Wood's Creek Spring, Sonora, CA, 95370

## Overview Wood's Creek Spring is a small, pipe-fed natural spring located along the banks of Wood's Creek in Sonora, California — the historic heart of Tuolumne County in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The spring flows through a metal pipe that channels water from an underground source before it joins Wood's Creek. Situated near Sonora High School along Columbia Way, this unassuming spring is easy to miss but well worth seeking out for those interested in natural water sources in the Gold Country region. Wood's Creek itself holds deep historical significance: during the California Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s, it was one of the richest gold-bearing streams in the Southern Mines district. Sonora, founded in 1848 by Mexican miners, grew rapidly around the creek's gold deposits. While the spring's own history is not formally documented, natural springs along Wood's Creek have likely been used by locals and travelers for generations, long predating the Gold Rush era. ## Directions 1. From downtown Sonora, head south on **Washington Street (CA-49)** toward Sonora High School. 2. Turn onto **Columbia Way**, heading in the direction of Columbia State Historic Park. 3. Continue along Columbia Way until you are near **Sonora High School** — this is the closest stretch of Columbia Way to the school. 4. Look for the point where **Wood's Creek crosses under Columbia Way**. 5. From that creek crossing, walk upstream (south/southeast) approximately **30 to 75 feet** along the **east bank** of Wood's Creek. 6. The spring emerges from a **small metal pipe** on the east side of the creek. It may be partially obscured by vegetation, so look carefully along the bank. *GPS coordinates: 37.993659, -120.381996 — the nearest address is 20477 Columbia Way, Sonora, CA 95370.* ## What to Expect The spring is modest in appearance — a small metal pipe protruding from the ground on the east side of Wood's Creek, channeling water from a natural underground source into the creek. The flow is steady but not large, typical of foothill springs in the Sierra Nevada. The surrounding area along Wood's Creek is shaded and pleasant, with riparian vegetation lining the banks. The proximity to Sonora High School and Columbia Way means the spring is easily accessible from the road without a significant hike — though the pipe itself can be easy to overlook if you're not watching for it. Visitors have historically used springs like this one as drinking water sources, though water quality has not been formally tested or certified at this location. The spring sits in an area with a mix of residential and school-adjacent land, so be respectful of the surroundings when visiting. The best time to visit is during the wetter months (late fall through spring), when groundwater levels are higher and the spring is most likely to be flowing well. During dry summers, flow may diminish. Parking is available along Columbia Way, and the walk to the spring is short and on relatively flat terrain.