In following Jean's trek along the byways this article was published in the February 27, 1975 issue of the PML News.

ALONG THE BYWAYS

By Jean McClish

We turn left at Priest Hotel onto Priest-Coulterville Road, crossing the bridge over Rattlesnake Creek.

In quick succession we pass the turn-off to Priest Reservoir and the gravel quarry. The trackless railroad bed of the Hetch Hetchy Railroad crosses the road about a mile ahead. It was along this right-of-way that the cement-laden trains zig zagged their way up the hill from Moccasin, climbing 2400 feet in twelve miles.

The road is bracketed by old wooden fence posts strung with barbed wire, some standing straight, and some leaning.

We cross Cobb's Creek and note the mine tailings that every water course in the Mother Lode bears as a reminder of the gold seeking years. There were many mines along this area. One branch of the Golden Rock Water Company ditch carried water in a high flume across Cobb's Creek and the road, delivering water to mines here and in Mariposa County.

A grassy meadow slants away from the road on the right, resembling an oak studded lawn. After passing a logged off area and a pond, we come to a barn with a foundation of rock and a green house. The house, recently restored by the Newman's was the Musante ranch house in earlier years.

For the next several miles we will be passing through Spring Gulch, a thriving ranching area since the mid 1850's. Neighbors of the Musantes, families who lived along the road from here to Boneyard, included the Lumsdens, Alexanders, Cuneos, Ferretti's and the Gookins.

Besides ranching, the men of these families prospected, drove stage and freight teams, and constructed trails and roads. The TUOLUMNE PROSPECTOR, Groveland's newspaper from 1901 to 1918, mentioned Spring Gulch activities regularly:

"Dave and John Lumsden are building a bridge over Tamarack Creek on the stage road to the valley.

"S. Alexander and F. Musante finished their wood contract for Mrs. Priest."

"Steve Alexander at work on the county road below Spring Gulch killed a monster rattler: the reptile measured about four feet in length."

"J.J. Lumsden reports work on trail from Hog Ranch to Hetch Hetchy is completed."

"James J. Musante was awarded contract to build a stretch of road near his home at Spring Gulch for $1385. Other bids: A.M. Gookin $1480: R.M. De Ferrari $1430."

The road descends now, and then rises again, up and down several times, like a gentle roller coaster. A gulch drops off to the right, with Jackass Creek running swiftly at the bottom of the gully. Just before the road circles around the end of the ridge and crosses the creek, we can see the roof of a building at the dead end of the gulch. It is part of the PJUK mine. We stop a moment to investigate before continuing on across the bridge.

George Gookin said that when his father built the bridge over Jackass Creek he dug up three bodies - one still had its boots on.

A little further, on the left, is the remains of the rock wall Frank Ferretti built. Within a mile or so we enter Mariposa County. Only a wooden post and the remains of rock pillars that once held a gate mark the line.

There is a turn off to Greeley Hill, but we continue on. Shortly we come to a large red barn with a metal roof and a low house. There are horses grazing, and a pen with sheep and little lambs, its fence right on the edge of the road. On the right, across the street is a high rock retaining wall and above that is an old red house with white railing.

Old Cuneo House

James Munn and his family live here. It was the Cuneo ranch, and the Munns are Cuneo descendants. The three Munn daughters are fourth generation Tuolumne County residents The house was built in the 1890's, the barn in 1915.

As we look back at the ranch we see a small waterfall as Cuneo Creek drops off a ledge.

At the sharp bend in the road ahead we see the remains of a fireplace that warmed a prospector's cabin on the bank above the creek.

A stop sign signals the intersection of the secondary highway. We turn right toward Coulterville and soon begin to see the buildings of the settlement once known as Boneyard. There was a stage stop along here, and a restaurant.

Coulterville is ahead and we will stop here for a while to browse in several of the shops, especially Mr. Dunlap's on the left side of the road. His collection of barbed wire and old bottles, among other things, is outstanding.

We wouldn't miss the museum in the old hotel on the corner across the street. Here is a unique collection of coins, rocks, rifles and memorabilia of the area's history.

There are several alternatives for our return route: Highway 49 to Moccasin and up Priest Grade; back the secondary road we've just traveled, following it east until it intersects with Smith Station Road (J20) to Highway 120; or back the Priest-Coulterville Road we've just traveled. Each has its beautiful vistas. It's hard to choose.