Klamath River

 

All the trucks that had parked in the hotel parking lot last night had vanished without a sound, sometime before I woke up.  Either I was sleeping soundly, or the air conditioner was very loud. No worries though as today we were not going to be amongst trucks for very long.

More Truck Shenanigans

No anti vaxxers  were awake as we made our way to the gas station and filled up. Since I had already programmed the route with a short run on I-5 back north to the beginning of highway 96 I only gave a glance at highway 263, which would have taken us to almost the same place without the short run on the interstate.

Turning off on 96 no golden bears grace the Klamath River Bridge like on highway 101, but there is a visitors’ center, that wasn’t open this morning. No worries for us as we charge into the river corridor at about 40 mph enjoying the morning, the river, and no traffic. Somewhere along the route we encounter a well-kept property with interesting Rock Cairns stacked along the fence.

The Cairns Of Klamath River

The small towns of Klamath River, Horse Creek are mostly abandoned, and what stores or filling station were there are shuttered or overgrown with brush. Only the Village of Seiad Valley is bustling with Crest Trail hikers utilizing the stop for resupplying their journeys or taking part in Seiad Café’s Pancake Challenge.

Pancakes And Succession

The locals who once surely had rifle racks in the back windows of their pickup trucks now walk around combat ready in case one of the hikers tries to make off with the Jackalope, who were once as numerous in these parts as bigfoot.

The  Legendary Jackalope

Highway 96 continues to follow the river through Happy Camp, where rafters are enjoying the water. Turning south towards Clear Creek we pass by access to both Marble Mountain Wilderness, and Siskiyou Wilderness areas. Both places bring back memories of hiking trips from back in the day, and Bigfoot stories whispered around the campfire, back when the land wasn’t tinder dry, and campfires were allowed.

Wild And Scenic Klamath At Weitchpec

Stopping for fuel and snacks at Weitchpec, we decide to try the secondary road to Orick hoping to encounter the Elk that stay around there, but the road turns out to be more of an adventure than my traveling compadre can stand so we turn back after a few miles.

Road Sign Maintained By The Well Regulated Militia

Down through Hoopa we mostly return to civilization and are fully committed as we turn west onto highway 299 into Arcata and meet up with highway 101.

The fog cools the day down, and you can smell salt water. Rolling into Eureka I have local radio tuned in and I don't even need Ohm's guidance system to get me where we are going.