34 Days Through the Western United States and Canada

Day 17 – Monday, August 15th
Red Bluff, California to Butte Falls, Oregon
Highway 36, Wildwood Road, Highway 3, Highway 299, Highway 96

California is very unique in its wide variety of terrain. The topographical features can vary dramatically in a relatively short distance, even from one county to another. This seems particularly true in Tehama county, home to Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yolla Bolly and Trinty Mountain Ranges, and the Middle Eel and Ishi Wilderness Areas. This is truly an area of spectacular and beautiful contrasts.

Dale and I meet for morning coffee in the lobby of the Red Bluff Days Inn and are ready to roll just before sunrise. Tuning into a local TV station, the weatherman’s forecast is for another triple-digit day. Preparing for a hot day’s ride, I fill the Camelbak with ice water and shift the cooling vest to the top of the trunk in case I need it later.

I’ve looked forward to this day with mounting enthusiasm, as today’s ride will cover yet four more renowned California motorcycle roads, Highways 3, 299, 96 and the highly acclaimed Wildwood Road. Heading west out of Red Bluff, we backtrack on a portion of Highway 36 that we rode yesterday evening.

Heading out of Red Bluff on Highway 36



The morning sun on Highway 36 gives the highway a totally different appearance than it had last night. The morning air is still cool and fragrant. Highway 36 is both exciting and scenic, a sensory experience bound to peak the adrenaline of the most unflappably staid soul, this is Seventh Heaven for motorcycles.

Morning sun on Highway 36, Tehama County



Whatever may have been lacking in this morning’s coffee is more than compensated for by the morning ride on Highway 36. Bathed in the morning sun, the landscape takes on a golden glow. Slipping through the rolling terrain, the bikes glide through the broad sweepers as effortlessly as a bird in flight.

Classic sweepers



As Highway 36 nears the Trinity National Forest, the terrain starts to take on a more mountainous character as we approach the foothills of the Cascade Range and Yolla Bolly Mountains.

Rolling foothills of Beegum Gorge – Shasta County, just east of Platina



When we reach the junction of Wildwood Road, Dale decides to stop at a local store and gas station for a cup of coffee while I ride about ten miles farther west to a scenic point we noticed last evening, hoping the morning sun might be more cooperative at this time of day than it was last night.

Endless turns



The traffic is light this morning, I practically have the road to myself. Highway 36 winds continuously through this section of Trinity County, it seems there isn’t a straight section of highway within miles of here. Coming from an area of the country where the county roads are laid out on a one-mile grid pattern, I thoroughly enjoy every second of the ride.

I reach the spot which caught my attention the night before, recalling the pull-out on the side of the road where a California state trooper waved as we passed his parked squad car. I look around for a good shot with the camera but can’t seem to find one. There are vistas that look beautiful in real life that just don’t lend themselves to being captured in a photograph. I try to find the best angle I can.

Expansive Trinity National Forest



Looking back east into the morning sun, I take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this highway. I wonder if anyone has ever counted the number of turns per mile on this highway. Something tells me it’s up there with the very best.

Highway 36 – A motorcycle “dream road”



Route: Highway 36 – Red Bluff to Wildwood



I head back down the road and join Dale for a cup of coffee. Refreshed and ready to ride, we head north on the illustrious Wildwood Road. I had heard great things about Wildwood Road both from my riding partner and native Californian, Dale, as well as the great article by Tim on Pashnit. Only 16 miles in length from Highway 36 to where it ends at Highway 3, yet Wildwood Road is true to its name. This is one wild and winding road passing through a very wild part of the Northern California wilderness. As for the little town of Wildwood that is supposed to be somewhere along this road, I must have blinked, I never saw it!

Wildwood Road



Wildwood Road is your kind of adventure if being far off the beaten path is your goal. There is hardly a cross road or a structure of any kind along the entire path.

Wildwood Road – Serpentine path through beautiful wilderness



Wildwood Road ends at Highway 3 in Trinity County, about 4 ½ miles east of Hayfork. Highway 3 is another one of California’s highly prized motorcycle gems. No sooner do we begin our journey east on Highway 3, do the reasons why become clear.

Highway 3 – Trinity County Slalom Course!



Looking backward from the same spot



Highway 3 bobs and weaves its way through Trinity Forest, an exciting combination of ascending and descending grades through fast sweepers and tight switchbacks.

One of many exciting series of turns on Highway 3



Route: Wildwood Road and Highway 3 – Wildwood to Douglas City



In Douglas City, we head north on Highway 299. Highway 299 is a slightly faster road than Highway 3. The turns are more gradual and sweeping, and high in thrill factor. Following the Trinity River Canyon for many scenic miles, this is a fantastic and spectacular motorcycle road,.

Highway 299 follows the Trinity River Canyon for many miles across Trinity County



Highway 299 crosses the county line from Trinity to Humboldt County about four miles south of the Highway 96 junction in Willow Creek, also crossing from Trinity National Forest to Six Rivers National Forest. A spectacular vista of the South Fork Trinity River Canyon awaits.

Entering Six Rivers National Forest



Scenic Vista of the South Fork Trinity River



We continue on Highway 299 to the town of Willow Creek, where we stop for lunch and fuel. From Willow Creek, we head north on yet another amazingly scenic California motorcycle highway, Highway 96, which continues to follow along the Trinity River Canyon.


Route: Highway 299 – Douglas City to Willow Creek



About three miles north of Willow Creek is a spectacular series of turns, with no shoulder. Unable to safely park the bike in this spot, I continue up the road about ¼ mile and walk back for the picture.

Highway 96 north of Willow Creek



At Weitchpec, Highway 96 crosses the Klamath River at the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers and the north side of the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation.

Awesome ride, Highway 96 along the Klamath River



The Klamath River



Further north, the Orleans Suspension bridge crosses the Klamath river in Humboldt County near the city of Orleans. The existing bridge was completed in 1967, but at least two other bridges have occupied this site during the last century. In 1921, a wooden bridge on this site dating back to 1912 was destroyed by fire. A second suspension bridge built in 1940 was destroyed by flood in 1965.

The Orleans Suspension Bridge near Orleans in Humboldt County



Near Somes Bar, Highway 96 crosses from Humboldt to Siskiyou County, and from Six Rivers to Klamath National Forest. The H. Lyle Davis Memorial Bridge crosses the Klamath River in Siskiyou County. Built in 1970, this bridge is named after a highway worker who died operating heavy equipment during the construction of Highway 96.

The H. Lyle Davis Memorial Bridge on Highway 96 over the Klamath River in Siskiyou County



A view across the H. Lyle Davis Memorial Bridge as it curves across the Klamath River



H. Lyle Davis Memorial Bridge at the Klamath River



A view of Highway 96 north from the H. Lyle Davis Memorial Bridge at the Klamath River



Klamath River between Cottage Grove and Clear Creek



Klamath River between Cottage Grove and Clear Creek



Dale and I roll into Happy Camp around 4:00 pm. A day of riding in triple digits has left us looking for a place to find a cold drink. Slightly worn out from the heat, we rest for a while in the shade. The sun has dampened our clothes, but not our enthusiasm. After a short break, we’re ready to roll once more. As I walk to back to the bike, I am startled by a rare Sasquatch sighting, and catch the illusive creature on camera as he is about to abscond with the Wing.

Local purloiner caught in the act at Happy Camp



Dale accompanies me another 64 miles down Highway 96 to the Junction of Interstate 5, stopping here for a while to rest and chat about the fabulous day’s ride we have just shared. But its already after 5:00 pm and I still have another 100 miles to cover before the end of the day, of which the last few miles will be deep into the wilderness of Oregon’s Rogue River National Forest. Dale and I say our good-byes after having shared with Dale two of the most incredible riding days of my life. Thanks Dale, it’s been great fun.

Route: Highway 96 – Willow Creek to Interstate 5



Heading north into Oregon on Interstate 5, I cross the Oregon border at exactly 6:00 pm.

Entering the State of Oregon



I leave Interstate 5 in Medford, Oregon and head north on Highway 62, making my way north through the little towns of White City, Eagle Point, Shady Grove, and Trail. In Prospect I figure I better stop and get something to eat as there will be nothing in the way of food beyond this point. I find a great little place to eat in Prospect, The Prospect Cafe & Trophy Room. Once inside, it was soon apparent why they call it a trophy room!

Cougar Mount – Prospect Cafe & Trophy Room



Cougar and Deer Mount – Prospect Cafe & Trophy Room



Cougar Mount – Prospect Cafe & Trophy Room



After dinner, I stop at a local grocery store to pick up a few food items to carry me over until morning. It’s been a very hot day, so I also pick up a couple of tall cold Coors to enjoy once I arrive at the cabin. It’s only another 11 miles to the cabin from here, but they prove to be a rugged 11 miles through the beautiful Rogue River National Forest. When I arrive at the cabin, there are several black-tail deer grazing in the adjoining pasture. I park the bike and carry in my gear at sundown. Perfect timing, and a beautiful end to an incredible day’s ride.

Black tail deer at Imnaha Campground, Rogue River National Forest



Black tail deer at Imnaha Campground, Rogue River National Forest



Route: Highway 96 to Rogue River National Forest, Oregon


End of Day 17
Location: Butte Falls, Oregon
GPS Mileage = 6566 miles
Today’s Mileage = 413 miles


Route: Day 17