US97 in California

The southern end of US97 runs between the Oregon state line and the highway's junction with Interstate 5 at Weed in California.  Most of this section traverses open land with some parts devoted to agriculture.  There is also a small section that passes through the Klamath National Forest north of Weed.  There are scenic viewpoints north of Weed that include excellent views of Mount Shasta, especially in the early spring when the mountain has a heavy coat of snow.

State route CA161 runs eastward from US97 on the south side of the Oregon/California state line through the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.  This highway also passes to the north of the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge before it connects with CA139 north of the town of Tulelake identified for many years as a locale for the internment of American citizens of Japanese ancestry.

The highway passes through part of the Klamath National Forest where visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities throughout the year.

Close to the center of the California section of the highway are two passes exceeding 5,000 feet in elevation.  Weather and road conditions should be checked before negotiating these passes, especially between late fall and early spring.  The web sites maintained by the California Department of Transportation and the Western Region of the National Weather Service are excellent resources for checking conditions.

The Grass Lake rest area provides travelers with an opportunity to learn about the ecology of this area.  It occasionally presents opportunities to view local wildlife.

The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden, a short distance north of Weed, was created and is maintained by volunteer citizens who have done a commendable job in creating this simple, but poignant, tribute to veterans, especially those who made great sacrifices in the Vietnam and Korean Wars.   

Other web sites that offer information of interest to travelers along this route include those maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the California State Parks, California Division of Tourism and the California Historical Society.

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