SNOWSHOE SPRINGS 
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

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  • SNOWSHOE SPRINGS ASSOCIATION, est 1957
    They love our trash! Please keep them safe by keeping your trash secure.
  • Snowshoe Lake (private for members only)
    The lake is a private one for Snowshoe Homeowners & their guests only.
  • Friendly little squirrels enjoy the surroundings too!
    Please brake for our furry little friends, they're just trying to enjoy the Association too!
  • The scent of the different types of trees is intoxicating.
    Cedars, sugarpine, dogwood, and the scent is intoxicating.
  • Famous Dogwood trees. 
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  • Ahhh the snow!  Cozy, quiet, cold and memorable.
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  • Autumn in Snowshoe Springs is heavenly.
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  • "Snowshoe Thompson"
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Our Website Features:

The website is set up to be user-friendly and easy. Nearly all underlined items are a hyperlink that takes you directly to the information it states. Please let me know if something is not working and I'll fix it right away!  Enjoy your new Association website!

"Snowshoe Thompson" was famed in our area as well as others. The Association is named in part, for him. 
Camp Connell, CA 95223

We're glad you have stopped by! We're happy to help you any way we can, so please feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail. 

Welcome to the Snowshoe Springs Homeowners' Association!

Snowshoe Springs is a private community located in Dorrington, California, 5,000 feet above sea level in California's legendary Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located in Calaveras County, Dorrington has been part of a rich history that includes the California Gold Rush and is near some of the world's most beautiful sites, such as Calaveras Big Trees State Park and the Stanislaus River.  Snowshoe Springs is a quaint community with approximately 300 homes and a local lake, Snowshoe Lake, where fun family memories have been made for generations.

Here, you will find helpful information about our Board of Director's Meetings, Calendar of Events, Rules & Regulations that govern the SSHA, various committee information, and useful local phone numbers and websites.  This website includes membership information; current and past newsletters; information about local community resources and lot clearing for fire safety; and more.

The documents that govern the SSHA and all the properties in the Snowshoe Springs Homeowners Association, the CC&Rs, and Association By-Laws, have some differences from other homeowners associations in California.  The CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) accompany all property deeds in Snowshoe Springs and are mandatory whether or not a property owner has joined the Association in a particular year.  The CC&Rs are administered by the SSHA's Board of Directors.

"If you have any questions about the SSA or your property, including questions about the local Highway 4 community and/or county resources, please contact our Association Manager, Michelle Kuffler. You can reach Michelle by using our online form on the “Contact Us” page, or directly at [email protected] 



John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson, the “mailman of the Sierra.” Mr. John Thompson carried mail from Placerville, California through treacherous winter storms for 20 years, twice a month. He was disillusioned with gold prospecting, so he responded to an article in the Sacramento Union, asking for a mail carrier since “people living east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and west of Salt Lake lose contact with the outside world as winter snows cut off all communications.” While “Snowshoe Thompson” contemplated this challenge he carved 10’ long wooden skis and practiced with a long balance pole. When he felt competent he decided to respond to the ad and offer his services as a mail carrier, in spite of warnings about men before him who had tried and not made it. When he left Placerville on his first trip in January 1856, someone yelled, “Good luck, Snowshoe Thompson;” hence, the name stuck. Born Jon Torsteinson-Rue in Norway in 1827, Snowshoe was the 14th and youngest child born to his parents.

Despite his nickname, he didn’t use the snowshoes that were used by the indigenous people of the area, but rather would travel with the 10’ skis and pole, generally held with both hands at once. (He knew this form of cross-country skiing from his native Norway.) Thompson typically made the eastward trip in 3 days, and the return trip in 2. He carried no blanket and no gun; he claimed he was never lost even in blizzards. Although Snowshoe delivered mail for 20 years, he was never paid for his service. Snowshoe Thompson died of appendicitis which developed into pneumonia in May 1876 at the age of 49, leaving a wife and son.

The Meadow

A lush and gorgeous meadow. Great for taking photos and looking at the Corn Lillies.

The Lake

Snowshoe Springs Lake is a private lake reserved for Snowshoe homeowners and their guests only. No dogs or bicycles allowed. It offers fishing (kids under 13), frogs not included, and waterfowl, and swimming!


Lake Pathways & Bridges

Walking around the lake for fitness or relaxation is available to Snowshoe Springs Homeowners and their guests. This trail has been named "Jennings Lakeside Trail" for Dave Jennings, our long time, now retired Maintenance Manager. You will still see him around!

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