RIDING CONDITIONS

The Klamath Mountains Loop begins and ends at the Ashland Plaza in downtown Ashland, Oregon. Home to Southern Oregon University and the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland is a vibrant small town with plentiful services and accommodations, making it an ideal starting point. Cyclists flying into nearby Medford can access the route via the Medford Airport Spur, which links the airport terminal to Ashland along the Bear Creek Greenway.

Ashland, Oregon. Photo by David Wood under the Creative Commons BY 2.0 license.

The route begins with a bang as it climbs south on gravel roads toward Mount Ashland through the scenic Ashland Watershed. Home to more than 53 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, the area is internationally recognized for its natural beauty and remarkable biodiversity. For 6.6 miles between the White Rabbit Trailhead and the Bull Gap Trailhead, the route is gated and closed to vehicles, offering a peaceful, car-free ascent through the forest. Riders interested in exploring the many local singletrack trails can download the free Ashland Municipal Watershed Trails digital map on Avenza: advcy.link/ashlandwatershed. Please note that cycling on any part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is strictly prohibited.

A brief return to pavement brings you to Mount Ashland and its namesake ski area. If the weather is clear, look to the southeast for your first glimpse of Mount Shasta, rising to 14,179 feet in the distance. This dormant volcano is the second-highest peak in the Cascade Range and a defining landmark across the region.

Mount Shasta. Photo by Frank Schulenburg under the Creative Commons BY 2.0 license.

For the next 38 miles, the route traverses the Siskiyou Crest, a major east-west chain of peaks dividing the Rogue River drainage to the north from the Klamath River drainage to the south. This extraordinary landscape sits at the intersection of the Cascades and Klamath Ranges with influences from both coastal Oregon and the more arid interior, resulting in remarkable botanical diversity with many rare and endemic plant species. Open glades, wet and dry meadows, rocky montane chaparral, fields of wildflowers, and stands of stunted conifers provide incredible scenery along the way.

Atop these high-elevation ridges, snowfields can linger well into June, making the route impassable earlier in the year. Several springs and small streams can be found along this stretch and are marked on the map, but it’s recommended that you filter all water due to cattle grazing in the area. The three-mile climb between Siskiyou Gap and Wrangle Gap is noticeably steeper and rougher than the surrounding terrain. Strong riders may be able to pedal it continuously, but many will likely dismount and walk short sections.

Seiad Valley is a small resupply town shared with hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. This is also where riders first meet the mighty Klamath River, recently recognized as California’s longest undammed river following the completion of one of the world’s largest dam-removal projects in 2024. For the next 57 miles, the route follows CA Highway 96 as it winds through the canyon carved by this powerful river. The Klamath and several of its tributaries were designated within the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1981 and are popular for paddling and fishing. There are several river access points along the route for wading and swimming, but caution is advised. The Klamath River is known to have dangerous undercurrents, even where the surface appears calm. Shoulders are narrow along much of this stretch, but the lanes are wide and traffic is typically light.

The mighty Klamath River. Photo by Gernot Bartels.

Happy Camp is the main resupply town in the area and the headquarters of the Karuk Tribe. This small community (pop. 905) has all the basic services and is the last true town on the route until Etna, 128 miles away. It is recommended to lock your bike when leaving it unattended.

At Somes Bar, the route departs CA Highway 96 and the Klamath River to begin its journey upstream along the Salmon River, a major tributary of the Klamath. Salmon River Road continues as a two-lane road for 7.5 miles before narrowing to a single-lane paved road that clings to the canyon walls. Traffic is very light, but there is significant exposure, sharp blind turns, and occasional vehicles, so it is imperative to stay alert.

Salmon River Road clings to the canyon walls above the river. Photo by Gernot Bartels.

At Forks of Salmon, the route splits to follow both the North and South Forks of the Salmon River. The main route ascends the North Fork to Sawyers Bar, then turns south for an incredible gravel climb and descent over Blue Ridge. From Sawyers Bar, riders may also choose to take the Etna Summit Alternate, a fully paved but very steep shortcut to Etna. The South Fork Alternate offers the path of least resistance to Etna, though it is longer overall and still includes a significant climb over Carter Meadows Summit after rejoining the main route at Sixmile Creek. This alternate is also fully paved.

Continuing along the main route, Sawyers Bar Road between Forks of Salmon and Sawyers Bar remains a narrow, one-lane shelf road carved into the canyon wall above the river. The tiny former gold-mining community of Sawyers Bar offers no services. From here, the route turns south and climbs steeply up Eddy Gulch to Blue Ridge, where placer mines in the mid-1800s produced more than 150,000 ounces of gold. Blue Ridge awards the effort with sweeping scenery and 360° views of the Salmon Mountains, Marble Mountains, and Trinity Alps. For an even more impressive vantage point, climb an additional mile to Eddy Gulch Lookout, a lonely fire tower perched atop a lofty 6,483-foot summit. The route traverses the ridge for a few miles before switchbacking down to meet the South Fork of the Salmon River at Sixmile Creek.

Incredible views atop Blue Ridge. Photo by Gernot Bartels.

The route returns to pavement for three miles before detouring onto Carter Meadows Road, a scenic yet bumpy dirt road with opportunities for both dispersed and designated Forest Service camping. For a smoother ride, riders can opt to stay on paved Cecilville Road, though there will be some light traffic. The climb peaks at Carter Meadows Summit, where the PCT intersects the route once again. From the summit, all that hard work is rewarded with a fast, 3,000-foot descent into the town of Callahan.

Carter Meadows Road. Photo by Gernot Bartels.

Somewhat of a ghost town today, Callahan was once a significant stop along the California-Oregon Stage Road. The Callahan Ranch Hotel, built in 1854, stands as a testament to that era and is currently a private residence. Across the street, the Callahan Emporium, originally a hotel, now operates as a convenience store and bar with food and live music. Adjacent to the Emporium is an old Wells Fargo building built from stone, its windows still covered by iron shutters.

Beginning in Callahan, riders will become acquainted with a new river, the Scott. The first five miles of the Scott River are scarred by extensive dredge tailings from Callahan’s gold mining era between 1900 and 1930. Beyond this stretch, the landscape becomes more pastoral as the route passes several historic ranches. Enjoy the flat, smooth, low-traffic ride while gazing west at the rugged mountains recently crossed. The vibrant town of Etna, another PCT resupply town, offers a welcome stop with a full range of services.

Leaving Etna, the route continues north through Scott Valley, passing farmland and picturesque ranch homes. The small town of Fort Jones provides basic services and is home to the main ranger station for the Scott/Salmon Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest.

The first several miles of Scott River Road pass through more farmland until the valley narrows into a timbered canyon slicing between the Marble Mountains and Scott Bar Mountains. The road also narrows to a single lane, so stay alert for oncoming traffic.

Near the tiny community of Hamburg, the Scott River reaches its end and riders return once again to the Klamath, this time riding upstream alongside the river. CA Highway 96 has no shoulders but carries low traffic, and Walker Road provides a respite from the highway for seven miles. Five miles after the Walker Road turnoff, McKinney Creek crosses Walker Road. During times of high water the road can become flooded and impassable. Do not attempt to cross if water is flowing across the road. Back on CA Highway 96, Quigley’s Station is the last resupply before climbing back across the Siskiyou Crest and returning to Ashland.

A misty ride through the trees. Photo by Gernot Bartels.

Leaving the Klamath River and the highway behind, the route makes its final major climb toward Toll Road Gap on Beaver Creek Road. The surface starts as pavement and fades to gravel as it climbs and then skirts the southern face of the Siskiyou Crest. From Toll Road Gap back to Ashland, the route is paved and almost entirely downhill. OR Highway 273, also known as Old Highway 99, was once the primary route through this corridor until it was replaced by Interstate 5 in 1957. This historic road provides a delightful, winding descent through the forest, even looping back under itself in an uncommon traffic pattern. Upon reaching OR Highway 66, the terrain levels and the surrounding hills transition into open slopes dotted with oaks trees. Traffic increases as the route travels past Emigrant Lake and into the outskirts of Ashland.

To bypass this final stretch of pavement, riders can climb back up to the Crest on either gravel Forest Road 40S11 or paved Mount Ashland Road to backtrack through the Ashland Watershed into town.

CLIMATE

Summer mornings in Ashland are typically cool and dry, quickly warming into clear, hot afternoons characteristic of the Rogue Valley’s Mediterranean climate. As the climb begins up the Siskiyou Crest toward Mount Ashland, temperatures drop noticeably with elevation. Even in midsummer, riders will encounter crisp mountain air and the possibility of a passing afternoon thunderstorm. Early-season travelers may find lingering snowfields along the crest.

Descending off the high country into Seiad Valley and Happy Camp, the climate shifts dramatically. These deep canyons along the lower Klamath River are some of the hottest locations in northern California, characterized by intense summer heat, dry air, and exposed stretches that radiate warmth well into the evening.

Turning upstream at Somes Bar, the temperatures remain high but cool slightly as the route gradually climbs. The narrower tributary canyons of the Salmon River are still hot in summer, but offer more shade, cooler creek valleys, and a higher likelihood of afternoon cloud build-up.

The climb over Blue Ridge and Carter Meadows Summit returns riders to higher-elevation conditions. The air becomes thinner, cooler, and temperatures swing more dramatically between midday highs and evening lows. Weather can shift quickly here, with late-afternoon thunderstorms occurring more frequently.

Dropping into the Scott Valley toward Etna, the route settles into the warm, dry, agricultural valley lying in the rain shadow of the mountains to the west. Summers are typically hot but less extreme than in the lower Klamath canyons, with reliably clear skies and occasional breezy afternoons as air drifts down from the surrounding peaks.

The final climb toward Toll Road Gap brings riders back into a mountain environment where temperatures cool and forests deepen. Weather can be unpredictable at the pass, especially early or late in the season, with fog, wind, or brief showers possible even during otherwise stable conditions. From the crest, the descent back toward Ashland returns riders to the Rogue Valley’s dry, warm, basin.

PUBLIC LANDS & CAMPING

This route travels extensively on public land within the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Klamath National Forests administered by the US Forest Service (USFS). There is an abundance of established campgrounds along the route, ranging from reservable sites with RV hookups and showers, to first-come-first-serve sites with fire rings and pit toilets. Campgrounds are open seasonally and open/close dates will vary. Contact Ranger Districts to confirm status, especially in the shoulder season. To make reservations or get more information on individual US Federal campgrounds, call 877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov.

In addition to established campgrounds, it is legal to camp on USFS land for free following the guidelines found here: advcy.link/dispersecamp.

REMOTE RIDING CONDITIONS

Many wild, remote stretches exist along this route. High temperatures, lofty elevations, wild animals, inclement weather (including lightning storms, snowstorms, and extremely strong winds), wildfires, and other potential hazards are plentiful. Understand in advance how to prepare for and cope with them.

Piped water sources tend to be limited, so replenish your supplies whenever the opportunity presents itself. A high-quality water treatment setup should be on your equipment list. Plenty of surface water can be found along the route, but it should be ingested only after running it through a good water filter or using a chemical treatment.

Pack along bug repellent, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit. Carry bicycle tools, a tire pump, and spare tubes. Be prepared for any possibility.

Most of this route is in black bear country. Always be bear-aware, and follow these rules when camping (these will help ward off other unwanted visitors too, such as raccoons and mice):

• Store all food, garbage, and other attractants in a bear-resistant manner, well away from your tent. This can include hanging them in a stuff sack from rope slung over a high, isolated tree branch, or storing them in a bear-proof container provided at campgrounds.
• Attractants such as food leftovers, fish entrails, and bacon grease should not be buried or burned in campfires. Leftover food and waste should be placed in a sealed bag or container and packed out with garbage. If leftover food or other attractants must be burned, do so in a contained cookstove or in an appropriate container over a campfire, then pack out the ash.

We discourage you from attempting to ride this route solo; in fact, a minimum group size of three is strongly recommended. If a rider is debilitated in the backcountry, you will want to have at least one person to stay with the injured/sick rider, and another to go for help. Be aware that cell phone reception is very spotty along much of the route, and it is recommended to carry a satellite phone in case of emergency.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As we travel by bicycle through these lands, we pause to reflect on our relationship with this place. We ride with respect and honor for the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded these mountains, forests, and waters since time immemorial. We commit to caring for this land by staying on paths, leaving no trace, and listening to the wisdom of the Indigenous peoples, including the Shasta, Karuk, Modoc, Takelma, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Grand Ronde, and others who call these territories home. May your journey be guided by respect, gratitude, and responsibility.