - thousands - of people were moving west in search of success and a new life.
Twenty years later the Gold Rush spread to this part of California and in the 1880s the demand for timber rose - for homes, for the mines and for the fast expanding rail network.
Soon explorers, travellers - even tourists arrived, offering new possibilities to be exploited by the pioneers set on settling down and making a new life in what must have seemed a mighty wilderness.

It was a couple called Bob and Bernice Arnold who gave a name to the town that grew and took shape here.
They spent over 10 years building a home for themselves, then built the Ebbetts Pass Inn and Restaurant, which opened in 1939.

I couldn't help thinking how intrepid these pioneers must have been to come to a land inhabited by bears, mountain lions and all manner of other wild creatures, living rough whilst building their own homes, starting business and bringing up families.
What would they think now of the number of second homes and holiday homes, the golf courses, ski lodges, campsites for RVs with all amenities - including electric plug ins, showers and toilets!

I would love to see again some of those "opening up the west" films I recall from the 1940s and 50s..

I read that the permanent population of Arnold in 2000 was 4200 but got no sense of a "town" centre.
Highway 4 slices through the town where there are a few business and a couple of mini- shopping plazas.
The main centre seems to be around the public buildings and offices just off the Highway,
But this was a good place to stay - all our self catering needs were met and it made a really good base for exploring the surounding historic towns and majestic countryside.

Last visit to Arnold: Mar 2010
Intro Updated May 12, 2010
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Reviews (3)

Visit the local library Things to Do (1)

We did not have the best of internet connections where we were staying, and also needed printing facilities - so our... more travel advice

A mountain cabin among the Pines - Arnold

A mountain cabin among the Pines Hotels (1)

This was a very comfortable, spacious holiday home with good facilities and furnishings. We were surrounded by the pine... more travel advice

Shopping for self caterers. Shopping (1)

At first sight, as you drive along Highway 4, the shopping possibilities for self caterers do not appear too promising.... more travel advice

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Comments (4)

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Bwana_Brown Aug 21, 2010 at 1:15 PM

It looks like you enjoyed your time in the forests of California, especially with your great accommodations find. It is always nice to have trees and animals close at hand!
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balhannah Jun 18, 2010 at 12:15 AM

How nice you lodge sounds. Would love having the Deer nearby.
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Yaqui May 17, 2010 at 8:14 AM

Excellent tips Barbara! Arnold looks like a neat community!
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Greggor58 May 13, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Big tree country is always a treat for me Barbara...looking forward to more..I'm sure you must have gazillions of photos and lots of writing ahead of you..Happy Friday!!