14 replies to this topic

[ntsqd]

If you are going to be in the Lassen area then make a point of stopping at McArthur-Burney Falls and be sure to hike down into the canyon. For a mostly typical CA state park campground it was a pretty pleasant stay.

I've driven 299 between Redding and the coast several times. First time was for the Kinetic Sculpture Races and we were late so I was making time. Well as much time as you can in a diesel Rabbit. Middle time was in a blizzard in a 26 foot U-Haul over-weight with robotics/automation hardware (long day & longer story). And the last time was coming back from an OR Lighthouses trip. I don't recall any experiences such as yours though the blizzard was a little hairy due to the weather.

We were recently over part of 89 on our long way back from Bend, OR ( avoiding I-5 as much as possible too: 97 > 31 > 395 > 299 > 89 > 70 > 99). Conditions and traffic were what I'd expect in such an area, reasonable and sparse except for the Lassen influence - and even that wasn't bad at all. Mostly farm traffic as we weren't in the area on a weekend.

[MarkBC]

If you are going to be in the Lassen area then make a point of stopping at McArthur-Burney Falls and be sure to hike down into the canyon. For a mostly typical CA state park campground it was a pretty pleasant stay.

I've driven 299 between Redding and the coast several times. First time was for the Kinetic Sculpture Races and we were late so I was making time. Well as much time as you can in a diesel Rabbit. Middle time was in a blizzard in a 26 foot U-Haul over-weight with robotics/automation hardware (long day & longer story). And the last time was coming back from an OR Lighthouses trip. I don't recall any experiences such as yours though the blizzard was a little hairy due to the weather.

We were recently over part of 89 on our long way back from Bend, OR ( avoiding I-5 as much as possible too: 97 > 31 > 395 > 299 > 89 > 70 > 99). Conditions and traffic were what I'd expect in such an area, reasonable and sparse except for the Lassen influence - and even that wasn't bad at all. Mostly farm traffic as we weren't in the area on a weekend.

I agree -- I've driven 299 from Redding to Alturas several times and nothing seemed gnarly about it to me.

I've taken the route you took from Bend a few times on my way home to Bend from Redding. It's a lot longer, but much more interesting. ...until you get near Lapine on 31.
BTW: The stretch of US 97 between Bend and the first 75 miles south of there is almost as boring as I5 -- a laser-straight corridor bordered by mostly spindly lodgepole pines, mostly blocking any view. IMHO.

[Smokecreek1]

I agree -- I've driven 299 from Redding to Alturas several times and nothing seemed gnarly about it to me.

I've taken the route you took from Bend a few times on my way home to Bend from Redding. It's a lot longer, but much more interesting. ...until you get near Lapine on 31.
BTW: The stretch of US 97 between Bend and the first 75 miles south of there is almost as boring as I5 -- a laser-straight corridor bordered by mostly spindly lodgepole pines, mostly blocking any view. IMHO.

Say, how many years do these folks have to make this trip anyway? I agree with MarkBC here, 299 is okay, mainly depends on weather, 89 and the other roads in NENW Ca can be fun too. I have a stick shift so 32 from Red Bluff to the coast is no fun, unless you have a motercycle- throw in 139 and visit Eagle lake in the NE, and do all the roads in NE to avoid I5. I discovered the Fossil Beds NM this summer, it is pretty neat and has both no fee BLM and USFS CG's in the area-but I would really check the weather out first, some of those roads methinks could be interesting with some snow and ice.

Smoke

[clikrf8]

Actually, 299 from Redding to where it meets 101 is worse. I liked 299 from NV/CA border to Redding. It was scenic and we stayed at a very photogenic campground (BLM Pit River) which was the only one open in early November. Fall color and small twin waterfalls and we had it all to ourselves. $4.

I will check out your info and possibilities and add it it to coming or going. California is a beautiful state. It does have a lot to offer if you forget about LA. I have a nephew near Sacramento and a cousin in Riverside area. Also, have a wonderful neighbor whose family was grandfathered in to some land in or near Yosemite. He bought out relatives and is building a large cabin, I am not sure of the location )near Mariposa?) but it cost a lot of money to bring in the cement trucks. He said whenever we were in the area to let him know and he would give us directions. It would be a nice base from which to explore Yosemite.

Thanks for all your help and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We are retired so have lots of years, we hope.

[craig333]

299 is nowhere near as bad as 36 or 32. 89 past lassen is out. Its one of the first roads that close once the snow falls. Some geographical oddity there.