Whenever I am in this part of the State of Jefferson, and time permits, I like to take this drive.   A word of caution, this road is not maintained in the winter and then is only accessible to snow mobiles.   Snowplows will usually block the entrance to the road during the winter.

When the snows are gone and the weather is nice, this road will provide you much scenery.  Bring the camera.   Entering from highway 140 just west of Fish lake you will encounter the flanks of Brown Mountain.  Brown Mountain certainly is an appropriate name.  This is the remains of a volcanic outpouring and is a stark barren landscape.   I have heard it referred to as a cinder cone.  Ha!  These cinders are huge!

Soon you will come upon Butte Creek which flows from Fish Lake.   Here there are tall trees and places to park.   You should take this opportunity to stretch your legs and look around.   A short distance further down the road is the Elk Ranger station, a historical landmark.

Continuing down the road you will encounter Brown Mountain Road (NFD 3705) branching off to your left.  This is a single lane paved road that wanders across the crest of the mountain meadows.   Follow it and it will wind for a few miles in some of the most peaceful  landscape around.   You will pass camp sites and hiking trails along the way.   Take your time and enjoy the mountain air.  If you follow this paved road, it will change names a few times, but eventually you will come out onto Dead Indian Highway.

If you are a hiker, you may be interested in hiking the Brown Mountain Trail.   This trail, about six miles in length, intersects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.

For more about the State Of Jefferson see The Mythical State

Just 49 miles from Montague is the summit of Mount Shasta.  Rising majestically 14,179 feet into the sky, Mount Shasta dominates the view to the south.  Between the summit and Montague are the remains of a huge debris avalanche that occurred over 300, 000 years ago.  This mass of debris appears to us as ridges, hills and mounds rising above the flat slopes of the area.  Since they contrast markedly from their surroundings, these landforms are easy to pick out in the satellite photo.  These masses of material are comprised of a wild mixture of volcanic rock, lava flows, ash, mud, silt, and whatever else was carried along by the avalanche.  Scattered along the western slopes of the valley are volcanic boulders of all sizes.  Some are as tall as a 4 story building.

All of this make for some interesting sightseeing and gives you an opportunity to introduce the kids to some geology.

If you are driving on Interstate 5, you can enjoy much of the scenery here with just a small detour.   Traveling north on the 5 exit at the city of Weed and take Route 97 northwest as if you were going to Klamath Falls.   About 5 miles out of town is Big Springs Road.  Another 10 miles or so ahead is the 99-97 cut-off.  Take either of these and go north to Harry Cash Road.  Take Harry Cash road north and then west to Montague-Ager road in Montague.  Take Montague-Ager Road north to where it becomes Copco Road.  A short distance later you will be back at Interstate 5 at the town of Hornbrook.

As you drive you will see a variety of odd shaped landforms that you can also identify from the satellite photo. Along the way are numerous little side roads you can explore if your schedule permits.  There are a couple of cafes in Montague where you can stop for a bite to eat and where you can meet the people of the area.

The USGS has 3 short but excellent articles about debris avalanches.

For more about the State Of Jefferson see The Mythical State

You can drive here using any of three excellent highways.  Highway 97 runs from the city of Weed California north all the way to Washington just south of Yakima; Highway 395 extends from Interstate 15 near Victorville California to Pendelton in northern Oregon; and Interstate 5 spans the United States all the way from Mexico to Canada.   From each of these it is a scenic drive to Tulelake using local access roads.

Lava Beds National Monument

Lava Beds National Monument is just a few miles southwest of Tulelake.  Here are the remains of years of eruptions from the Medicine Lake volcano.  There are about 30 separate lava flows in the area.   Looking at the satellite map you can see the area devastated by these flows.   The extreme contrast between the farmland to the north and the lava flows seem to leap from the page.

Seeing all this from the ground heightens the drama of the rapid change in scenery.  It was autumn when I drove through the monument and while the farm land was still somewhat green, the terrain of the monument seemed extremely harsh.  In the car I was comfortable, but even a short hike is a little daunting.   I admire anyone with the ability to hike across it.

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

This Wildlife Refuge is a great place for young and old alike.   I have been here a half dozen times and have always enjoyed myself.  Every time I have company from back east, I bring them here for a day trip.   Even people that are not avid wildlife enthusiasts tell me they enjoy the day.   It pays to get here at daybreak, while the birds are still on the water.

One great memory is of my very first visit.  We arrived when dawn was just breaking and there perched on the welcome sign at the entrance was a Great White Owl.    Just as we were getting the camera out, the Park Ranger pulled up and the owl took off.   Later that day we had a young Bald Eagle standing along side the road only 3 feet from the car guarding her dinner.

Captain Jack and the Modoc Indian War

The story of the very expensive and the last Indian War on the Pacific Coast is a sad part of the history of this area.   Many people believe the war could have been avoided.  It is amazing that so few individuals could have held off the U.S. Army for so long.

The Japanese Internment Camp

American citizens deprived of their rights, removed from their homes, incarcerated in concentration camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards; that it couldn’t happen here, could it?   Sadly it did and the issue remains with us even in the American politics of the 21st century.   To me the internment of Americans of Japanese descent highlights the extremes that government officials will go to “prove” their patriotism and keep their exalted positions.   It is a sick part of society and I believe that it must be condemned whenever and wherever it arises.    Much like we are seeing in the “War on Terror” the “War Relocation Center” at Tulelake was nothing more than a fancy name for a Segregation Center or a Concentration Camp.

For more about the State Of Jefferson see The Mythical State