LureLife

The calendar may read 2021, but some days it still feels a little like 2020. Fortunately for The Lure, the stay-at-home order has expired, and we are taking reservations starting today!

What to Expect

Winter in the Lost Sierra is made of long nights by the fireplace, followed by crisp early morning bike rides and hikes along the river.

The following weekend was a surprising 60 degrees and we strung together some of the most beautiful hikes of the year.  

Whatever the weather, whatever your interests, Downieville is so much more than a summer vacation spot.

We Installed a Generator

That means the lights stay on. The power in Sierra County is like the weather, fickle. After our first winter, we quickly realized it was time to take matters into our own hands. We called our friends at Challenge Electric and got it done. 

Baby It’s Cold Outside…

Our cabins have propane stoves that will keep you toasty warm, and our winter bedding is layered and on point. You can play outside knowing all you have to do is step into the comfort of your home-away-from-home to warm up and dry out. The shorter days are a great excuse to cook in our fully stocked kitchens, and the big wood dining table quickly goes from dinner to game night. As a gentle reminder, food is limited in the Lost Sierra, so be sure to pack what you need so you can take advantage of our well-appointed Lure kitchens.   

Adventure is Everywhere

If the weather is good, bring your bike or your hiking shoes! There are plenty of low elevation opportunities.  If you are lucky enough to catch a snowstorm, the sled hills at The Lure are world-class. You can even hike one of the most beautiful snowshoe loops in the Lost Sierra, conveniently located right on the property. 

Or No Adventure at All

When the sky turns gloomy and the wind is blowing, there is nowhere I would rather be than curled up with a good book in front of the fire. The cabins provide the ultimate creative retreat, romantic getaway, or solo weekend.  When you wake up to frost on the trees and the mist coming off the river, coffee somehow tastes better. 

If you need to get away from it all, we invite you to join us in the Lost Sierra for a bit of winter adventure and relaxation. 

Jesse

As summer winds down, we prepare for fall in Downieville. We have compiled a list of what to expect and things to do in the Lost Sierra.

As summer draws to a close, 2020 continues to challenge even the most resilient. The entire Lure team would like to thank you for your support this summer season. We are blessed to have provided a short, safe respite for hundreds of families. After 20 years in the Lost Sierra, we know that the weather will change and with it, a new season will begin. 

What you can expect when you visit the Lost Sierra in the Fall. 

• Fewer crowds. The end of the traditional vacation season brings a slower pace to the mountains.
• Bring a Jacket.  Sierra weather changes quickly.  It isn’t unusual to have an 80-degree day turn into snow flurries in the afternoon.
• With PG&E managing wildfire risk, there is always a chance the county will lose power.  Not to worry, we have learned to deal with it and most businesses operate normally.
• Be flexible. Part of what makes the fall amazing is that it is unpredictable.  It could rain, hail, snow, or be 90 degrees for two weeks.  Watch the weather and plan accordingly.  

Our Favorite Fall Activities.

• Outdoor dining is a blast in the lost Sierra in the Fall. Our favorites include Breakfast at Sierra Pines and dinner at the deck Cocina de Oro. 
• Bring a camera.  With the leaves changing colors and the wildlife on the move, some of the best photos of our area are snapped in October.
• Take a hike. Cooler weather means better hiking. A short drive to the Lakes Basin opens up miles and miles of empty trails and high alpine lakes. 
• Fishing is great.  Fly fishing is open year-round on the North Yuba River, it transitions to barbless catch and release in November.  The lakes are open and accessible into the fall.  One of our favorite locations is Sardine Lake.  Rent one of their small boats and spend a day on the water. In the shadow of the Sierra Buttes, the fishing is almost as good as the relaxing.
• Mountain Bike trails are covered in hero dirt after the first rainfall. Fewer people and cooler weather make mountain biking even more epic.  Maybe you will get lucky and have the opportunity to drop Butcher Ranch with an inch of freshly fallen snow. 

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We look forward to seeing you this fall. You can book your Lure escape here or give us a call at 530.289.3465.  

Jesse

There are endless adventures to be had in the Lost Sierra region from hiking to mountain biking, fishing to swimming, moto trail riding to OHV, it all exists here! Downieville, Sierra City, Bassetts, Graeagle, Portola, Sierraville, and Quincy all encompass this region while Tahoe National Forest and Plumas National Forest make up the majority of the land. The term “Lost Sierra” originates from the lightly used mountains, canyons, rivers, and lakes that are relatively crowd-free when compared to the more popular regions in the Sierra Nevada. The only way to get here is to want to get here, the Lost Sierra is not on your way to anywhere, it’s the destination!

Whatever adventure you are looking for, the Lost Sierra has something to offer!

List of Places to Explore: 

North Yuba Trail 

Love Falls

Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout

Sardine Lakes

Salmon Lakes

Gold Lake

Finally! Finally! We are happy to welcome guests back to The Lure next week starting Monday, June 15! We are planning a soft reopening at about half capacity for the first couple weeks and then will transition into full on summer fun by the end of the month. Reservations are open now through Spring 2021!

As we strive to protect our guests and team members from COVID-19 below are a few notes, requests and things to expect. This information and more will be sent out 1 week prior to any reservation arrival. We’ll be here ready to smile and say hello from a distance. Can’t wait to see all your happy faces! 

• Please do not come to The Lure if you or anyone in your group is feeling sick, has a cough, has a fever or if you have been exposed to COVID-19. We can work with you to reschedule your stay. 
• Your cabin will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as usual. We are instituting additional cleaning methods as recommended by the California Department of Public Health and Sierra County.
• Check in is now at 5pm or later! This allows our staff the extra time to properly clean and sanitize your cabin. If your cabin is ready prior, you may check in earlier with staff approval.
• Upon arrival after 5pm, please proceed straight to your cabin. 
• In your cabin you’ll find your cabin key, registration card and other information. Please review all information and follow the instructions. 
• You may notice some items missing from your cabin like extra blankets, extra dishes and some other items. If you need more of anything, please ask. These items have been removed for safety reasons and to reduce cleaning times for staff.
• We appreciate, and request, your adherence to CDC guidelines. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Practice social distancing with staff and other guests. Stay at least 6 ft away. 
  • Use face coverings when interacting with others while onsite as well as in town. 
  • Sierra County orders everyone to use face coverings while in public. If you do not have a face covering please let us know.
• We ask that you limit your visits into town as Downieville and Sierra City are small at-risk communities with limited resources. Some restaurants and shops have reopened. 
• Plan to bring plenty of your own food and supplies.
• Here is a digital copy of our Housekeeping Cabin Guidebook and Camping Cabin Guidebook. It has more detailed information about the resort. 
• We are happy to answer any questions you might have and give you some adventure suggestions. So excited to see you! 
• Be safe and have fun! 

Thank you for helping us keep our resort and community a clean and healthy environment. Safe travels and see you soon! Let the summer fun begin!

Spring in the Lost Sierra is a glorious time! The temperatures start to warm and the river swells with snow melt. Everyday a new kind of wildflower pops up. Longer days are marked by the arrival of various bird species and other creatures. It all seems so normal and natural, except for one thing…we have not been able to share it with guests.

We have been temporarily closed per Sierra County order since March to protect our guests, staff and the local community from Covid-19. As of now we have not been advised on an exact date that we will be able to reopen, but we remain hopeful that it will be sometime in mid-June. We have been working with the county to create a plan to safely welcome guests back to The Lure as soon as we are able to. We are still accepting reservations for later in summer, fall and winter. We miss everyone! 

While it has been tough to not have guests, there has been a silver lining. We’ve had The Lure property to ourselves for a few months, so we have been busy working on some important projects:

Water

Access to water is essential to keeping things running around here. I thought it would be easy to turn all of our water systems back on, but I was wrong. Thankfully Kurt spent almost 2 weeks exclusively on water projects. Water on the property is fed by 2 different springs that give us delicious fresh water straight from the mountain as well as irrigation and fire suppression water. 

This year will be experimental as we don’t know how things are going to grow. What we do know is that we have found some cool treasures so far. We had heard rumors of asparagus that used to grow here in the 80’s. Well, we found it. It’s the most tender, delicious asparagus we have ever tasted.

Grapevines that had twisted and climbed our fences are now showing signs of life. New leaves and vines are starting to take shape. Wonder what kind of grapes they will be? 

As the COVID-19 crisis takes over our daily lives, we felt it appropriate to share a few thoughts about why we do what we do. Our little resort nestled in the woods is not immune to the challenges facing every small business in America. We know that even though we are running out of TP, passionate business owners are unstoppable. We will emerge stronger and more focused. In the meantime, here are a couple of thoughts from the mountains.    

Nature is Medicine

As evidenced, by the number of people ascending on our parks, (while they remained open), the draw to get outside is strong.  Waking up in the woods with the sound of the river out your door sets the tone for the day. Disconnecting from wifi and the endless stream of electronic noise forces you to notice your breath and allows your mind to focus on what matters.  Long meandering hikes in the fresh air change you. Facilitating outdoor adventure is one of our driving forces. Don’t forget to go outside and do yourself a favor, turn your phone off.      

Communities Rule

Now more than ever, our communities come into focus.  The endless stories of neighbors helping neighbors is powerful evidence that thinking globally and acting locally works.  Up the road from us, the Graeagle Mill Works shut down their restaurant to deliver fully prepared meals to those in need. The town of Downieville has come together to make sure every single resident has food and supplies. We are thrilled to have found our community and proud to be part of it.  

Small Businesses Matter 

You don’t know what you have until its gone. Rural economies are driven by passionate, thoughtful business owners that are all in. They run coffee shops, bike shops, restaurants, grocery stores, yoga studios, and hotels. Times like these test communities and the entrepreneurs that make them unique. The places that have the most meaning in your life are likely run by a member of your community. As we emerge from our houses, I encourage you to go all-in on the small businesses in your town. Get outside the box and help any way you can.    

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone on the front lines. The Lure Resort is ready to help you re-connect with nature and the power of community when this is over. Stay strong, stay safe, get the job done and we will see you when the dust settles.   

Jesse Passafiume
Managing Partner