I admit it. I love the fact that Disney's California Adventure has a giant mountain in the shape of a bear. It may well be the most "Disney" part of DCA.

I really can't explain my attraction to Grizzly Peak. But I'm almost at the point of obsession about seeing it throughout the park. I feel compelled to photograph it from every angle. And while I enjoy the Grizzly River Run attraction that is the reason for a giant 110-foot grizzly bear-shaped mountain, it is the structure itself that draws me in.

Perhaps it is the fact that my favorite stuffed animal was a polar bear named Beary. Maybe because my mom called me her Matthew Bear. I don't know. But I thought I'd share some background and photos of one of DCA's coolest landmarks. Photos from the left. Photos from the right. Photos from close up. Photos from far away. Photos during the morning, dusk and night. Enjoy this little peek into my favorite Disney peak!

Backstory
According to Disney legend, German emigrant Jakob Probst discovered gold at Grizzly Peak in the mid-1800s. But far from being a genius, Probst's discovery was by pure chance. Frustrated at failing to get his mule across Grizzly River, Probst threw his hat into the river and trampled it. Picking it up and putting it back on his head, he discovered a one-pound gold nugget had fallen inside. Probst immediately staked a claim he later sold for millions to the Eureka Gold & Timber Company.

Nicknamed "The Pride of the Sierra," the Company was a successful business throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gold was extracted from the mountain and shipped to San Francisco. A company office and adjoining store were built right next door as well. But by the early 1950s the mine was tapped and Eureka Gold & Timber closed down. The structures stood empty for years - only the office and company store remained in use - converted to an outdoor supply store.

The land itself was sold to the government to create the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. Over the next few decades the land was reborn with trees growing back and rivers clearing up. Eventually, California's rafting enthusiasts discovered the whitewater thrills of Grizzly River and the word got out about the crystal-clear waters and Class V rapids there. By the 1980s, that hobby had grown into a business with several companies offering guided raft trips to customers. One of those companies was run by a savvy young group of entrepreneurs. They purchased the old mining structures to use as their base of operations. The Grizzly River Rafting Company was born.

 Click on each image below for a larger, higher-resolution view with description ...

- Story and Photos by Matthew Walker
Posted April 7, 2006

E-mail Matt at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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