Crossing Mountains

Mount Shasta, California to Klamath Falls, Oregon

Apr 26, 2025

It was a hard day yesterday; nothing that we hadn’t really expected. It was difficult nevertheless. Maybe the challenging stuff just started a little sooner than we had anticipated. This is certainly not a complaint. We are early enough along in this trip that even the difficult portions feel like great adventures.

Yesterday’s ride took us over an historic wagon route through the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon. The Topsy Grade is a steep and rough road which began as a Native American track, then an immigrant trail, and finally a Stagecoach and freight route. It was abandoned when the railroad, and subsequent auto route connected Klamath Falls to California. These days ATVs and some 4-wheel-drive vehicles are challenged by Topsy Grade. And some cyclists too! In our case the route was desolate and deserted… and glorious! We saw no people or vehicles on the road for 24 hours. We did see huge, beautiful vistas, wildflowers in abundance, and the newly freed and raging Klamath River in the canyon below. Storms boomed over the mountains. Thunder thumped our chests and cracked across the sky. Rain came down for hours. There were bear tracks along our path. The temperature dropped and we suffered wet and cold. Ok, we signed-up for this. Just a day in our long journey.

The week started nicely. We rode out our driveway early afternoon on Tuesday, April 22. From there we enjoyed an unexpectedly easy and pleasant ride to a sweet little campsite north of Weed, California. Most of this route was on gravel roads through the forest. There was rain in the night. The following day took us along old Highway 99. It was a brilliant Spring day. The road was gentle. Traffic was light and respectful; the surrounding countryside fresh and green. Sandhill cranes stood hidden from motorists, but on display for observant cyclists. Every old ranch house perfumed the air with blooming lilac. Our destination this day was the historic Montague Airport where we were graciously hosted by our friends Kathy and Vern. We enjoyed dinner with them in downtown Montague and slept at the airport.

It was sunny again the following day. However, it was a little scary knowing that we were heading onto the remote, mountainous roads with an unfriendly weather forecast. The morning ride was benign and beautiful, (just as the previous morning). Then the mountains did begin and the storms did come. And our adventure is underway!

Sats, (for those who care):

Day 1: 14.8 miles for the day / 14.8 total, 1140 ft ascent, 50% paved

Day 2: 24.7 miles for the day / 39.5 total, 226 ft ascent, 100% paved

Day 3: 33.4 miles for the day / 72.9 total 2303 ft ascent 60% paved

Day 4: 35.6 miles for the day / 108.5 total 2886 ft ascent 15% paved

Day 5: 0 miles for the day / 108.5 total 100 ft ascent, hotel stairs :-)