Long before settlers and ranchers came to Sierra Valley, Washoe and Maidu people hunted deer and gathered plants there, sometimes at the same time and sometimes in conflict. The Washoe traveled from the east over Beckwourth Pass from villages at Lake Tahoe, while the Maidu came from the west from places near Quincy and Greenville. Archaeologists have learned that people have lived in Sierra Valley for at least 5,000 years, drawn by water and food. Its springs, creeks, and artesian wells provided fresh water, attracted deer, rabbits, birds, fish, and other wildlife, and supported many food and medicine plants. The Washoe name for the Beckwourth area translates as “medicine-root place.” Beginning around 1,000 years ago, during a severe drought and a time of growing human populations, people had to compete for less food and adapted by relying more on camas, Brodiaea, and other roots and bulbs.