Tuolumne Canal--Hiking & Fishing
Andy's Mountain Grill & Deli
Experience Mi Wuk Village
Mi-Wuk Village is a small town in the high country (above 4000 foot elevation) that is conveniently located, about 18 miles east of Sonora and 15 miles west of Pinecrest Lake. The town itself has three restaurants, a post office, ranger station, a motel, a bed & breakfast, and many rental cabins.
It is three miles from Twain Harte, which has restaurants, lodging, shopping, and services.
In the general Mi Wuk Village area are also the tiny towns of Sugar Pine (an expresso cafe and bakery, RV park, and mini-mart/gas station), Sierra Village (pizza parlor and gas station), and Long Barn (lodging).
Lyons Reservoir is a few miles from downtown Mi Wuk Village, is open from May to November, with hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. The photos show the dam.
Mi-Wuk Village is a small town in the high country (above 4000 foot elevation) that is conveniently located, about 18 miles east of Sonora and 15 miles west of Pinecrest Lake. The town itself has three restaurants, a post office, ranger station, a motel, a bed & breakfast, and many rental cabins.
It is three miles from Twain Harte, which has restaurants, lodging, shopping, and services.
In the general Mi Wuk Village area are also the tiny towns of Sugar Pine (an expresso cafe and bakery, RV park, and mini-mart/gas station), Sierra Village (pizza parlor and gas station), and Long Barn (lodging).
Lyons Reservoir is a few miles from downtown Mi Wuk Village, is open from May to November, with hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. The photos show the dam.
The Me-Wuk Indians
Mi Wuk Village was named to honor the Me-Wuk Indians who have lived in the area for centuries. (There are many alternative spellings, with the present Indians preferring "Me-Wuk".) The Me-Wuk lived in the foothills but would travel up to what is now Sonora Pass to meet with and trade with the eastern Sierra Paiute Indians, staying overnight at various points along the way. The finding of acorn grinding holes in rocks and chips of obsidian (which the Me-Wuks obtained from the Paiutes and used to make tools) are evidence that the Indians indeed stayed here.
The slide show above includes a photo showing a Me-Wuk dwelling made of cedar bark alongside an acorn granary.
The main street in Sonora was once an Indian trail, with a village near a creek. There were also Cherokees. The Me-Wuks were decentralized. (See the plaque memorializing William Fuller, an important Me-Wuk chief, and associated description. Click on Map-Based Guide and then "MI WUK VILLAGE" and "Chief Fuller Historical Marker").
The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians today have a rancheria (small reservation) in the town of Tuolumne and operate the Black Oak Casino there.
Mi Wuk Village was named to honor the Me-Wuk Indians who have lived in the area for centuries. (There are many alternative spellings, with the present Indians preferring "Me-Wuk".) The Me-Wuk lived in the foothills but would travel up to what is now Sonora Pass to meet with and trade with the eastern Sierra Paiute Indians, staying overnight at various points along the way. The finding of acorn grinding holes in rocks and chips of obsidian (which the Me-Wuks obtained from the Paiutes and used to make tools) are evidence that the Indians indeed stayed here.
The slide show above includes a photo showing a Me-Wuk dwelling made of cedar bark alongside an acorn granary.
The main street in Sonora was once an Indian trail, with a village near a creek. There were also Cherokees. The Me-Wuks were decentralized. (See the plaque memorializing William Fuller, an important Me-Wuk chief, and associated description. Click on Map-Based Guide and then "MI WUK VILLAGE" and "Chief Fuller Historical Marker").
The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians today have a rancheria (small reservation) in the town of Tuolumne and operate the Black Oak Casino there.
Activities
The video up and to the left shows hiking and fishing at the Tuolumne Canal, about two miles from Mi Wuk Village via Middle Camp Road.
In addition to the usual wildlife of squirrels, racoons, and deer, you might also see wild turkeys like the one below in Mi Wuk Village.
What's Nearby
Mi Wuk Village is in the high country along the Highway 108 corridor. On your way here you will pass through the foothills, near towns including Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia, and Murphys and pass by Twain Harte when entering the high country, and if you continue on you will pass through the Pinecrest area.
The video up and to the left shows hiking and fishing at the Tuolumne Canal, about two miles from Mi Wuk Village via Middle Camp Road.
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Press the button on the player that looks like this to display video as full screen. |
In addition to the usual wildlife of squirrels, racoons, and deer, you might also see wild turkeys like the one below in Mi Wuk Village.
What's Nearby
Mi Wuk Village is in the high country along the Highway 108 corridor. On your way here you will pass through the foothills, near towns including Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia, and Murphys and pass by Twain Harte when entering the high country, and if you continue on you will pass through the Pinecrest area.