Kiosk at Kyburz Flat Interpretive Center
At QWR we believe “The Trails You Take on Life’s Journey are
Important.” Trails and forest roads can
offer adventure riders a link to our past via interpretive centers often found
along both well-traveled and less-traveled routes.
Station One: Kyburz Petroglyph
While participating in the 2013 Reno 200 Dual Sport Ride
this past weekend, I stopped at the Kyburz Interpretive Center to learn
about what took place in this remote valley over the last 2,000 years. This center is located on the Tahoe National Forest’s Sierraville
Ranger District.
According to information at the kiosk, the valley was
inhabited as early as 2,000 years ago by ancestors of the Washoe Indians who lived
and hunted in the area. At one of the
three interpretive sites, there are rocks that contain cupules which are a form
of petroglyphs. Cupules are round pits
that were etched into the rocks and are believed to be associated with various
Native American rituals. This site remains important to the Washoe Tribe.
Link to GPS Coordinates for Kyburz Flat Interpretive Center
In the 1850s, emigrants began to travel through this
area. Henness Pass Road had a stagecoach
stop in the 1860s at this site and the route also provided access to this
valley for grazing and timber. Basques also ran sheep in this area starting in the early 1900s.
Next time you are in this part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
just north of Truckee, California, take time to enjoy this information center
and reflect on the many treasures that are part of our collective history.
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