Looking east from U.S. 97 between Grass Lake Summit and Weed, Mount Shasta (elevation 14,162 feet above sea level) dominates the view. Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 is a major north-south U.S. highway in the Pacific Northwest, but it only has a short section in northern California. The federal route begins at Interstate 5 (Old U.S. 99) in Weed, then continuing northeasterly into Oregon near Dorris, passing through several small towns along the way. The route becomes more important as it continues north, serving the cities of Klamath Falls, Bend, Madras, and Biggs in Oregon and Yakima and Wenatchee in Washington. In the 1950s, plans called for U.S. 97 to be commissioned in Alaska at the northern end of the Alaska Highway if the Canadian territory of Yukon decided to renumber its section of Alaska Highway as Yukon 97. The territory refused to do this, so U.S. 97 was never extended into Alaska. Nevertheless, in California, U.S. 97 remains a relatively minor route even though it is one of the three survivors of the 1964 California U.S. Highway Purge that did not have its routing altered in that tumultuous year (the others being U.S. 95 and U.S. 199). U.S. 6, 50, 101, and 395 were each curtailed to some degree as a result of the 1964 legislation, but they retained at some (or most) of their mileage in the Golden State.
U.S. 97 and Business Loop I-5 (South Weed Boulevard) north
The first Business Loop I-5 shield assembly after the Interstate 5 Exit 747 interchange omits any mention of U.S. 97 north, even though the two routes share this alignment north into at this intersection. Continue north on Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97 into downtown Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Business Loop I-5 meets U.S. 97 at this intersection. From here, U.S. 97 turns right toward Klamath Falls, while the business route continues north along California 265 through downtown Weed (returning to Interstate 5 at Exit 748). California 265 is conspicuously unsigned here, and there are no California 265 mileposts along its concurrent stretch with Business Loop I-5 either. Photo taken by Jerry Mullady, 03/99.
This signs on northbound Business Loop I-5 shows the split for U.S. 97 north to Klamath Falls. This marks the southern terminus of California 265, which continues north from here to rejoin Interstate 5. It is such a short route that there are no California 265 shields. Photos taken by Jerry Mullady, 03/99.
U.S. 97 north
A U.S. 97 north reassurance shield is posted prior to the Mount Shasta Vista Point south of Grass Lake Summit. Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 shield at Mount Hebron, about 14 miles south of the Oregon-California State Line. Photo taken by Dominic Ielati, 10/01.
Northbound U.S. 97 at Junction California 161 (State Line Road), which leads east to connect to California 139 (and Oregon 39) north of Tulelake. This scenic route passes through Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Refuge along the way. Photo taken by Dominic Ielati, 10/01.
A final California style U.S. 97 cutout shield is posted after the California 161 intersection and before entering the state of Oregon. Photo taken 04/01/05.
The Oregon state line lies just one quarter mile north of the U.S. 97 junction with California 161 (State Line Road) near Dorris. A set of California postmiles reside at the state line. The paddles references "U.S. 97 - Oregon - Ahead" to the left and "U.S. 97 - SIS (Siskiyou), Milepost 54.09 - Back." This is a typical California arrangement of postmiles at the state line in Caltrans District 2. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Shortly thereafter, an "Oregon Welcomes You" sign is located on U.S. 97 north. Continue north on U.S. 97 into Oregon to Klamath Falls. Photo taken 04/01/05.
A set of paddles distinguish the official state line crossing of U.S. 97 southbound from Klamath County, Oregon into Siskiyou County, California. The first milepost references 54.09 miles north of the U.S. 97 southern terminus at junction Interstate 5 in Weed. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Welcome to California and Siskiyou County guide signs posted at the state line with Oregon. U.S. 97 descends quickly to meet the western terminus of California 161 (State Line Road) near Indian Lake and Dorris. Photo taken 04/01/05.
The first intersection along U.S. 97 south in California is the junction with California 161/State Line Road east to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and the city of Tulelake (via California 139 south). Photo taken 04/01/05.
After the California 161 intersection, the first cutout U.S. 97 reassurance shield appears on southbound. From here, U.S. 97 will continue southwest toward Dorris. Photo taken 04/01/05.
A typical agricultural inspection station regulatory sign is posted shortly thereafter. This is impossible to read at 55 miles per hour. The inspection station itself is located just south of Dorris. Photo taken 04/01/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Dorris (three miles), Weed (53 miles), and San Francisco (357 miles via U.S. 97 south, Interstate 5 south, Interstate 505 south, and Interstate 80 west). Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 enters the sprawling Butte Valley. The speed limit reduces to 40 miles per hour upon entering the Dorris urban area. Photo taken 04/01/05.
The city of Dorris (population 886 as of the 2000 Census, elevation 4,240 feet above sea level) is the northernmost California city along the U.S. 97 corridor. The tallest flagpole west of the Mississippi River (200 feet tall) is located here (you can see the flag pole to the left of the wooden power line tower in this photo), and the city is the gateway to multiple outdoor recreational opportunities (including Mount Shasta, Lava Beds National Monument, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, and Upper and Lower Klamath Lakes). Photo taken 04/01/05.
Once in town, U.S. 97 makes a left turn from First Street onto southbound Main Street. Mileages are provided to Macdoel (11 miles), Weed (51 miles), and Redding (128 miles). Photo taken 04/01/05.
The "Tallest Flagpole west of the Mississippi" comes into view again as U.S. 97 travels south through downtown Dorris on Main Street. Toward the south end of downtown Dorris, U.S. 97 makes a left turn from Main Street onto Fourth Street (not shown). Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 makes another 90-degree turn, this time turning left (south) from Fourth Street onto South Butte Street. Photo taken 04/01/05.
A U.S. 97 south reassurance shield assembly is posted on South Butte Street as the U.S. highway leaves Dorris. Photo taken 04/01/05.
All commercial and truck traffic on U.S. 97 south must stop for the State of California Agricultural Inspection Station. Photo taken 04/01/05.
In our experience from the 1990s, most agricultural inspection stations stopped all traffic. More recently, that has shifted to only commercial and truck traffic. Photo taken 04/01/05.
The State of California Agricultural Inspection Station is located on the west side of U.S. 97. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Another U.S. 97 south reassurance shield is posted after the State of California Agricultural Inspection Station. Majestic Mount Shasta comes into view across the Butte Valley; the mountain will be visible for the remainder of U.S. 97's southbound journey to Weed. Photo taken 04/01/05.
After traveling through the Butte Valley (with limited side streets), U.S. 97 approaches Macdoel and more development. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Snow-covered Mount Shasta remains in view as U.S. 97 approaches the unincorporated area of Macdoel (population 140 as of the 2000 Census, elevation 4,264 feet above sea level). Situated near Juniper Knoll (elevation 4,568 feet above sea level), Macdoel is located toward the south end of Butte Valley and near the west end of Red Rock Valley. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Upon leaving Macdoel, a mileage sign on U.S. 97 south provides the distance to Weed, Redding, and San Francisco. Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 leaves Butte Valley and ascends to Mount Hebron Summit (elevation 5,202 feet above sea level). The uphill section has three lanes, with a climbing lane for southbound. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Nearing the summit, U.S. 97 enters the Klamath National Forest. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Reaching Mount Hebron Summit (elevation 5,202 feet), U.S. 97 south loses its climbing lane and begins to descend toward Grass Lake. Photo taken 04/01/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Weed (28 miles), Mount Shasta (36 miles), and Redding (98 miles). Photo taken 04/01/05.
A U.S. 97 reassurance shield is posted shortly therefore at postmile 27.50. Photo taken 04/01/05.
A rest area with facilities is located near Grass Lake at the base of the Mount Hebron Summit. From here, U.S. 97 will again climb, this time to Grass Lake Summit (elevation 5,101 feet above sea level). Photo taken 04/01/05.
Since U.S. 97 is generally traveling southwest at this point, Deer Mountain (elevation 7,006 feet above sea level) dominates the view to the south. As U.S. 97 starts to leave this valley, Mount Shasta will again come into view on southbound. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Mount Shasta (elevation 14,162 feet above sea level) comes into view on again U.S. 97 south. Up ahead is Grass Lake Summit. Photos taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 reaches the Grass Lake Summit (elevation 5,101 feet above sea level). From here, the U.S. highway will continue its descent toward Weed, which sits at an elevation of 3,467 feet above sea level. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Descending from Grass Lake Summit, U.S. 97 approaches a vista point for a spectacular view of Mount Shasta. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Approaching the Vista Point, U.S. 97 will now travel due south toward Mount Shasta. Photos taken 04/01/05.
Traveling south, Mount Shasta dominates the view. It almost looks like U.S. 97 will travel to the base of the mountain and then climb up it from this vantage point. Photo taken 04/01/05.
This U.S. 97 south reassurance shield assembly is located after the vista point. Mount Shasta makes a compelling backdrop for the shield. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Deer Mountain Road east to the snow park. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Before turning southwest, U.S. 97 takes one last glance at Mount Shasta. From here, views of the volcano can be seen by looking east (left side) from U.S. 97. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Junction Siskiyou County Route A-12 (99-97 Cutoff Road), which travels west to Interstate 5 at Grenada via Big Springs. This road has a name that harkens back to Interstate 5's original designation, U.S. 99. This connector allows for the best route to Interstate 5 and the Siskiyou County seat in Yreka. Photo taken 04/01/05.
As U.S. 97 travels southwest toward Weed, Mount Shasta remains in view. With the clouds parting, the mountain looks majestic in late afternoon sunshine. Photo taken 04/01/05.
The Scott Mountains and the Eddys (Mount Eddy) come into view on southwestbound U.S. 97. The city of Weed and Interstate 5 and U.S. 99 sit at the base of this mountain chain. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Junction Siskiyou County Route A-28 (Big Springs Road) north to Lake Shastina, and Big Springs. The signed county route ends at Siskiyou County Route A-12 (99-97 Cutoff Road) in Big Springs. Photo taken 04/01/05.
A second trailblazer shield is posted as U.S. 97 south meets Siskiyou County Route A-28. Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 enters the city of Weed, which was incorporated as a general law city on January 25, 1961, and was home to 2,978 people as of the 2000 Census. Weed consists of 4.8 square miles of area and sits at an elevation of 3,467 feet above sea level. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Entering an urban area for the first time since leaving Dorris, southbound U.S. 97 approaches Lincoln Street. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Entering downtown Weed, southbound U.S. 97 approaches Junction Business Loop I-5, Old U.S. 99, and California 265 (Main Street). The junction sign only shows Interstate 5, and it advises northbound traffic to turn right onto Business Loop I-5 and California 265. Southbound traffic is advised to turn left onto Business Loop I-5 and the continuation of U.S. 97 south. Photo taken 04/01/05.
U.S. 97 makes the left turn onto southbound Main Street. A trailblazer for U.S. 97 is posted at this intersection, but it is the last southbound U.S. 97 shield. There is no END shield present. Photo taken 04/01/05.
Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97 (South Weed Boulevard) south
Leaving downtown Weed, this sign assembly advises of the interchange between South Weed Boulevard (Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97) and Interstate 5 at Exit 747. It is a matter of semantics as to whether U.S. 97 actually ends at California 265/Business Loop I-5 in downtown Weed or if it ends at Interstate 5 itself. Legislative Route 97 meets Interstate 5, so that is the southern endpoint for U.S. 97, so Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97 merge for the southern half of the Weed Business Loop; however, the signage does not always show this shared alignment (especially on southbound U.S. 97). This picture shows the intersection of Weed Boulevard and U.S. 97. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This view shows southbound Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard passing under Interstate 5 en route to the College of the Siskiyous. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Southbound Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard approaches the ramp to Interstate 5 south to Redding. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Turn left from Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard south onto Interstate 5 south to Redding. Continue straight ahead to the College of the Siskiyous and southern Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Scenes Pertaining to U.S. 97
At the Mount Shasta Vista Point, this plaque provides information about Mount Shasta, including some staggering statistics about it. Mount Shasta is the second tallest peak in the Cascade Range, and five named glaciers are permanently located on its slopes. The mountain last erupted in 1786, and the volcano is considered likely to erupt again (but no one knows when any eruption may occur). Photo taken 04/01/05.
As a recent storm departs the region, the vista point sat under clouds, while Mount Shasta towered over the valley. Photo taken 04/01/05.
And so, looking south from U.S. 97 between 99-97 Cutoff Road (Siskiyou County Route A-12) and Big Springs Road (Siskiyou County Route A-29) is this incredible view of one of California's tallest peaks: Mount Shasta. Photos taken 04/01/05.
These signs are found at the offramp from Interstate 5 south at Exit 747, Junction Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 (Weed Boulevard) and U.S. 97 north to Klamath Falls. Photos taken by Jerry Mullady, 03/99.
