Freedom - the freedom to travel a mile a minute. Imagine a life when atwenty mile trip might take all day, the automobile brought this freedom.

In 1908 the Ford Model T sold for $850.00 and this changed Americaforever. Its simplicity, toughness and design were perfect for the deeplyrutted roads of the west, and the American driving vacation became alifestyle.

For more than seventy five years the Shasta Cascade WonderlandAssociation has been promoting a region that is known for its great outdoorrecreation, adventure opportunities and scenic wonders. This guide isdesigned to help you discover the freedom and scenic beauty of Far NorthernCalifornia and Southern Oregon.

Listed here are nationally designated scenic byways, historic routes andone of just two All American Roads in California. This newly designated AllAmerican Road, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, highlights the routebetween two national treasures – Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake NationalParks.

Make some time, gather up the family, get in the car and out of the city,and you too can discover what Americans have been experiencing for almost100 years - the magic of rekindling relationships with a scenic drivingvacation.

Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway ..................................................... 4-5

Feather River Scenic Byway ...................................................... 6-7

Historic Scenic Hwy. 99 ............................................................ 8-9

Trinity River Scenic Byway ................................................... 10-11

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway ............................................. 12-13

Bigfoot Scenic Byway ............................................................ 14-15

State of Jefferson Scenic Byway ........................................... 16-17

Smith River Scenic Byway .................................................... 18-19

Modoc Scenic Byway ............................................................ 20-21

Barrel Springs Back Country Byway ................................... 22-23

Scenic Byway Map ................................................................. 24-25

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway–All American Road ............ 26-27

Lake Almanor/Chester–All American Road ........................ 28-29

Lassen VNP–All American Road .......................................... 30-33

Old Station/McCloud–All American Road .......................... 34-35

McCloud/Tulelake–All American Road ............................... 36-39

Klamath/Wildlife–All American Road ................................. 40-43

Crater Lake–All American Road ........................................... 44-47

Resources ...................................................................... Back Cover

Information about lodging and traveler services isavailable from the visitors bureaus and chambers of commercealong the route. Those phone numbers are listed at the end ofeach route in the “drive tips”. For general information aboutthe region:

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782

Or at our websites:www.shastacascade.com and

www.volcaniclegacybyway.com.

Yuba DonnerNational ScenicBywayHistorical and Geological Diversity, EarlyCalifornia Emigrant Trail and Mother LodeHighway.

The Yuba Donner Scenic Byway circles someof the most historically significant SierraNevada Country in California history.

Beginning in Nevada City the route follows historic Hwy. 49 – the goldcountry highway, where tens of thousands of miners and settlers rushedthrough upon hearing of the gold discovery in California. Just two years afterthis area was identified as a possible trans-Sierra route, the Donner Party leftits mark in the history books. The unparalleled beauty of the “range of light”and its significant early California role, make this byway and its towns a partof a drive through time.

Nevada City, the natural starting point for this scenic byway has a richgold era history. It offers numerous historical sites, such as the oldest theaterand oldest continually operating hotel in California. A self guided walkingtour map is available at the historic Firehouse Museum, which was built in1861. Heading northwest out of Nevada City, the byway follows Hwy. 49which is rich with remnants of the area’s mining history, including old stonecabins, mining equipment and stamp mills that were used to crush the gold-bearing quartz. The route continues to Downieville, the first gold discoverysite in Sierra County. Founded in 1849, Downieville’s Main Street still haswooden boardwalks and a charming little riverside park where public goldpanning is permitted.

Sierra City, established in 1850 has two interesting historical points, theHeringlake Country Inn, used as a mercantile store, and the Wells Fargocoach stop. The route continues through lush conifer forests and highcountry sage meadows, eventually leading to Truckee.

Truckee’s main street has numerous quaint shops and restaurants,making it a good halfway stop over point. Truckee and Donner Lake hold the

dubious honor of being the location ofwhere the ill fated Donner party becamesnow bound during the extremely hardwinter of 1846, and nearly half of the 87member party starved. The visitor center at Donner Lake tellstheir story as well as the area’s history. Continuing west alongold Hwy. 40 and Donner Lake, the route quickly climbs up overDonner Summit. This area is considered the birthplace ofcommercial downhill skiing in California. Sugar Bowl SkiResort hosted many celebrities in the 1930’s and was WaltDisney’s favorite.

Continuing further west on old Hwy. 40 the route followsthe South Fork of the Yuba River. This is part of the famousCalifornia emigrant route. Several areas where emigrantwagons left iron tracks are still visible on the Sierra Granite, asthe iron has turned to rust. The route continues west on Hwy.20 along Washington Ridge back towards Nevada City and itsconclusion.

DRIVE TIPS:

Distance: 160 milesMinimum Driving Time: 8 hours

Best Time to go: Spring through fallFor Information: Regional -Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782Along the byway: Nevada City Chamber ofCommerce, 530-265-2692 and Truckee DonnerChamber of Commerce, 530-587-2757.Services along the route: Lodging and othertraveler services are available inNevada City, and Truckee, withlimited services available inDownieville, Sierra City andSoda Springs and otherlimited services along the route.

Feather RiverNational ScenicBywayRailroad History, Northern Sierra GolfCountry and Historic River Canyons

The Feather River Scenic Byway follows theNorth Fork of the Feather River into the SierraNevada Mountains. The route is one ofCalifornia’s earliest routes over the Sierra’s,

providing the lowest elevation highway crossing during major winter storms.The byway traverses the northern Sierra Nevada and ends near the Nevadaborder, making it unique in its botanical and cultural diversity.

The byway begins in the Lake Oroville area of Butte County. LakeOroville, created by the three major forks of the Feather River, is one of thethree major houseboating lakes in Northern California and is well known forbass fishing. The visitor center at Lake Oroville State Recreation Areafeatures displays highlighting the area’s history, natural surroundings and thestory of the Oroville water project. Once on Hwy. 70, the route begins byfollowing the granite gorge of the North Fork of the Feather River. Severalhistoric bridges and three impressive tunnels allow for the byway to stayclose to the river. This section of road also features the “stairway of power”, aseries of seven early 20th century hydroelectric plants that still harness theenergy of the swift waters of the Feather River. About 40 miles into the route,Belden provides a good place to relax with a rest area offering historicinformational displays and gold mining equipment. Nearby is a trailhead tothe Pacific Crest Trail which runs from Canada to Mexico.

Quincy, the county seat for Plumas County, is the half way pointfor the byway. It offers a walking tour of numerous historic buildingsand is home to the Plumas County Museum, where exhibits of MaiduIndian basketry and artifacts from the rich gold mining era are wellpreserved. Heading further south and east on the byway is Graeagle

and Blairsden. The Feather River Inn, a well preservedhistoric lodge near the intersection where

Hwy. 89 splits off towards Lake Tahoe,has been greeting travelers for almost

90 years. It once served as a populartourist destination for the SanFrancisco Bay Area’s rich andfamous. The Graeagle area isknown as the golf mecca of the

Northern Sierra. Portola ishome for the renownedPortola Railroad Museum,which offers one of the bestcollections of railroadartifacts and rolling stock, aswell as rides on an historicrailroad engine.

On the eastern end of the byway the route windsthrough the gorgeous Sierra Valley, a favorite area forwildlife and bird watching. This high desert ranchland,located at the western edge of the Great Basin is one ofthe largest valleys in North America. Halleluja Junctionmarks the terminus of the byway, and from here visitorscan turn south to Reno or go north to Susanville.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 125 milesMinimum Driving Time: 4 hoursBest Time to go: Spring through FallFor Information: Regional -Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782Along the byway - Oroville Area Chamber ofCommerce, 530-538-2542, Plumas County VisitorsBureau, 530-283-6345, and Eastern PlumasChamber of Commerce, 530-832-5444.Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in Oroville, Quincy and Graeagle/Portola, with other limited services along the route.

HistoricHighway 99Broad Valleys dotted with Magnificent Oaks,Fertile Fields & Orchards and Old Bridges

Like other routes, Highway 99 began as a horseand stagecoach trail extending from Mexico toCanada, and was eventually improved tohigher standards as time moved on. In theearly 1920’s when automobiles were beingmass produced, a definitive United States

Highway system was needed for the promotion of commerce and tourism. In1926 the Pacific Highway was designated to become US Highway 99. Thesehighways brought growth to many communities, and businesses weredeveloped along these corridors, making it convenient for tourists andbusinessmen alike.

Highlighted here is one small section of this historic highway and thetwo communities still linked by this historic route. In Northern Californiaabove Sacramento, Hwy. 99 was divided into two routes because of theSacramento River. Hwy. 99E was of course on the east side of the river. 99Wwas on the west, and is now Interstate 5. These two routes joined in RedBluff. Highlighted here is the Red Bluff to Chico section. It should be notedthat 99W had some important “firsts” including in Corning, California’s veryfirst municipal auto camp in the early 1900’s.

Red Bluff, a city combining Victorian architecture and strong westernheritage, was an important part of California’s gold rush, when its position

on the Sacramento River made it the terminationpoint for river ferry traffic. This was as far as

ferries could go north towards the northerngold fields. The Kelly Griggs Museum

provides a glimpse at what life waslike back in the 1880’s. Red Bluff,

an antique store haven, is alsohome to the nation’s

largest three dayrodeo. From RedBluff ’s main streettake Antelope Blvdeast, as this wasthe original Hwy.99E. Within afew miles is

orchard country. Over the decades, this area has been famousfor walnuts, peaches, prunes, and almonds. Along this 42 mileroute, spring showcases spectacular blossoms and summeraffords several opportunities to stop at local fruit stands.

Entering Chico from the north, Hwy. 99 follows the routenow called the Esplanade. About two miles south, you seevintage motels that were part of the original 99E, some ofwhich are true classics, such as the Matador Motel. DowntownChico is a vibrant small business center with numerousspecialty shops, great restaurants and coffee shops. A townwhere walking around is still an enjoyable experience, Chicohas been noted in USA Today as a Top 10 “artistic city” and isin “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America”. It is also notedfor its glass blowing studios, with current lists of exhibitingartists available at the Chico Chamber. Any trip to Chicoshould include Bidwell Park, the largest municipal park west ofthe Mississippi. Enjoy this discovery of a “tale of two cities”.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 42 milesMinimum Driving Time: 1 hourBest Time to go: Year-roundFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782

Along the byway – Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamberof Commerce, 530-527-6220 and Chico Chamber ofCommerce, 530-891-5556.

Services along the route: Lodgingand other traveler services are availablein Red Bluff and Chico, with otherlimited services along the route.

Trinity RiverNational ScenicBywayFrom the Valley Oaks to the Redwood Coast.

This scenic byway may offer some of the mostdiverse scenery, botanical variety, wildlife andclimatic zones of any drive in far NorthernCalifornia. The route encompasses from thedryer, warmer Sacramento River Valley to the

cool, often foggy Redwood Coast. It features a variety of cultural andhistorical glimpses of the gold mining, timber, and Native American historyalong the byway.

Starting in Redding, Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum providesa great way to immerse yourself in the local history. Almost immediatelyupon driving west out of Redding gives another historical window into thepast. Old Shasta State Historic Park was known in 1849 as the “queen city ofthe northern mines”. It served as the main shipping point for supplies andmoney between all of the northern mine fields and San Francisco. The courthouse now serves as a historical exhibit for artifacts of the area and offers anoutstanding collection of California art. Continuing further west,Whiskeytown Shasta – Trinity National Recreation Area, a National ParkService administered lake and park is known for its piercing granite peaksand cliffs, mountainous backcountry and Whiskeytown Lake. The lakeprovides 36 miles of pristine shoreline and beaches with water orientedactivities to include swimming, boating and fishing.

Back on the road, the byway traces the tracks of gold rush erastagecoaches and freight wagons to such historic locales as Tower House,French Gulch and eventually on to Weaverville. Weaverville, about midwayon the scenic route retains its gold rush flavor. The experiences of gold rushminers and Chinese immigrants are well preserved in the city’s historicalbuildings. Weaverville boasts some of California’s oldest businesses, severaldating from the 1850’s. Continuing west, about four miles from Weavervilleis the La Grange interpretive stop, which explains the incredibly destructivepractice of hydraulic mining. Miners who came to the Trinity area in the late1800’s used the plentiful supply of water to blast away the hillsides in searchof gold.

The route now descends to the Wild & Scenic Trinity River, known forits dramatic canyon walls and sparkling clear waters. The river boasts superbyear-round recreational opportunities such askayaking and world class whitewater rafting, andis one of the finest sport fishing streams inCalifornia.

Soon you will come toan area known by theIndians as “the place wherethe rivers come together” orHlel-Din. This once majorIndian village is now thetown of Willow Creek and“the gateway to BigfootCountry”. The remainder ofthe route over Berry Summitand Lord-Ellis Summitprovide several great places to stop and take in beautiful vistas.This section of road was not developed until after PresidentTheodore Roosevelt named the area the Trinity Forest Reserve.The final stretch of highway through Blue Lake and on toArcata provides occasional glimpses of the Redwood forestsand other coastal vegetation made possible by the changingclimate of the North Coast.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 140 milesMinimum Driving Time: 4 hoursBest Time to go: Year-round but check for road

conditions over the summits during the wintermonths.

For Information: Regional -Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway - Redding Convention & VisitorsBureau, 530-225-4100, Trinity County Chamber ofCommerce, 530-623-6101 and Humboldt CountyConvention & Visitors Bureau, 707-443-5097.

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in Redding, Weaverville, Eureka/Arcata, with limited services in Willow Creek, andother limited services along the route.

Trinity HeritageNational ScenicBywayMountain Lakes, Gold Rush History, and thePacific Crest Trail

Water is never far away from the TrinityHeritage Scenic Byway. The route includesLewiston Lake, Trinity Lake, the Trinity River,and numerous sparkling streams in far

Northern California. You will be driving through some of the most beautifuland rugged portions of Trinity and Siskiyou County. Much of the routefollows the path of 19th century gold miners and settlers, and offers scenicviews of mountainsides, jagged cliffs, and dramatic vistas.

The natural place to start this drive is in the heart of the historicmining town of Weaverville. Ask any Weaverville resident and they wouldprobably confirm that there is no better place to live. The beautifullypreserved buildings and historic sites are constant reminders of Weaverville’srich heritage. Joss House, the oldest continually used Chinese Tao Temple,and J.J. Jackson Museum provide a glimpse of what life was like inWeaverville for the 10,000 people who made up the gold rush population.

Driving north out of Weaverville provides an opportunity to detour tothe historic town of Lewiston. This approximate 20 mile detour takes youalong Rush Creek, the Trinity River, and into Lewiston. During the gold rush,Lewiston was best known for helping provide farming and ranching lands tosupport the thousands of miners searching for the yellow metal. In 1957 itsaw the influx of a new boom, the construction of Trinity Dam. Just to thenorth of Lewiston is the Trinity River Hatchery, operated by the CaliforniaDepartment Fish & Game. Take this opportunity to see the hatchery at work,especially during the salmon and steelhead runs of late summer and fall.Lewiston Lake, a seven mile long after bay for Trinity Lake, provides greatfishing and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Bald eagles andosprey make their permanent homes here, as well as the lake providesexcellent wintering habitat for ducks, wildlife and migrating song birds.

Trinity Lake is the third largest man-made lake in California. Theshoreline is rugged and forested with hundreds of hidden coves and offersexcellent opportunities for houseboating, fishing, camping, swimming, andwildlife viewing. Most of the lodging and camping opportunities are on thenorthwestern shore of the lake. Continuing further north on Hwy. 3 bringsyou to Trinity Center, where several resorts provide stores, restaurants, andother lodging opportunities. Continuing north on Hwy. 3 provides greataccess to the Trinity Alps. Coffee Creek is located just north of Trinity Lakeand is worth the side trip. The route through this area is along the UpperTrinity River where numerous spots are easily accessible for fishing, camping

and swimming. Continuing north on Hwy 3 brings you tothe Trinity Divide, it literally does just that,

dividing the water which eventually flows intothe Sacramento River to the east from the

water flowing into the Trinity River to the

west. It also serves as the dividing line between Trinity andSiskiyou counties and is an access point for the Pacific CrestTrail. The views from here can be spectacular.

Continuing north brings numerous opportunities to seeboth Mt. Shasta, the second highest peak in the Cascade Range,and Mt. Eddy, the tallest peak in Trinity County. Forest Serviceroads and trails off of this scenic byway provide access to someof the most beautiful and under utilized Forest Service lands inthe region. The route ends near Interstate 5 north of Weed.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 120 milesMinimum Driving Time: 3 - 4 hoursBest Time to go: Spring through fallFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway -Trinity County Chamber of Commerce, 530-623-6101,Siskiyou County Visitors Bureau, 530-926-3850, andWeed Chamber of Commerce, 530-938-4624.

Services along the route: Lodging andother traveler services are availablein Weaverville, Lewiston,Trinity Center, and Weed,with other limited servicesalong the route.

Bigfoot NationalScenic BywayWild & Scenic River Canyons, LegendaryBigfoot Lore, and Native American &Gold Rush History

This scenic drive follows two nationallydesignated Wild and Scenic Rivers: theKlamath River and the North Fork of theTrinity River. Both untamed waterways areknown for their trophy sized steelhead and

salmon, and thrilling whitewater boating. These rivers cut through theSiskiyou and Klamath mountains, which provide ideal habitat for wildlifesuch as elk, deer, black bears, river otters, bald eagles and peregrine falcons.Hoopa, Yurok, and Karuk Indian tribes have made their home in the area forat least a thousand years. Native American and rich gold rush history makesthis truly a byway of discovery.

Willow Creek, the beginning of this scenic route, was settled by Chineselaborers from the mining and lumber camps. Considered the official“gateway to Bigfoot Country”, the city boasts a wooden statue of Bigfoot atthe Don Cave Memorial Park, and the Bigfoot Museum which traces thehistory and interesting lore of the area. Heading north, the byway followsHighway 96 and the Trinity River, and cuts through the Hoopa Valley IndianReservation, which today encompasses over 144 square miles in the heart ofthe Hupa people’s original homeland. The reservation is home to the veryfirst military fort in the area and the Hoopa Tribal Museum. The museumdisplays a fine collection of Indian basketry, ceremonial regalia, and redwoodcanoes used by the local Hoopa, Yurok, and Karuk tribes. In addition to thedisplays in the museum, tours of several culturally significant areas can bearranged by calling the museum at 530-625-4110.

At Weitchpec, the byway begins heading northeast alongthe Klamath River. This part of the route has the dubiousdistinction of having yielded the only loosely authenticatedphotographs of the man/ape creature known as Bigfoot. Plastercasts of the creature’s footprints were also made in this area in1992. In the next ten miles, the communities of Orleans andSomes Bar provide some limited services, and offer a glimpseof the rich gold mining history of this area. At Somes Bar, aside trip down the Salmon River yields some of the mostbeautiful scenery in far Northern California. The Salmon Riveris known for its exhilarating kayaking waters and steep denseforested canyon.

Continuing to travel north along the Klamath Rivertowards Happy Camp is Coon Creek, worth the stop for itslovely waterfall, wading pool and picnic area. Another scenicriver stop is Ferry Point, which is popular with rafters andfishermen for boat launching. Also along this route are severalForest Service roads which provide access to the MarbleMountains and Siskiyou Wilderness area. This area was the siteof President Herbert Hoover’s hideaway cabin. The route endsat Happy Camp, a town with a colorful history that revolvesaround gold, copper, chrome, and jade mining, and the timberindustry. A left turn at Happy Camp leads into Oregon on theState of Jefferson Scenic Byway, and eventually connects back tothe California coast on the Smith River Scenic Byway.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 88 milesMinimum Driving Time: 2 hoursBest Time to go: April - NovemberFor Information: Regional - Shasta Cascade

Wonderland Association, 530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway - Willow Creek Chamber ofCommerce,530-629-2693, Happy Camp Chamber ofCommerce, 530-493-2900, and Hoopa Tribal Museum& Visitor Center, 530-625-4110.

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in Willow Creek and HappyCamp, with other limited services along the route.

State of JeffersonNational ScenicBywayColorful settlement history, and a blend ofnarrow valleys, steep forested mountainsand the rugged Klamath River.

The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway derives itsname from an early 1940’s movement to createthe 49th state. The original purpose of this

movement was to draw attention to the need for good roads in far NorthernCalifornia and Southern Oregon. In 1941, locals blockaded Highway 96 anddeclared Jefferson to be its own state. Many believed that Jefferson wouldhave become the 49th state in the Union had the bombing in Pearl Harbornot focused the nation on war in the Pacific. The mighty Klamath River,called the “Clamet” by Native Americans, continues to shape the lifestyle andlandscape of Northern California. Tribal people fished for the plentifulsalmon and mussels, and hunted deer. Today the Klamath River is popularfor its scenic beauty, as well as its extensive recreational opportunities such asfishing and rafting.

The byway begins in the area of where Hwy. 96 meets Interstate 5 nearYreka. A section of highway that should not be missed is the current Hwy.263 from Yreka to Hwy. 96. A series of five bridges, considered engineeringmarvels in 1929, created this section of road. The section of the byway fromthe Interstate to Happy Camp has a rich gold mining history. Originallyknown for the rich placer claims, miners eventually sought out the gold veinsand dug deep tunnels in the mountainsides along the river. At various timesof this area’s rich mining history, literally thousands of miners lived in thearea from Klamath River to Happy Camp.

By 1920, the area became known for its fishing and boatingopportunities, with President Herbert Hoover coming to fish the Klamath in1933. The community of Klamath River also offers one of the most beautifulriver setting golf courses in California. Although Eagles Nest Golf Course isonly 9 holes, it is extremely challenging and provides a great workout. Thearea from Horse Creek to Seaid Valley was also dramatically affected by thegold rush. Huge dredges chewed up hundreds of acres of the river riparianhabitat. The Seaid Valley has since been used for farming and ranching, andis now recognized as the northern most wine grape growing region inCalifornia. Here white Reisling grape vines actually grow through thedredger rock rubble. Happy Camp, the half way point on the byway has acolorful history revolving around gold and copper mining, sawmills and

logging, salmon and steelhead fishing, whitewaterrafting and kayaking, as well as hunting and wild

mushroom harvesting. The town is also the home to the Karuktribe and serves as the major service community along the route.

At Happy Camp, the scenic byway leaves Hwy. 96 andclimbs Grayback Mountain into Oregon. This 5,000 footelevation route over Grayback offers numerous Forest Serviceroads leading to a variety of natural, historic, and recreationareas off the byway. The route over Grayback could beconsidered a botanical tree tour. This eight mile ascent inelevation offers an opportunity to view the changing variety oftree species. A beautiful overlook of the distant MarbleMountains with interpretive panels describing the resourcemanagement and history of the area can be seen from thesummit of Grayback. The byway now descends into Oregon andeventually ends at the Illinois River valley community ofO’Brien. At this point a turn south on Hwy. 199 leads you backinto California and onto the Smith River Scenic Byway.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 108 milesMinimum Driving Time: 3-4 hoursBest Time to go: Year-round for the Hwy. 96 portion,

with Grayback Summit being closed during thewinter months.

For Information: Regional -Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway - State of JeffersonChamber of Commerce, 530-496-3325, andYreka Chamber of Commerce, 530-842-1649.

Services along the route: Lodging and othertraveler services are available in Yrekaand Happy Camp, with other countrystyle camping and lodgingopportunities along Hwy. 96,and other limited servicesalong the route.

Smith RiverNational ScenicBywayWild and Scenic River, National RecreationArea, all within Northern California’sshortest scenic byway.

This scenic byway follows the Smith River,which is considered one of the crown jewels ofthe National Wild & Scenic River System. As

the byway climbs away from the coast, it enters the Smith River Canyon. In asurprisingly small space, the National Recreation Area has seven distinctiveplant communities. You’ll pass from a coastal redwood forest to old growthstands of Douglas fir to dense chaparral. The river has more than 175 milesof navigatable waterway ranging from Class 1 to Class 5.

Smith River was named for fur trapper Jedediah Smith, one of thewest’s most famous explorers. With his visit to the area in June of 1828, hewas probably the first white man to have entered the Smith River Basin.Although the area is rich in Native American history, the Tolowa people werescattered by the gold fever which brought hundreds of miners to the canyonin the 1850’s. Along with this intense migration, came all the other businesspeople needed to sustain this exploration such as shopkeepers, farmers andranchers. The history of the area is interpreted at the Smith River NRAVisitor Center in Gasquet. The river provides some of the best recreationalopportunities in Northern California. There are four campgrounds along theroute with Panther Creek having a construction history going back to theearly California Conservation Corp projects from the 1930’s. The SmithRiver’s natural fishery may be one of its greatest assets. The river hasexceptional runs of both salmon and steelhead. Salmon appear in lateOctober and continue through December, with steelhead starting to arrive inmid December and remaining into May. The eleven river access points allowfor easy access of rafts or kayaks.

Off the byway, numerous roads lead to other recreational sites in thearea and follow the various tributaries of the Smith River. One of these,Jawbone Road leads to the top of Bear Basin Butte (elevation 5,292 ft.). Thismountain top has a historic 1930’s fire lookout, which may be rentedbetween June 15th and September 30th. Information is available at the NRAVisitor Center.

The byway is truly ayear-round opportunity

which should not bemissed. Winter

provides great fishingand whitewater

rafting, whilespring offersblossoming Pacific

dogwoods, wild azaleas andrhododendrons. Summer ofcourse provides for swimmingin deep natural pools of clearemerald water, tubing andrafting, and hiking thebackcountry wilderness trails.Autumn may provide some ofthe best weather as well as anopportunity to be in awe ofbeautiful colors, experienceberry picking or just find a spot along the river to kick backand relax. This scenic drive with its spectacular views of ruggedcanyons, turbulent rapids and picturesque recreation sitesshould be an automatic addition to any north coast vacation.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 33 milesMinimum Driving Time: 1 hourBest Time to go: Year-roundFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530-365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway –Smith River NRA Visitor Center,Gasquet, 707-457-3131, and Crescent City-Del Norte Chamber of Commerce, 707-464-3174.

Services along the route: Lodging andother traveler services are availablein Crescent City, Gasquet andPatrick Creek, with otherlimited services alongthe route.

Modoc NationalScenic BywayUnrivaled volcanic features, naturalwonders and Indian lore

Traversing an area unrivaled in North Americafor its volcanic features, the Modoc VolcanicScenic Byway provides a rich mixture ofgeology, wildlife viewing and Indian history.This route is somewhat unique in that theentire route is only available for driving for a

short four month span from June 1st to October 15th. Although the road isgood, portions of the byway are unpaved. The portion of the route in theTule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is best visited during the winter monthswhen the most viewing opportunities are possible.

Starting in McCloud you will have the chance to step back in time toexperience what life was like in a company owned logging town. TheMcCloud Lumber Company built most of the structures, and a quick drivearound the community will give you a glimpse of this past life. The McCloudRailway operates the year-round Shasta Sunset Dinner Train. This excursionin 1920’s style railroad cars with gourmet dining is worth the trip. TheMcCloud Hotel and several B&B’s offer a chance to “sleep back in time”.Traveling east from McCloud on Hwy. 89 almost immediately offers theopportunity to view the three McCloud Falls. The Fowlers Campgroundturnoff will lead you to the area of Lower, Middle and Upper Falls, which aretruly spectacular in the spring and early summer.

Continuing east to Bartle is the turn north on Forest Service Route 15.This road leads to the Medicine Lake Highlands, a broad shield volcano. Thisvolcano is actually larger than Mt. Shasta in total mass and is the largestvolcano in the Cascade Range.The original volcano’s centerpart collapsed creating ahuge basin 6 miles longby 4 miles wide andthis is now the

location of Medicine Lake. Medicine Lake provides good fishingand relaxing summertime camping experiences. Side trips fromhere include the Mt. Hoffman Fire Lookout (a genuine firelookout which can be rented from the Forest Service) and GlassMountain, one of the largest obsidian glass flows in theAmerican West. Continuing north to Lava Beds NationalMonument is really a volcanic experience. This area was usedfor moon landing training by the original Apollo astronauts andhas the highest concentration of lava tube caves in NorthAmerica with over 435. The caves can be explored on your own,but the monument also offers ranger led tours. Bring aflashlight! This area is also the site of the only Indian/US Armybattle in California’s early history. Captain Jack’s Stronghold, anatural Lava fortress, was used as a base for 57 Modoc warriorsand their families for more than 5 months. They held off a USArmy force more than 20 times their strength. Visitors can tourCaptain Jack’s Stronghold to learn about both the geographicand historic wonder of this unusual landscape.

At the north end of the byway is the Tule Lake NationalWildlife Refuge. It encompasses more than 39,000 acres alongthe Oregon/California border. The refuge offers world classwildlife viewing opportunities for large flocks of ducks, geeseand white pelicans. It is also home for the largest concentrationof wintering bald eagles in the continental US. Although theentire route may not be available during the winter months, atrip to the wildlife refuge in the winter provides the bestopportunity to see both eagles and a wide variety of waterfowl.The route ends in the small town of Tulelake.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 120 milesMinimum Driving Time: 4-5 hoursBest Time to go: June 1 through Oct. 15th

For Information: Regional -Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,

530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway -McCloud Chamber of Commerce, 530-964-3113.

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in McCloud and Tulelake, withother limited services along the route.

Barrel Springs BackCountry BywayHigh Desert, Applegate-Lassen Trail,and 150 Years of Little Change

In the northeastern corner of California theWarner Mountains rise in a near solid wall toan elevation of almost 10,000 feet. Crossingover these mountains at Cedar Valley, you willenter a totally different world. Explorer JohnFreeman named it “the Great Basin”, the land

where none of the rivers run to the sea.

The Surprise Valley/Barrel Springs Back Country Byway is through thisremote and rugged area. The byway provides an opportunity for those whowant to get away from crowds and experience the west as it used to be. Onthis byway you will see clear evidence of our continent pulling apart, of giantearthquakes and volcanoes. You will be able to stand on the beach of aprehistoric lake where people hunted ice age animals, search for fossils andprehistoric art, and view the final resting place of 19th century cavalrytroopers.

This drive begins in Cedarville, which is reached on Hwy. 299 fromAlturas. Travel north from Cedarville to Fort Bidwell, about thirty to fortyminutes without stops. Fort Bidwell was founded in 1865 as a post to insurethe safety of passing pioneers. In 1892 it became part of the Fort BidwellIndian Reservation. Today the original Fort Bidwell general store is still inoperation and the original hotel has been renovated to comfortably serve itsguests. From Fort Bidwell take County Road 6 east to the California/Nevadaborder. Here the road name changes to Barrel Springs. Notice how thecountryside opens up dramatically into a vast high desert. You are actually

traversing a prehistoric lakebed, Lake Surprise. At this point,you will begin heading south on a route that more than 300,000settlers used on their way to Northern California and Oregon.Once you reach the town of Vya you are in the Great Basinsurrounded by Nevada high desert. Turning west again towardCalifornia you will connect with Hwy. 299.

To many, the high desert of the Great Basin appears to bea forgotten, forlorn and desolate landscape, but thisenvironment is home to many species of plant life, rich mineraldeposits and desert wildlife. Along this route you will seedramatic vast high desert, strange rock formations, fossils, andpetrified wood. You will also have traveled the route taken bymany of the west’s earliest settlers.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 93 milesMinimum Driving Time: 3 hoursBest Time to go: Summer, check road conditions

before traveling.For Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782.

Along the byway: Contact the BLM office in Cedarvillefor a Byway tour guide, 530-279-6101,and Great Surprise Valley Chamber, 530-279-2001

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are only available in Cedarville and FortBidwell. There are no other services along the route.

The Volcanic LegacyScenic Byway–All American RoadOne of just 22 All American Roads in theUnited States, the Volcanic Legacy ScenicByway connects Lassen Volcanic National Parkin Northern California and Crater LakeNational Park in Southern Oregon. Thevolcanic activity of the Cascade Range hascreated unique geological formations that can

only be seen in this part of America. Gigantic obsidian glass flows, steamingmud pots, and lava tube caves, surrounded by a wide diversity of scenerymake this an unforgettable experience. The byway travels through denseforests, across broad wetlands, pastoral grasslands, along clear swift streamsand through massive farms and ranches. These wide open-spaces make thisarea adjacent to the byway an ideal setting for hiking adventures, greatfishing and whitewater boating.

The byway offers not only great scenery, but a chance to experience aslower, quieter pace of life that will quickly become contagious. Thecommunities along the byway are eager to telltheir story and share their uniqueness with you.The entire byway is rich with Native Americanand Gold Rush history, truly making this a driveof discovery.

A few days along the byway could be one ofyour most memorable vacations. The VolcanicLegacy Scenic Byway is about blue skies, virginforests, clear lakes and streams, and uncrowded

open-spaces. Itwill excite yoursenses, refreshyour soul andoffer thepossibility oftaking yourbreath away atevery bend inthe road.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Lake AlmanorRecreational Paradise.

The southern most point of the VolcanicLegacy Scenic Byway is Lake Almanor, also thesouthern end of the Cascade Mountain Range.This area by itself could be a completevacation. In reality it’s not an ending or

beginning point, but a crossroad. In a small amount of space, this is whereHighways 89, 32, 36, and 44 converge. It is also where the Sierra MountainRange meets the Cascade Range. Lake Almanor Basin has been known as arecreational paradise for decades. In addition to the wide variety of water-based recreational activities, it has become a favorite for golfers as there arethree golf courses. Two of them, are now major golf course homedevelopments. Summertime activities on Lake Almanor include waterskiing,jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, and boating. Fishing is available year-round. Apaved recreational trail for bikes and hiking follows the west shore of thelake, offering great views and water access.

Chester has become the business service center for this area. Originallydeveloped as a logging and sawmill community, its current charm comesfrom quaint B&B’s and 1950’s style motels. Chester provides the largest baseof lodging opportunities on the southern portion of the byway. Several ofthe restaurants and businesses date from the early 1920’s, including thebowling alley which has been a dance hall, cafe, pool hall and now a bowlingalley.

Westwood is just to the east of Lake Almanor/Chester. It has the uniquedistinction of once having been the largest company lumber town in thewest. A 24 foot tall statue of the legendary logger Paul Bunyan honors thetown’s logging heritage. Westwood also hosts an annual Paul Bunyan

Mountain Festival. Theroad north out ofWestwood provideswintertime access to theVolcanic Legacy ScenicByway, as the roadthrough Lassen VolcanicNational Park is usuallyclosed from Novemberto May. Just a few milesoff the byway and east ofWestwood is Susanville.The cliffs and gorge ofthe Susan River flank itswestern limits and is theeastern end of the BizzJohnson RecreationalTrail. This rail to trailconversion is consideredby many to be one of themost exhilarating trails

in Northern California. Hwy. A-21 meets Hwy. 44 whicheventually connects back to Hwy. 89 at Old Station. Thisportion of Hwy. 44 with its wide open spaces is popular withsnowmobilers in the winter months.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 133 milesMinimum Driving Time: 4 hoursBest Time to go: Year-round, some portions-

May to October only.For Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782

Along the byway – Chester/Lake AlmanorChamber of Commerce, 530-258-2426, andWestwood Chamber of Commerce, 530-256-2456.

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in Chester, Lake Almanor,Westwood and Old Station, with other limited servicesalong the route.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Lassen VolcanicNational ParkVolcanic History and Scenic Wonder.

The very existence of Lassen Volcanic NationalPark is linked to a loud awakening of LassenPeak in 1914. This was a beginning of a seven-year cycle of sporadic volcanic outbursts with

the major eruption occurring on May 19, 1915, with a massive collapse of thesummit crater spilling flowing lava towards the Sacramento Valley. Threedays later a great explosion blasted out a new crater. This created anenormous mushroom cloud some seven miles into the stratosphere. The areawas designated a National Park in 1916 because of its significance as anactive volcanic landscape.

The park is a compact laboratory of volcanic phenomena andassociated thermal features. Several groups of hot springs and fumarolesremain as remnants of this volcanic activity. Most of these lie in, or areclosely adjacent to, Brokeoff Volcano’s caldera. When entering the park at thesouthern end, the first easily accessible volcanic area is called Sulphur Works.Adjacent to Hwy. 89, it is definitely worth the stop to see nature releasing asmall sample of its fiery core. In the Warner Valley, (accessible only in thesummer months from Chester) two hot springs deliver clear boiling water tothe earth’s surface. This natural source provides a constant supply of hot

water for the Drakesbad Guest Ranchswimming pool.

Back on the byway, a few miles northof Sulphur Works, is the parking area forBumpass Hell and Lake Helen. BumpassHell is an approximate one hour hike andis well worth the outing. It is the largestgeothermal feature in Lassen Park. In 1864,Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, a well knownhunter and mountain man, discovered thisarea. He was the first known person toaccidentally step through the thin crust

and suffered a severe burn whicheventually led to the amputation of oneof his legs. Therefore, this area providedhis own personal hell and the area hasbeen known as Bumpass Hell ever since.

Continuing on the byway just ashort distance to the north is the parkingarea for climbing Lassen Peak. Theparking area, just over 8,000 feet,provides access to an easy trail to the 10,457 summit. Thisseveral hour hike to the top offers unparalleled views of allof Northern California. Other great hikes in the park includethe Kings Creek Trail and Falls, as well as Summit Lakewith both trails accessing the Pacific Crest Trail to the east ofthe highway.

On the north edge of the park is Manzanita Lake. Thisarea has the most accessible camping in the park as well as apark store. Loomis Museum, near Manzanita Lake, is namedafter B.F. Loomis who as an amateur photographer andnaturalist took the invaluable photos of the Lassen Peakeruptions in 1914, 1915 and 1917. His early photographs weresome of the first published after LassenPeak began erupting in 1914.His photographic work andeye witness reports helpeddevelop the nation’sinterest andcontributed to theestablishment ofLassen as anational park.Loomis owned

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Lassen VolcanicNational Park- cont.all the property around Manzanita Lake andhis love for the new park encouraged him todonate his property in order to preserve thisincredible asset.

A stop in the small museum providesboth the photographic and interpretive description of the volcanic nature ofthis prized park. In an era that all too often ignores the importance of natureand special places, Lassen remains a sacred and enchanting destination. It istruly an enriching national park experience.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 33 milesMinimum Driving Time: 2 to 4 hoursBest Time to go: Late May -NovemberFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782Along the byway –Lassen Volcanic National Park, 530-595-4444,Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce, 530-258-2426,Red Bluff/Tehama County Chamber, 530-527-6220, andRedding Convention & Visitors Bureau, 530-225-4100

Services along the route:Lodging and othertraveler services areavailable in Chester, LakeAlmanor, Red Bluff, andRedding, with otherlimited services alongthe route.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Old Station -McCloudCreek, Rivers and Waterfalls.

This section of the Volcanic Legacy ScenicByway begins at the northern edge of LassenVolcanic National Park and is a continuationof the volcanic terrain from Lassen.

Just a few miles north of the park is Old Station, which traces thehistoric Lassen and Nobles Emigrant Trails, both designated by Congress asNational Historic Trails. This area served as a stagecoach stop and militarypost in the early part of California’s settlement. By the 1860’s it was knownthat this area had a unique geological history. Just north of Old Station isSubway Cave offering an opportunity to walk through a volcanic lava tube.The 1/3 mile long cave has a constant temperature of 46 degrees even whenthe outside temperature during the summer months may approach 100.Besides a sweater, you’ll need a flashlight, as there is no lighting inside thisvolcanic spectacle.

Further along Hwy. 89 is Hat Creek, considered by many as one of thebest trout flyfishing streams in the country. Numerous access points, as wellas campgrounds, provide the makings of a great summer vacation. HatCreek, along with numerous other creeks and rivers, virtually rise right outof the ground. These cold spring fed waters are perfect habitat for trout.

Continuing north on Hwy. 89 are several private and Forest Servicecampgrounds, as well as classic mid 19th century resorts. The Intersection ofHwy. 89 and 299 allows for several optional side trips to the communities ofBurney and Fall River Mills. Both have lodging and a variety of restaurants.In Fall River Mills, the historic Fort Crook Museum is open May toNovember, with a huge collection of memorabilia from early settlers andNative American artifacts.

Heading back to Hwy. 89 and north of the Intersection about six milesis what Theodore Roosevelt called the “eighth wonder of the world”McArthur Burney Falls State Park. The never-changing water volume overthe falls is what makes it so unusual. The sources of most of its water aresprings, just a mile above the falls. The state park also includes an extensive

campground and Lake Britton.

The scenic drive continues north onHwy. 89 with uncrowded roads and a

number of forest access roads thatwill truly get you “off the beaten

path”. Hwy. 89 and theMcCloud River loop offers

the chance to see threespectacular water falls –

Lower, Middle and Upper McCloud Falls. Your next stop isMcCloud, a great stopover or even a place to enjoy the evening.

DRIVE TIPS

Distance: 70 milesMinimum Driving Time: 3 hoursBest Time to go: March – NovemberFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782Along the byway -Burney Chamber of Commerce, 530-335-2111,Fall River Valley Chamber, 530-336-5840 andMcCloud Chamber of Commerce, 530-964-3113.

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in Old Station, Hat Creek, FallRiver Mills, Burney and McCloud, with other limitedservices along the route.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–McCloud toTulelakeShasta in View

This portion of the All American Roadhas the distinction of having a view of MountShasta for almost the entire section. MajesticMount Shasta at 14,162 feet is the tallest

volcano in California and can often be seen from more than 100 miles away.For centuries, the mountain has served as the anchor for the Cascade Range,as a spiritual center for Native Americans, and as a nature lover’s andmountain climber’s paradise. The mountain itself has been recognized as oneof the seven scared mountains in the world. Its interesting history, tales oflore, myths and legends continue to attract visitors from around the worldwho believe the mountain has a special spiritual aura. Located on its slopes isthe Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park, the only ski resort on the Volcanic LegacyScenic Byway.

Beginning in McCloud, which is on the southern slope of MountShasta, this picturesque community offers everything from luxuryaccommodations and fine dining to camping and picnicking. McCloud is atown of superlatives - from having the oldest golf course in NorthernCalifornia to the best dinner train experience, and the oldest square andround dance venues in California. Along with it s romantic inns and B&B’s,and its interesting history, McCloud is a beautiful historic town worth a visit.

Moving up the byway, at the base of the mountain is Mt. Shasta City.From the luxurious chalets at Mount Shasta Resort to the largestcampground in the area on Lake Siskiyou, it’s a great place to stay or enjoy arelaxing stroll. The city is known for its wide variety of bookstores, galleries,gift shops and good restaurants, as well as Sisson Museum and Mt. ShastaFish Hatchery. The best access point for the mountain itself is the EverettMemorial Highway which begins in downtown Mt. Shasta City.

Dunsmuir, just south of the byway and Mt. Shasta City has a centurylong history as a railroad town. Dunsmuir is like stepping back in time withits quaint and picturesque downtown. The town may be one of the fewplaces that you can actually spend the night in a 19th century railroad car.Railroad Park Resort, located south of Dunsmuir near Castle Crags, has acollection of old cabooses and dining cars to help provide a truly uniqueresort experience.

Continuing your trek north, Weed, a town on the western slopes ofMount Shasta should be your next stop. The Weed Historic Lumber TownMuseum offers a collection of artifacts including the original lumbercompany store, as well as a collection of antique logging equipment. NearbyLake Shastina is known for its challenging 27 hole “Magnificent Monster”golf course and water recreation. At Weed the byway heads towards Oregonon Hwy. 97. Just a few miles north is The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden,a heart warming memorial dedicated to Vietnam Veterans.

Continuing north on the byway is Grass Lake and Deer Mountain.Grass Lake provides a scenic stop over point while Deer Mountain is popularfor winter snowmobiling and backcountry snow shoeing. Don’t forget to

take in another view of MountShasta looking at its northernand glaciated side.

One of the leastpopulated areas of Californiais also known forthe most wildlifepopulation.Literally millionsof birds passthrough this areaannually on thePacific Flyway.WhendescendingHebron summiton Hwy. 97 you are entering Butte Valley, the only NationalGrasslands in California. The small town of Dorris near theOregon border has several interesting distinctions. Severalyears ago the residents were looking for some way to gainattention to their community so they erected the tallestflagpole west of the Mississippi. On a clear day you can seethis flag waving from more than ten miles away from thesouth. Also, one of the west’s most famous saddlemakers,Conrad Kopenhafer, has his business on Main Street inDorris. The Butte Valley Saddle Company has made customsaddles for such prominent Americans as President RonaldReagan. Leaving Dorris heading for the Oregon border onHwy. 97, the intersection of Hwy. 161 is just a few minutesout of town. This road paralleling the border leads to thewildlife refuge and Tulelake.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–McCloud toTulelake-cont.

On the California side of the borderthere are three prominent wildlife viewingareas, the Lower Klamath and Tule LakeNational Wildlife Refuges, and the Butte ValleyWildlife Area. In 2003, the Lower Klamath

NWR celebrates its 100th anniversary and has the distinction of being thefirst wildlife refuge designated in the United States. Seventy five percent ofthe wildlife migrating along the west coast Pacific Flyway visit these refuges.During the year, over 260 species of birds use the refuge including the largestconcentration of wintering American bald eagles in the continental UnitedStates. Although fall and winter may be best for wildlife viewing, there arenumerous wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year.

The community of Tulelake on the eastern side of the refuges is knownas the horseradish growing capital of the world with more than 1/3 of theworld’s crop grown in the area. This portion of Northern California also hasWWII history. One of the internment camps for Japanese Americans was justoutside of Tulelake, as well as a German/Italian prisoner of war camp. Also inTulelake is the only wildlife waterfowl manufacturer of down products in theUnited States. A side trip to the Lava Beds National Monument is worth thetime, as this area not only has unusual volcanic features but was the site ofthe only Native American/US Army battle in California history.

When you have explored this area, go track on Hwy. 161 to Hwy. 97and a right turn will immediately deliver you into the Oregon portion of thisbyway adventure.

DRIVE TIPS:

Distance: 100 milesMinimum Driving Time: 2 to 4 hoursBest Time to go: April - November, winter for refugesFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782,Along the byway –McCloud Chamber of Commerce, 530-964-3113,Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau, 530-926-3696, andWeed Chamber of Commerce. 530-938-4624

Services along the route: Lodging and other travelerservices are available in McCloud, Mt. Shasta,Dunsmuir, Dorris and Tulelake, with other limitedservices along the route.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Klamath/WildlifeNature’s Gathering.

The 140 mile segment of the VolcanicLegacy Scenic Byway – All American Road wasthe first portion of the byway dedicated by theFederal Highway Administration in 1997. Thebeginning of this segment of the byway on the

Oregon/California border has an immediate opportunity for a short sidetrip. The Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge just to the west of Hwy. 97 ishome to a significant portion of the bald eagles who visit the refuge eachwinter. Back on the byway and continuing north on Hwy. 97, the City ofKlamath Falls is just a few minutes away. In its 135 year history it has hadseveral boom cycles. One of the early dreams of the residents of KlamathFalls was being connected to the rest of America by railroad. This eventuallyhappened with the first train arriving in 1909. Ideally located half waybetween San Francisco and Portland, it immediately began realizing itspotential with the construction by Southern Pacific Railway of themagnificent White Pelican Hotel. The city’s stately new landmark turnedKlamath Falls into a playground for wealthy San Franciscans. By the 1930’s athriving “entertainment industry” had begun to take hold in Klamath Falls.Brothels and saloons attracted many a logger and ranch hand into town onFriday night. Today Klamath Falls is a great place to spend a little time asseveral museums offer a glimpse of the eclectic history of the area. The RossRaglin Theater, constructed in the classic art deco style, is a 60 year oldlandmark in Klamath Falls. Just to the west of Klamath Falls is the Running YRanch with Oregon’s number one rated golf course. Upper Klamath Lakelocated to the east of the byway begins just outside of Klamath Falls. Nearly30 miles long and eight miles wide, the Upper Klamath Lake is the largestbody of freshwater west of the Rockies. Because the lake is so shallow ahighly nutritious blue green algae flourishes in the lake. Packed with anamazing range of micro nutrients, the algae is harvested and processed as afood supplement. At the northern end of the lake, the crystal clear wateraround Pelican Bay is home to a vast population of rainbow trout.Flyfishermen from around the globe catch some of the largest trout on thecontinent. There are several lake excursion operators offering informative

and exciting tours of Upper Klamath Lake. One of these is anew paddle wheeler offering guests a guided tour while theyenjoy a sumptuous meal.

While in this area, an interesting side trip which will takejust a few minutes on Hwy.140 is Lake of the Woods Resort. Mt.McLoughlin, once an active volcano, looms over the lake. This“nuevo” rustic resort is a great place to stay and the food isexcellent. Another wildlife viewing opportunity exists on thenorth end of the lake, Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.Established in 1928, the refuge attracts more than 250 speciesof birds including sandhill cranes, pelicans and bald eagles. Ifyou have enough time, consider renting a canoe at Rocky PointResort for a tour on the lake.

Your next stop will be at Fort Klamath. Built in 1863, thefort was the first military outpost in the region. A museum,open in the summer, provides an interesting recounting of theantagonism between the settlers coming into the area in the1860’s and the Native Americans. This finally culminated in theModoc War of 1872-73.Nearby are the graves ofthose Indians who werehanged for the murder ofGeneral Canby. Amongthose graves is that of the

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Klamath/Wildlife-cont.

famous Modoc Indian, Captain Jack. CaptainJack and his men held off the US Army in theLava Beds south of the state line for over fivemonths, which is one of the most interestingepisodes of western American history.

Continuing north on Hwy. 62, which closely follows Annie Creek, issome extremely interesting geology, including ancient fumaroles that haveundergone extensive erosion creating chimney-like formations. Super heatedgases escaping through vents hardened the soil thousands of year ago. Overtime erosion washed away the softer surrounding soil leaving tall irregularshaped chimneys. Geologists have been known to swoon at this sight. You arenow at the south entrance of Crater Lake National Park, the next segment ofyour byway adventure.

DRIVE TIPS:

Distance: 80 milesMinimum Driving Time: 3 hoursBest Time to go: Year-roundFor Information: Regional -

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association,530- 365-7500 or 1-800-474-2782Along the byway –Klamath County Dept. of Tourism, 541-884-0666

Services along the route: Lodging and other traveler services areavailable in Klamath Falls, Rocky Point, with other limited servicesalong the route.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Crater LakeAmerica’s Deepest Lake.

Crater Lake has been an inspiration to peoplefor hundreds of years. Local Native Americanswitnessed the collapse of Mt. Mazama andkept the event alive in their legends. Oneancient legend of the Klamath people closely

parallels the geologic story which has emerged from today’s scientificresearch. The legend tells of two chiefs pitted in a battle which ended in thedestruction of one of the chief ’s home, Mt. Mazama. The battle waswitnessed in the eruption of Mt. Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake.

In more modernhistory, Crater Lake was firstseen by white men in 1853.That year, three goldprospectors came upon along sloping mountain. Uponreaching its high point theyfound the huge awe inspiringlake. Since gold was more onthe minds of settlers, thediscovery was soon forgotten.The person consideredresponsible for originallyestablishing Crater Lake as asignificant natural asset wasWilliam Gladstone Steel. Hispreoccupation with the lake

began in 1870 and in his efforts to bring recognition to the park heparticipated in numerous scientific studies, and named many of the lake’slandmarks. Steel’s dream of gaining national park status was realized on May22,1902, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation designatingCrater Lake as a national park. Also, Steel’s continued involvement helped

with the development of Crater LakeLodge in 1915 and the Rim

Drive. The drive which goes completely around the lake, wascompleted in 1918.

The lake itself is the deepest lake in the United States and7th deepest in the world. There is no inlet or outlet to the lakewith all the water coming from annual rain and snowfall.Because Crater Lake is filled almost entirely by snowfall, it isone of the clearest lakes in the world. A small volcanic island,Wizard Island, rises 764 feet above the surface of the lake. Asmall crater rests on the summit of the island. Two species offish, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, the result of extensivestocking between 1880 and 1942, live in the lake.

The best time to visit Crater Lake is June throughOctober if you wish to complete the loop around the lake onRim Drive. During the other eight months much of the park isa snow covered wilderness receiving an average of 500 hundredinches of snow annually. When entering the park from thesouth the Annie Springs entry station brings you to the parkheadquarters and the William G. Steel Information Center.This is open year-round. Here you will find detailedinformation about the park, backcountry permits, exhibits,maps, publication sales and a 16 minute video about the park.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway-

All American Road–Crater Lake -cont.

Continuing north from the visitor centerwill soon bring you to the Rim Village. This isthe first overlook of the lake as well as the onlylodging available on the rim of the lake. CraterLake Lodge was established in 1915 and wentthrough an extensive remodel in 1995. Theviews from the lodge are fantastic and meetanyone’s expectations of what a national park

lodge should be. Other lodging and camping is available at the Annie Springsentry station in Mazama Village. The Mazama Village campground has 198sites and the Mazama Village Motor Inn has 40 rooms. There is a lakeoverlook at the Rim Village Visitor Center. From the Rim Village thereseveral hikes that are worth considering including the one to Discovery Pointand also to the top of Garfield Peak. These hikes afford visitors a view ofWizard Island, The Watchman, Hillman Peak, Mt. Thielsen and CleetwoodCove, more than six miles across the lake. Another short walk leads toSinnott Memorial, with a small museum and ranger presentations during thesummer months. This overview gives a spectacular view 900 feet down to thelake’s surface.

The 33 mile Rim Drive encircles Crater Lake with each turn of the roadgiving a different perspective of the lake, rim and surrounding terrain. Thisdrive is only open during the summer but affords numerous overlooks, manywith interpretive signage. The only access to the lake itself is via a steep trailto Cleetwood Cove where boat tours are offered by Crater Lake LodgeCompany. These 1 hour 45 minute ranger narrated tours are available fromlate June through mid September. Tickets are sold in the parking lot at theCleetwood Cove trailhead.

Numerous picnic areas can be found along the rim drive with severalproviding spectacular views. Kerr Notch and Sun Notch have views down tophantom rock and across the lake to Wizard Island. Continuing on the scenicdrive, the north junction will lead you out of the park and onto Hwy. 138.This route makes a quick descent down to Hwy. 97 at Diamond Lakejunction which is about half way between Bend and Klamath Falls. Keep inmind this entrance or exit to the park is usually only open from Junethrough October.

DRIVE TIPS:

Distance: 60 milesMinimum Driving Time: 4 hoursBest Time to go: June-OctoberFor Information:

Klamath County Dept. of Tourism, 541-884-0666 andCrater Lake National Park, 541-830-8700.

Services along the route:Lodging and other traveler services are available inMazama Village and Rim Village.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs andactivities on the basis of race, color, natural origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs,sexual orientation, and marital of family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information(Braille, large print, audio-tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voiceand TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call(202)720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The California Welcome Center, 1699 Hwy. 273,Anderson, California can provide extensive travel planninginformation for all the scenic drives in Northern Californiaas well as information on public lands and travel services.

This guide was produced through agrant from the USDA Forest Service by:

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association1699 Hwy. 273, Anderson, CA 96007

Phone: 530-365-7500/1-800-474-2782, Fax: 530-365-1258Email: scwa@shastacascade.com.

Guide Editor: Karen Whitaker, Tourism Development Manager

Helpful Websites:

www.shastacascade.comwww.volcaniclegacybyway.com

www.klamathcounty.net

Other Resources:

Lassen Volcanic National Park 530-595-4444Crater Lake National Park 541-830-8700

Lava Beds National Monument 530-667-2282Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 530-246-1225

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges 530-667-2231BLM-Surprise Field Office 530-279-6101

Klamath N.F. 530-842-6131Lassen N.F. 530-257-2151Modoc N.F. 530-233-5811Plumas N.F. 530-283-2052

Shasta-Trinity N.F. 530-244-2978Six Rivers N.F. 707-442-1721