Guide to Shasta Cascade 2009 - (Page 14) BIGFOOT SCENIC ByWAy Wild & Scenic River Canyons, Legendary Bigfoot Lore, and Native American & Gold Rush History This scenic drive follows two nationally designated Wild and scenic rivers: Klamath river and north fork of the Trinity river, both known for their trophy sized steelhead and salmon, and thrilling whitewater boating. These rivers cut through the siskiyou and Klamath mountains, and provide ideal habitat for wildlife. hoopa, Yurok, and Karuk indian tribes have made their home in the area for at least a thousand years. native american and rich gold rush history – a byway of discovery. lodging and other traveler services are available in Willow creek and happy camp, with other limited services along the route. SMITH RIVER SCENIC ByWAy Wild & Scenic River, National Recreation Area, all within Northern California’s Shortest Scenic Byway This scenic byway follows the smith river, which is considered one of the crown jewels of the national Wild & scenic river system. as the byway climbs away from the coast, it enters the smith river canyon. The national recreation area has seven distinctive plant communities. You’ll pass from a coastal redwood forest to old growth stands of douglas fir to dense chaparral. The river has more than 175 miles of navigatable waterway ranging from class 1 to class 5. lodging and other traveler services are available in crescent city, Gasquet and Patrick creek, with other limited services along the route. VOlcanic VOLCANIC LEGACy SCENIC ByWAy – All AmericAn roAd One of just 37 all american roads in the united states, the Volcanic legacy scenic Byway connects lassen Volcanic national Park in northern california and crater lake national Park in southern Oregon. The volcanic activity of the cascade range has created unique geological formations that can only be seen in this part of america. The byway travels through dense forests, across broad wetlands, pastoral grasslands, along clear swift streams and through massive farms and ranches. These wide open-spaces make this area adjacent to the byway an ideal setting for hiking adventures, great fishing and whitewater boating. enjoy great scenery and a chance to experience a slower, quieter pace of life. communities along the byway are eager to tell their story and share their uniqueness with you. The Volcanic legacy scenic Byway is about blue skies, virgin forests, clear lakes and streams, and uncrowded open-spaces. a few days along the byway could be one of your most memorable vacations, one that excites your senses, refreshes your soul and offers the possibility of taking your breath away at every bend in the road. DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 88 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 2 hours • Best Time to go: April-November DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 33 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 1 hour • Best Time to go: Year.- round STATE OF JEFFERSON SCENIC ByWAy Colorful Settlement History, a Blend of Narrow Valleys, Steep Forested Mountains & the Rugged Klamath River The state of Jefferson scenic Byway derives its name from an early 1940’s movement to create the 49th state. in 1941, locals blockaded highway 96 and declared Jefferson to be its own state. Many believed that Jefferson would have become the 49th state in the union had the bombing in Pearl harbor not focused the nation on war in the Pacific. The mighty Klamath river, called the “clamet” by native americans, continues to shape the lifestyle and landscape of northern california. Today the Klamath river is popular for its scenic beauty, as well as its extensive recreational opportunities such as fishing and rafting. lodging and other traveler services are available in Yreka and happy camp, with other country style camping and lodging opportunities along hwy. 96, and other limited services along the route. MODOC VOLCANIC SCENIC ByWAy Unrivaled Volcanic Features, Natural Wonders and Indian Lore Traversing an area unrivaled in north america for its volcanic features, the Modoc Volcanic scenic Byway provides a rich mixture of geology, wildlife viewing and indian history. This route is somewhat unique in that the entire route is only available for driving for a short four month span from June 1st to October 15th. although the road is good, portions of the byway are unpaved. The portion of the route in the Tule lake national Wildlife refuge is best visited during the winter months when the most viewing opportunities are possible. lodging and other traveler services are available in Mccloud and Tulelake, with other limited services along the route. Lake Almanor/Chester A recreational Paradise The southern most point of the Volcanic legacy scenic Byway is the chester/lake almanor basin, where highways 89, 32, 36, and 44 converge. it is also where the sierra Mountain range meets the cascade range. although originally developed as a logging and sawmill community, chester’s charm now comes from quaint B&B’s and 1950’s style motels. chester provides the largest base of lodging opportunities on the southern portion of the byway. Westwood is just to the east of lake almanor/chester. it has the unique distinction of once having been the largest company lumber town in the west. a 24 foot tall statue of the legendary logger Paul Bunyan honors the town’s logging heritage. The road north out of Westwood provides wintertime access to the Volcanic legacy scenic Byway, as the road through lassen Volcanic national Park is usually closed from november to May. Just a few miles off the byway and east of Westwood is susanville. The cliffs and gorge of the susan river flank its western limits and is the eastern end of the Bizz Johnson recreational Trail. This rail to trail conversion is considered by many to be one of the most exhilarating trails in northern california. DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 120 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 4-5 hours • Best Time to go: June 1st through Oct. 15th DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 108 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 3-4 hours • Best Time to go: Yr.- round for Hwy. 96 portion, Grayback Summit closed during the winter months. EMIGRANT TRAILS SCENIC ByWAy Rich in Native American, Euro-American, & Emigrant Trail History & Culture Travelers on this route will drive within close proximity to the applegate, lassen and Burnett emigrant Trails. The scenery of Goose lake, the Warner Mountains, and beautiful farm country, will take you back in history to when this area was settled over 150 years ago. The Warner Mountains have one of the most unique obsidian deposits in the united states, with four areas open for collection. The byway route is also part of the “Pacific flyway” for migrating birds and 75% of the migrating waterfowl pass through the nearby Klamath Basin refuges. The south Warner Wilderness contains many attractions and is close to the byway. lodging and other traveler services are available in alturas, cedarville, Tulelake, with other limited services along the route. BARREL SPRINGS BACK COuNTRy ByWAy High Desert, Applegate-Lassen Trail, and 150 Years of Little Change in the northeastern corner of california the Warner Mountains rise in a near solid wall to an elevation of almost 10,000 feet. crossing over these mountains at cedar Valley, you will enter a totally different world. explorer John freeman named it “the Great Basin”, the land where none of the rivers run to the sea. lodging and other traveler services are only available in cedarville and fort Bidwell. There are no other services along the route. DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 133 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 4 hours • Best Time to go: Year - round, some portions – May to October only. Lassen Volcanic National Park Volcanic History and Scenic Wonder The very existence of lassen Volcanic national Park is linked to a loud awakening of lassen Peak 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 the summit crater. DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 93 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 3 hours • Best Time to go: Summer, check road conditions before traveling. DRIVE TIPS • Distance: 64 miles • Minimum Driving Time: 2 hours • Best Time to go: Year-round 14 | shasta cascade Visitors Guide 2009
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