Shasta Valley Wildlife Area
In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, the Klamath National Forest will be sponsoring a bird watching field trip on Saturday, May 7th at the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, located approximately 3 miles East of Montague, at 1724 Ball Mountain Road. This event is open to everyone and will be a day of bird watching led by local biologists and bird experts. For more information contact Sam Cuenca at 530-468-5351.
The Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion is noted for having a diversity of geology and vegetation. It is an area of overlap of the Cascade, Sierra Nevada, and coast ranges and has plant communities representing each of these zones. This contributes to the wide range of bird species that occur here. Any season of the year is good for bird watching in our valleys and mountains. We are now approaching spring and early summer when many long distant migrant species are showing up from points south to breed in Siskiyou County. This is the time of year when warblers, osprey and turkey vultures make their long journeys to spend the summer months in the various habitats of the Klamath Mountains.
There are many bird watching opportunities on the National Forest, wildlife areas, local parks and even backyards. This is a very enjoyable and inexpensive activity for curious people of all ages. Birdwatching skills could be developed with a simple walk along a creek or trail. All that is needed is a pair of binoculars and a bird identification book (which are available locally), and a sense of wonder. For more information please contact your local Forest Service office.
(From a Klamath National Forest press release)
Get up, get up and go see the balloons! Montague Balloon Fair dawn ascension Saturday and Sunday morning – at dawn! Check out photos from Friday’s dawn take off. For more pics and info, follow the link to the event’s Facebook page.
The Montague Balloon Fair on Sept 24, 25, and 26, provides a chance to check out one of the Shasta Valley’s little towns while appreciating some amazing sites. You’ll want to get up early and bundle up for the dawn ascension, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings starting around, well, dawn. At the launch site at Rohrer Field on the outskirts of Montague, the Shasta Valley Rotary will be providing a breakfast of hot coffee and donuts to help warm you up beginning at 5:30am, followed by a full breakfast sponsored by the Elks from 7-11am (also at the launch site).
Once you get your day started with images of balloons rising into the pale sky with Mt. Shasta framing the sunrise, it’s on to events in town. There isn’t much happening on Friday after the dawn ascension, so you can take time to explore the area and the store offering Balloon Fair specials before coming back at 6:30pm for cowboy poetry and a BBQ chicken dinner at the Montague Community Hall. You’ll want to call ahead for dinner tickets to make sure you get in (call 530.467.5346).
Come Saturday things pick up. After the dawn ascension and the breakfast at the launch site, the town of Montague will host a farmers and crafters market, chili cook-off and kids activities at Railroad Park across from the quaint downtown area. The market is open from 9am to 2pm, punctuated by the Main Street parade that starts at 12:30. Bring your lawn chair and pick a spot in the shade to watch this authentic, local parade. The launch site hosts a BBQ sirloin dinner from 5-7pm, put on by the Shasta Valley Rotary, followed by the night burn at dusk, where balloonists fire their burners in the falling light.
While you’re in Montague, check out some of the local businesses that have sponsored the Balloon Fair – they’ll be offering Balloon Fair specials. Ms. Lynn’s Teas (fun for adults and kids), Shepherd Dream (the natural wool bedding store), Tailgate Deli, Railroad Museum, Cortright’s Market and Deli, and Kathy’s Deli and Bakery are all offering specials.
Sunday wraps up early: after the dawn ascension get your breakfast at the launch site, and then call it a day. From here a nice option is to take a Sunday drive out into the Little Shasta Valley or north towards Hornbrook. Just grab yourself a local map and go exploring on the backroads – it’s beautiful out there!
State of Jefferson flag
You may see the XX flag, or hear mention of the State of Jefferson. While you’re visiting far Northern California you may notice that the public radio station is Jefferson Public Radio. Why is Jefferson so popular, you may wonder. Well, it’s not homage to a past president, but to an idea and movement that lives on today in the hearts and minds of her residents: in 1941 a handful of counties in far Northern California and Southern Oregon attempted to become the 51st state – Jefferson. While the secession movement died with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the identity of the region as Jefferson has lived on. While you’re visiting Siskiyou County you are in the heart of Jefferson, where the county seat (Yreka) was designated as the state capitol during the secession movement.
Mt. Shasta and the Shasta Valley
Today you can experience the (now mythical) State of Jefferson by touring its vast geographic area and talking with its people. You will see bumper stickers proclaiming residency of the State of Jefferson, the occasional flag and t-shirts for sale in gift shops. Yreka, Fort Jones and Montague are likely spots for finding your own t-shirt or bumper sticker. The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway winds through the region, from Yreka to the coast. Visit Siskiyou’s scenic drive page provides some info about the Byway and other shorter drives in the area. You can read about it in the new magazine Jefferson Backroads, which shares history, coming events and advertisements from local businesses.
Mostly, the State of Jefferson is something to be searched for as you explore the rugged land and small towns that make up the region, a sense to be discovered as you stretch your own independence and self reliance. It’s a mythology you can build on as you create your own experiences here, whether you drive down backroads or head for the hills.
The first climb of the day on the Siskiyou Century 100-mile ride
The Summit Century out of Mt. Shasta had another wonderful year (see the post below), and now it’s time to think about fall bike rides. The Siskiyou Century, headquartered in Yreka, offers a different kind of ride: plenty of valley views along hay fields and pastures on routes that don’t provide nearly as much climbing as the Summit Century. Don’t get me wrong, the 100-mile century is still a challenging ride, but you’ll be looking at different settings on this ride. For folks who just don’t want to pedal that far, the metric 1/2 century (37 miles) and the metric century (64 miles) head out to the beautiful Little Shasta Valley, where you will have to push up some small hills, but mostly you’ll be cruising the flats and enjoying the scenery.
The Sept 11th ride tours both the Shasta Valley and the Scott Valley (for the 100-mile ride). Here you’ll get to see the heart of Siskiyou County’s agricultural production in valleys where farming families have been here for generations. The two shorter rides leave Yreka for Montague, a quiet town that used to be a bustling hub for cattle and goods moving on the railroad. From there the routes go out the Little Shasta Valley where the quaint church is the subject of many a photo. This valley ride is just beautiful, with green pastures along side the roads and Mt. Shasta towering over the scene.
The 100-mile leaves Yreka to climb Forest Mountain to the west, where you get to enjoy a long downhill into the Scott Valley. At Greenview riders make a right hand turn that sends them out to the tiny hamlet of Mugginsville and the beauty of the Quartz Valley. You’ll return to Fort Jones, then head down Eastside Road, my favorite part of the ride (until you hit the rollers at the end of the road when it’s usually really hot). Lunch in the cool shade at the fire station in Callahan gives you a rest before you tackle the 14-mile climb up to the Gazelle Mountain summit. They’ve promised to have beer at the top (but that was probably a joke) and the ice pops are always welcome. Coming down Gazelle Mountain is a downhiller’s favorite before the last flat 20 miles back to Yreka.
This is a wonderful fall ride that explores gorgeous, quiet roads of Northern California. Come check it out!
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning here in Siskiyou County and it finally feels like summer has set in. Plenty of options for things to do this weekend –
cream tea at Ms. Lynn's Tea in Montague
My first pick for the weekend: heading out to the Montague Farmers Market Saturday morning. It’s at Railroad Park in downtown Montague from 9am to noon. I’m looking for fresh veggies, cheese, and maybe some buffalo meat. Other things to do in the Montague area: check out Shepherd’s Dream wool bed store, slow down for lunch at Ms. Lynn’s Tea, go to the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area or drive (or bike) through the Little Shasta Valley because it’s just so darn pretty. If you find yourself heading for Little Shasta then you might as well head up to the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms to see if the lavender’s blooming yet in this odd summer.
If you’re in Yreka on Saturday, the Siskiyou County Museum is hosting Black Bart at 2pm for a first person presentation of the life and times of the infamous stage coach robber and his counterpart, nemesis, Wells Fargo detective, James Hume.
If you like water events, Saturday at 10 am the River Exchange is holding a Family Fun Event at the Lake Siskiyou Marina. From 10am to 3pm you can grab your paddle and kayak or canoe for a wet poker run. Paddle your craft to five stations around the lake to pick a card – best hand wins! Kayak and paddle board demos, prizes, BBQ and more. The fun starts at 10 am. $10 for adults, $6 children under 12, or $20 for a family. To register or for more information go to www.riverexchange.org or call 530-235-2012.
So there are some suggestions for enjoying Siskiyou County this weekend.
Tags: Family Fun, farmers market, Lake Siskiyou, Montague, Ms. Lynn's Tea, Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms, Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, Shepherd's Dream, Siskiyou County Museum, Yreka
Family Fun | Visit Siskiyou June 25, 2010 | 
Comments (0)
Indulge yourself at Ms. Lynn's Teas in Montague.
It feels like summer has finally come to Siskiyou County and it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. If you’re here in Siskiyou County on this beautiful morning here are some suggestions for how you can spend your day:
Dunsmuir Railroad Days: Fuel up with a pancake breakfast at St. John’s Catholic Church Social Hall then check out model trains, take the kids to the L’il Engineer Contest, tour the Railroad Museum, watch the parade and more. There will be food, craft, and train related booths. Stay later for live music or enjoy a picnic at Tauhindauli Park.
Take a drive to the Vintage Airstream Trailer Rally outside of McCloud at Friday’s RV Park for the Airstream Open House. Afterwards, keep driving to the stunning aquamarine waters of McCloud Reservoir or plan an afternoon hike on the Squaw Valley Creek Trail.
Go underground at Lava Beds National Monument to tour extensive lava tubes. Call early in the morning to find out if any spots are still open on the Fern Cave Tour, and if not, check in at the afternoon summer interpretive program before heading back into the cool darkness of the caves.
Walk the fields at the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm on opening day. It’s been a long spring, so the blossoms may not be open yet, but nevertheless, the farm provides a beautiful view of the valley and Mount Shasta.
Shop for goodies at the Montague Farmers Market from 9am to noon at the downtown park then settle in at Ms. Lynn’s Teas for a delightful, leisurely lunch.
Fields of lavender with Mt. Shasta in the background
Yes, mark your calendar for the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms season – June 12th thru July 18th – because it’s a short season and you don’t want to miss it. The heady scent of lavender and the low buzz of bees greets you as you walk into the rows of lavender, admiring the color around you. Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms is located on a slope above the Shasta Valley where the red soil provides stark contrast to the bring purple flowers. From up on the hillside you can look out of the valley where you have full view of Mt. Shasta as well as the Eddy Mountains. You can walk the straight rows or the arcs of the labyrinth or sit in the shade outside the villa-like farmstand that offers lavender lemonade.
When you go, plan to take your time. Some folks spend time with their camera working to capture the scene while others bring their paints for plein-air painting. You’ll want to make several excursions out into the lavender where you’ll see something new every time. There are tables with umbrellas half way out in the field, so you can stop for some shaded rest as you pick baskets of lavender stems. When you’re done touring the fields, be sure to browse the villa for lavender-inspired products and artwork.
The Little Shasta Church
The Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms is somewhat remote, nestled on the eastern side of the Shasta Valley. Pick up directions from the Farms’ website. On your way to the Farms you’ll be near the Little Shasta Valley (just north of the farm on Harry Cash Road). This is a great area for the Sunday drive of days past where you can see the old steepled church and drive through lush green farm land. Take a map of the area and spend the afternoon driving the back roads before heading back to town. There is plenty see out in the Little Shasta Valley, and you can learn more about it on this older post Touring the Little Shasta Valley and Montague.
Mom and I finally made the trip to the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms on Saturday, and boy, what a treat – row upon row of brilliant lavender buzzing with happy bees, the scent filling the air and the mountain rising up over the Shasta Valley beyond. We went the in afternoon, when it was hot, but the lavender lemonade in the villa was quite refreshing. When we arrived the Farm was also buzzing with people – some where sitting at shaded tables outside the villa, others were set up in the rows with tripods and cameras in photographic bliss, while a few painters had staked out spots in the field where they were committing the scene to canvas. We saw folks walking the new Lavender Labyrinth, and wandering the rows looking for the perfect stems to take home. The farm is open for just one month a year – from mid June to mid July, when the public can come out and enjoy the setting and cut their own stems. You can get 100 stems for $3, as well as the many treats available in the villa. We came home with the lovely lavender-lemon cookies baked by Ms. Lynn’s Tea in Montague.
The farm is open daily from 9am to 4pm (try to go in the morning if it’s going to be a hot day). It’s located off Highway 97 – turn west onto A-12, then look for the signs. This year the farm is open until July 19th, so get out there while you can.
It looks like the weather is going to be nice for Mother’s Day here in Siskiyou County. You’ve got plenty of brunch spots to choose from for a family outing, as well as spring flowers to admire while you’re out on a post-brunch stroll. Enjoy the company of your loved ones and the beautiful blue skies.
In Dunsmuir –
The Brown Trout Cafe is offering Mother’s Day brunch Sunday from 10am-2pm, with discounts in the Brown Trout Gallery. A Wild Thyme Cafe and Cornerstone Cafe are wonderful choices for brunch, and the Cornerstone always offers delicious specials. If you’re gathering later in the day, consider an early dinner at Cafe Maddelena, where the cuisine is always top notch. After you’ve eaten you can ease off your meal by walking around downtown Dunsmuir (keeping an eye out for the dogwoods mentioned in Joanne’s recent post). Or you can head to the river: both the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens and Taulindauli Park have trails that take you close to the water. They also have spring flowers in bloom, which makes a Mother’s Day stroll especially nice.
In Mt. Shasta –
The Mount Shasta Resort and Wayside Inn are offering Mother’s Day brunches, and there are a number of restaurants in town to choose from. Not far from the Mount Shasta Resort, the Lake Siskiyou trail provides a beautiful site for a walk. The North Shore trail is quite sunny with a good view of the lake, and the trail across from the Castle Lake road it full of blooming dogwoods right now. If you’re in town, cut up Castle Street to the Sisson Meadow boardwalk for fabulous views and benches where you can chat and enjoy the spring weather. If you’ve got little ones with you, go to the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery (on the west side of I-5) where the kids can feed the fish and a short connector trail will take you to the Elsa Rupp Nature Trail across Old Stage Road.
In Yreka –
For Mother’s Day, Yreka’s got two great events: the Red Scaft Society’s “Music in the Air” performance and the 16th Annual Wildflower Show at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds. In conjunction with the Wildflower show, there is a tour of the Shasta Valley Wildlife Area (outside of Montague) on May 9th. “Music in the Air” begins at 3pm at the Yreka Community Theater, and the Wildflower Show is from 1oam-4pm at the Fairgrounds. If you’re in Yreka and looking to get outside for a post-brunch walk, head to Greenhorn Park, where a trail will take you around the pond to explore the Upper and Lower Parks. Be sure to bring some bread crumbs with you, as the geese and ducks at the pond expect more goodies on Mother’s Day (they’re moms too, don’t ya know). For a Mother’s Day meal, check out Nature’s Kitchen, Grandma’s House or get festival at Casa Ramos or Lalo’s.
In Montague –
Ms. Lynn’s Tea has two events planned for the weekend: “Wonder fo the Mother”, Saturday at 1pm accompanied by a dessert tea, and all day Sunday you can stop in for a Queen’s Tea with musical accompaniment. Ms. Lynn’s is lots of fun – you can dress up for tea with props provided at the tea house, or come in your own fine garb.
