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Scenic Drives in Gold Country of Western Siskiyou County
Home of the Mythical State of Jefferson - Yreka, Scott Valley, the Klamath River and the Cal Salmon
Scenic Shasta Valley Alternative to I-5
Tired of the Interstate? Here's a scenic route that won't take you too far out of your way, if you're heading north to the Oregon border. Take the Grenada exit, 6 miles south of Yreka, and continue to the right over the railroad tracks. Take an immediate left onto the Montague-Grenada Rd, and continue 5 miles north, following the pictureque Shasta River through ranch lands to the little town of Montague.
Stop in Montague for lunch, or treat yourself to high tea at Ms. Lynn's, and then continue north out of town. The road is now called Ager Rd. Wind for 15 miles along the edge of the Shasta Valley through ranch lands and grasslands, and over the Klamath River to the turnoff to Hornbrook.
Turn left to return to I-5. If you have extra time, turn right at the stop, and take a short trip up to the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery, and Iron Gate Dam and Reservoir.
Take a drive through Scott Valley
- , a rich ranching area nestled in the mountains southwest of Yreka. The valley is dotted with tiny communities dating back to the Gold Rush Era, when it was a supply station for miners in the mountainous regions along the gold rich Scott, Salmon, and Klamath Rivers. Visitors today will find interesting shops, fine restaurants, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, an excellent microbrewery, and a winery specializing in fruit wines.
The history of Scott Valley parallels the settling of the west. The valley was originally a Shasta Indian settlement, and the richest place for beaver that mountain man and Hudson Bay Company fur trapper, Stephen Meek, had ever seen.
Gold miners flocked into the region, panning and prospecting along the rivers to the north and west. One of these early miners, John Scott, made his big strike in the area now known as Scott Bar. The valley, the mountain, and the river are all named for this gold miner.
As you drive through the valley between Etna and Callahan, you will see enormous piles of rock along the river, which are the tailings left behind a huge gold dredge which once floated in the river.
This valley was once the homeland of the Shasta Indians.
Scott Valley can be reached via Hwy 3 out of Yreka. The trip will take you over Scott Mountain and into the northern part of the valley.
Photograph by Kevin Lahey. |
State of Jefferson Scenic Byway
- - As you drive west along the Klamath River from central Siskiyou County , you will notice dramatic changes in geology, climate, vegetation and wildlife. The high desert climate and vegetation near I-5 is slowly replaced by lush forests and a rich undergrowth watered by increasing yearly rainfall rates as you travel west. Birders will delight in the huge variety of species along the banks of the river, and up numerous roads and trails leading off the main highway. Spring wildflowers all along the river are numerous and spectacular. This area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Gasoline is available in Happy Camp and Seiad Valley, using your credit card at the local card lock stations. Be sure to fill your tank in Yreka before you set out. An excellent internet guide to this route is Discovering the Klamath River Corridor, a web site compiled from a USDA Forest Service booklet, offering photos, information and links.
Salmon River Loop Tour - This 75 mile tour of the extraordinarily scenic Northern Mines region of Siskiyou County will take a half day or longer. You will travel through the California Salmon River country, along both the North Fork and South Fork of this incredibly beautiful area! Check road conditions with the Ranger Station in Yreka or Fort Jones before setting out. This narrow, winding road is not recommended for motor homes, or vehicles pulling a trailer. To more fully experience the fishing, hiking and sightseeing opportunities, many travelers plan to camp along the way. There are no other overnight accommodations available.
The route heads west out of Etna, over the Etna Summit through Sawyers Bar to Forks of the Salmon. Continue left at Forks of the Salmon along the south fork of the Salmon River to Cecilville and on to Callahan. Finish the loop by traveling through southern Scott Valley back to Etna. Along the route you will see pack stations and the great hydraulic mines of the last century. In Sawyers Bar be sure to visit the oldest Catholic Church north of San Francisco, with its tiny historic cemetery.
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