Directions to the Salmon River

wild deer photographed in the wilds of northern california, not far from crater lake national park, the rogue umpqua scenic byway, offering the wild and scenic rogue river, waterfalls and hiking trails.

Shorcut directions for accessing the Salmon River:

Begin at Somes Bar on the Klamath River and travel upstream
or begin at Etna, California and travel downstream.

Traveling downstream from Etna California: Etna is located southeast of Yreka. Traveling from I - 5 take CA hwy 3 from Yreka. Fort Jones is a nice community. Stop and look around if you like, but your goal is farther down Hwy 3. When you get into Etna, turn onto Main Street and follow it out of town where it turns into Sawyers Bar Road. From there you follow a creek. I always thought the creek was named Russian Creek, but I think I am mistaken, and it's called Etna Creek. Whatever the name, I've got you covered with both of them. Sawyers Bar Road follows Russian/Etna Creek until it connects with the south fork of the Salmon River at Sawyers Bar. Sawyers Bar is a wonderful community. PLan on spending some time there. If you want to see more of the Salmon, and believe me, it is a magnificent waterway, just continue driving. You'll cross the Salmon at the small community called Forks of the Salmon from there you can follow the Salmon downstream until it connects with the Klamath River at Somes Bar. The first time Brad and I took followed the Salmon we came from Hwy 96, as we were following the Klamath River. We turned off to follow the Salmon River upstream at Somes Bar. We took the north fork then, but after several trips, we have decided we like the south fork better. I wouldn't miss Sawyers Bar. It's reputed to be the oldest intact mining town in California. I don't know if that's true, but it's old. People still do look for gold in the river. :-)

Traveling upstream on the Salmon River: If you want to travel upstream on the Salmon River, you can connect on Hwy 96, which follows the Klamath River. Brad and I have traveled the length of the Klamath River from the mouth into Oregon more than once. We have taken the cutoff from Happy Camp and drove into Oregon that way several times, which means anyone who so desires can begin on Hwy 199, the Redwood Hwy, at the cutoff for Takilma and make your way through the mountains to the Klamath River, Hwy 96. From there you could turn left, following the Klamath to I - 5. You'd have to turn south on I - 5 to Yreka and follow the above stated directions if you chose this way. Otherwise, turn right and follow the Klamath River, Hwy 96, to Somes Bar and from there turn left to follow the Salmon River. If you decide to follow the north fork of the Salmon, it comes out at Callahan, another of California's old towns with character. From there you'd connect with Hwy 3 and follow it to Yreka if you wanted to connect with I -5. If you wanted to follow the south fork, that road will take you out to Etna and CA-3. Follow it to Yreka ... If you come from the Redwoods and the mouth of the Klamath River, turn right at Somes Bar to follow the Salmon River.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

deer in the wilds of northern california, salmon river, klamath river, scott river.

Forward ~ Extended Written Directions for those who want to experience a little more on their way to the Salmon River, includes more information.

Back ~ The might Klamath River in northern California.

Directions to and Day Trips in either Oregon or California of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Explore little known Scenic Places: hiking with and without hiking trails, birding trails, mountains, wilderness areas, river gorges, wetlands, national wildlife refuges and more near Crater Lake National Park and the retreat: Directions Map and Scenery. Local Maps Introduction.

Website Directory for the travel pages      Home Page

Page Listings to the travel pages

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

Directions to and Day Trips in either Oregon or California of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Explore little known Scenic Places: hiking with and without hiking trails, birding trails, mountains, wilderness areas, river gorges, wetlands, national wildlife refuges and more near Crater Lake National Park and the retreat: Directions Map and Scenery. Local Maps Introduction.

Website Directory for the travel pages      Home Page

Page Listings to the travel pages

wetlands at eagle ridge on klamath lake near gathering light ... a retreat in southern oregon near crater lake national park: cabins, treehouses in the forest on the river.

Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.