About The Backroads Adventure Playground
Does The State of Jefferson have backroads? Does a bear........................ooh yeah, lots of both! Here in my little patch of this paper, I get to indulge myself with exploring and describing these many backroads. I will give you just enough information to head off in the right direction. In the State of Jefferson any direction is the right direction within the adventure playground!
What’s your pleasure? Road trips? Then jump on your motorcycle, into your convertible, sports car or even the family vehicle and head out. Start in the old mining town of Yreka and head through the Shasta Valley to the base of Mt. Shasta, into the town of Weed, home to College of the Siskiyous. Peruse the shops of the city of Mt. Shasta with a righteous volcano looking down at the top of your head. Discover the lumber town of McCloud or the railroad town of Dunsmuir. To the east are the agricultural communities of Macdoel and Dorris then Tulelake, as you pass along the edge of the Lower Klamath and Tulelake wildlife refuges. Hit the Klamath River Highway down river to Happy Camp then Somes Bar and even Orleans. Come back up the Salmon River through Forks of the Salmon and Sawyers Bar eventually arriving at Etna or South to Callahan. Or come back up across the Scott River Road arriving at Fort Jones. Either way you absorb the beauty of Scott Valley with its ranching community and the Marble Mountains. There are backroads on the backroads!
Like to raft or go kayaking? For the adrenaline junkie or family you can find white water or calm water to get wet! Float the Upper Klamath, “Slammin’ Salmon”, and Scott River for a rush. Slow down and enjoy the main Klamath and Upper Sacramento for family fun. Head into the Jefferson Backroads and within a couple hours of Yreka you will find the Rogue, Illinois, Trinity and even the Smith River is within the bounds of The State of Jefferson. Hit em’ on your own or check out the local guides ready and willing to give you a thrill!
Want to hunt and fish? The rivers above will provide a fishing adventure. Not to mention the lakes! Everything from world class salmon and steelhead fishing to rainbows, browns, catfish and perch for the kids.Yup, shut down the computer, turn off the video games, quit networking for a few hours and set the cell phone to “emergency only” then get off your backside and hit the trails. You can walk 100 yards into Kangaroo Lake or for miles in the wilderness areas. We live at the confluence of several deer hunting zones, X Zone, B Zones and C Zones. Those bears, yup most anywhere you hit the woods. Duck and goose hunter Valhalla can be found at the Shasta Valley, Meiss Lake, Lower Klamath and Tulelake refuges. Hit em’ on your own or experience the expertise of local guides who specialize in Jefferson Backroads adventures.
Like to hike or ride horseback? The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the Marble Mountain, Russian and Trinity Alps Wilderness areas! Our snow capped volcano also has a trail or two for the adventurous soul!
Want to golf while in the shadow of a volcano? Think Mt. Shasta Resort, Lake Shastina Golf Resort, McCloud Golf Club, Weed Golf Course and Shasta Valley Golf Club in Montague.
The winter sports enthusiast will enjoy Mt. Shasta and Mt. Ashland ski resorts. Look to Mt. Shasta for miles of snowmobile and cross country trails.
Want more? Hot air balloons, car shows, motorcycle runs, biking, camping, panning for gold (avoid others mining claims) archery clubs, good old fashioned country fairs, rodeos, car races, summer concerts in the park, back country horsemen, bike rides and triathlons.
We do it all in the spirit of Jefferson with independence, passion, pride and with a love for family, community and country. See ya on the backroads, the Jefferson Backroads!!
