Life in California Gulch, deep in the Colorado Rockies, pre-dates the Leadville silver boom (1875-1895). However, it was gold, not silver, which laid the foundation for future generations of citizens at 10,200 feet elevation. Oro City is the spectacular, albeit inhospitable, site of placer gold mining during the 1860's. Meet fortune seeking immigrants - a blacksmith, store keeper, singer, school teacher, and sporting women, as well as a rascally burro - whose lives are filled with anxiety, fear, joy, and humor.