|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Welcome to
Adventure Rides |
| |
Thanks for visiting this
site, If you are looking for adventure rides, this site will
give you a few rides, that If you are like I am, no matter
the price of gas, I am going out to see and enjoy some of
California wide open spaces.
The first:
Distance: 33 miles
Minimum Driving Time: 2 to 4 hours
Best Time to go: Late May – November
Remember: 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
spilling flowing lava towards the Sacramento Valley. Three
days later a great explosion blasted out a new crater. This
created an enormous mushroom cloud some seven miles into the
stratosphere. The area was designated a National Park in
1916 because of its significance as an active volcanic
landscape. Sounds like you would like to see it?
Back on the byway, a few miles north of Sulphur Works, is
the parking area for Bumpass Hell and Lake Helen. Bumpass
Hell is an approximate one hour hike and is well worth the
outing. It is the largest geothermal feature in Lassen Park.
In 1864, Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, a well known hunter and
mountain man, discovered this area. He was the first known
person to accidentally step through the thin crust and
suffered a severe burn which eventually led to the
amputation of one of his legs. Therefore, this area provided
his own personal hell and the area has been known as Bumpass
Hell ever since. Continuing on the byway just a short
distance to the north is the parking area for climbing
Lassen Peak. The parking area, just over 8,000 feet,
provides access to an easy trail to the 10,457 summit. This
several hour hike to the top offers unparalleled views of
all of Northern California. Other great hikes in the park
include the Kings Creek Trail and Falls, as well as Summit
Lake with both trails accessing the Pacific Crest Trail to
the east of the highway. Now don’t you think that this is
one place you can not afford to miss.
Distance: 70 miles
Minimum Driving Time: 3 hours
Best Time to go: March – November
This section of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway begins at
the northern edge of Lassen Volcanic National Park and is a
continuation of the volcanic terrain from Lassen. Further
along Hwy. 89 is Hat Creek, considered by many as one of the
best trout fly-fishing streams in the country. Numerous
access points, as well as campgrounds, provide the makings
of a great summer vacation. Hat Creek, along with numerous
other creeks and rivers, virtually rise right out of the
ground. These cold spring fed waters are perfect habitat for
trout. Continuing north on Hwy. 89 are several private and
Forest Service campgrounds, as well as classic mid 19th
century resorts. The Intersection of Hwy. 89 and 299 allows
for several optional side trips to the communities of Burney
and Fall River Mills. Both have lodging and a variety of
restaurants. In Fall River Mills, the historic Fort Crook
Museum is open May to November, with a huge collection of
memorabilia from early settlers and Native American
artifacts. Heading back to Hwy. 89 and north of the
Intersection about six miles is what Theodore Roosevelt
called the “eighth wonder of the world” McArthur Burney
Falls State Park. The never-changing water volume over the
falls is what makes it so unusual. The sources of most of
its water are springs, just a 1/2 mile above the falls. The
state park also includes an extensive campground and Lake
Britton. The scenic drive continues north on Hwy. 89 with
uncrowded roads and a number of forest access roads that
will truly get you “off the beaten path”. Hwy. 89 and the
McCloud River loop offers the chance to see three
spectacular water falls – Lower, Middle and Upper McCloud
Falls. Your next stop is McCloud, a great stopover or even a
place to enjoy the evening.
Distance: 100 miles
Minimum Driving Time: 2 to 4 hours
Best Time to go: April - November, winter for refuges
This portion of the All American Road has the distinction of
having a view of Mount Shasta for almost the entire section.
Majestic Mount Shasta at 14,162 feet is the tallest volcano
in California and can often be seen from more than 100 miles
away. Beginning in McCloud, which is on the southern slope
of Mount Shasta, this picturesque community offers
everything from luxury accommodations and fine dining to
camping and picnicking. McCloud is a town of superlatives -
from having the oldest golf course in Northern California to
the best dinner train experience, and the oldest square and
round 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 largest
campground in the area on Lake Siskiyou, it’s a great place
to stay or enjoy a relaxing stroll. The best access point
for the mountain itself is the Everett Memorial Highway
which begins in downtown Mt. Shasta City. Continuing your
trek north, Weed, a town on the western slopes of Mount
Shasta should be your next stop. The Weed Historic Lumber
Town Museum offers a collection of artifacts including the
original lumber company store, as well as a collection of
antique logging equipment. Nearby Lake Shastina is known for
its challenging 27 hole “Magnificent Monster” golf course
and water recreation. At Weed the byway heads towards Oregon
on 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 popular for winter
snowmobiling and backcountry snow shoeing. Don’t forget to
take in another view of Mount Shasta looking at its northern
and glaciated side. Leaving Dorris heading for the Oregon
border on Hwy. 97, the intersection of Hwy. 161 is just a
few minutes out of town. This road paralleling the border
leads to the wildlife refuge and Tulelake. A side trip to
the Lava Beds National Monument is worth the time, as this
area not only has unusual volcanic features but was the site
of the only Native American/US Army battle in California
history.
From Lower Klamath Wildlife to the California Border
This northern most section of the California portion of the
All American Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway road represents a
mix of the wildlife habitat and volcanic landscape that is
characteristic of the Byway.
At the Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuges you can
explore wetland habitats on a self guided drive and stop at
the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge visitors center. This
region is also home to the town of Tulelake, the horseradish
growing capital of the world, where you can dine and stay
for the night. The town's new museum explores the area's
history, including the World War II Japanese Interment Camp,
the Modoc Indian War and the recent Klamath Basin water
issue.
Visitors can return to the harsh volcanic world by exploring
Captain Jack's Stronghold and the magma formed caves of the
Lava Beds National Monument, part of the Medicine Lake
volcano. At Petroglyph Point you can view pictographs carved
in the rock that are believed to date from about 500 A.D. to
1600 A.D.
And to go with this ride
The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway follows Oregon Route 62
through peaceful pastures to Fort Klamath. Now a
cattle-raising district, this area was the scene of frequent
clashes between white settlers and the Modoc Indians during
the 1870's. The historic site of the military installation
now has a reconstruction of one of the original buildings
and several historical displays. The byway tour continues on
Weed Road to Sevenmile Road west, then south on West Side
Road along the edge of the Upper Klamath National Wildlife
Refuge and Upper Klamath Lake
The Byway continues south as Oregon Route 140 meets U. S.
Route 97 two miles south of downtown Klamath Falls. Take a
trip into town to visit the historic Baldwin Hotel Museum
and the Favell Museum's impressive collection of Indian
artifacts. Then head south again on U. S. Route 97, passing
through cropland along the Klamath River. You'll travel
between the Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Lower
Klamath National Refuge, our nation's first waterfowl refuge
(established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908) . This
segment of the Byway ends on the California border at the
Francis S. Landrum Historic Wayside, which commemorates the
Applegate Emigrant Trail
Crater Lake to Klamath Basin:
The southern end of this byway begins at California's Lake
Almanor, just miles from the active geothermal features at
Lassen Volcanic National Park. The northern end of the byway
is capped by Crater Lake National Park in Oregon where
mysteries of the earth's interior are studied. Along the
Byway you will see fantastic sites - the slopes of Mount
Shasta jutting above the valley floor to the summit at
14,162 feet, curtains of water showering over basalt cliffs
at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, and lands
riddled with remains of underground magma conduits at Lava
Beds National Monument.
The Crater Lake Region is home, of course, to Crater Lake -
a shimmering body of water that fills the caldera of Mount
Mazama. The lake fills a gaping hole left by one of the
earth's largest explosion in 8,000 years. I was so surprised
about the serenity that engulf one as you gazed over the
lake. As the northern jewel of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic
Byway, Crater Lake can stun visitors with its beauty. The
lake, which is the deepest in the United States, can be
explored in many ways, including taking a boat to Wizard
Island.
At Fort Klamath you will have opportunities to learn about
the Modoc Indians and their struggles with settlers. The
Klamath County Visitors Center in Klamath Falls can provide
you with information about the outstanding wildlife viewing
in the Klamath Basin.
As you catch glimpses of Mount McLaughlin and Mount Scott
along the Byway, remember that you are entering into a land
of powerful upheaval where natural beauty and adventure are
plentiful.
Check out some of these great books, you will find that if
you can not make the ride physically you can make it
mentally.
|
|
|
|
|
