Northern California

Red Bluff - California

After our enjoyable stay in Sacramento, we once again  headed up the road. In this case, I 5 to the Northern CA town of Red Bluff. We had located a US Forest Campground, Sycamore  Grove Campground, on Recreation.Gov that would provide reasonable accommodations (50 AMP and water) for $15/ night. We arrived after a 150 mile drive from Sacramento early afternoon and setup camp. Site 11 was ours for the next 9 days and it turned out to be a very nice location. For most of the stay we were the only rig in any of the 5 sites close by! The dogs had grass and a very large Oak Tree to lie beneath while Cindy and I spent several days reading beneath it. The Sacramento River was within 100 yards of us and the town of Red Bluff just a couple of miles away. Numerous walking and biking trails wove through the park and we did quite a bit of walking and biking. Of the 31 campsites at Sycamore, 8 had water and electric while the remainder were dry camping sites.

Great Sites - Great Prices!

Red Bud just across from our rig

one of several trails from campsite

This stay was to hang out in some mild weather and catch a few sights. Looking at the weather forecasts, we would have to put off the hanging out for a day if we wanted to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. It snows there for months on end and from our campground, we could look to the east 50 miles and see its snow capped peaks rising up above the foothills. Annual snowfalls aver 40 ft!! and there was a major storm heading for the region that could add to that snow pack starting in two days after our arrival at Red Bluff. The National Park Service message stated the Southwest entrance to the Visitor Center was the only road open in the park ( which was the one closest to us). So, early the next morning, we went back to jeans, flannel shirts and heavy coats, packed a lunch and loaded Cooper and CJ into the Jeep and headed out CA 36 to LVNP. The drive took us from the 300 ft elevation of Red Bluff to the 6000 ft + of LVNP!. Again we climbed through several types of environment and ended in the large conifer forest of Lassen. A beautiful drive and not quite as twisty, cliff hanging experience of some of our previous climbs to similar elevations. Although they were foothills and we had driven through foothills several other places, they are always different - different flora and rock types to observe.

cattle on foothills ranch

foothills on the way to LVNP- different in appearance to on the way to Sequoia and Yosemite

Once again it was well worth the drive! Upon arrival ( hardly anyone there this time of the year) we hit the Visitor Center Gift Shop and then viewed the 20 minute movie on the Park. Fascinating area with volcanic activity as recent as 1915-16!!. Although we were unable to hike out to the mud pots and see down into the craters, we could see the major peaks formed by the volcanic activity. This would be a nice destination in June or July for a 2-3 days stay.

snow getting deeper as we entered the Park - not far to go 

snow stakes for removal, Visitor Center in background

orange guide had fallen and snow coming - put it back n place

40' plus annual snow = serious removal equipment!!

volcanic peaks in background!

It was still late morning as we returned to town and we continued on up North above Redding, CA and Mt Shasta. The weather was becoming quite overcast and Shasta was not presenting a good picture. (We'll try to remedy that in a few days) However, we exited the Interstate at Shasta Lake and headed out to the 2nd largest dam in the US, Shasta Dam. Built during the 1930's, this dam provides water, flood control and electricity for the central valley and Bay Area, as well as recreation for the region. The numerous orchards, fields, vineyards and ranches of the area are possible due to this behemoth and all that it provides. We viewed the film (excellent) as we were too late to catch the last tour of the day and then walked out onto the dam to get a close-up view. 75 years old and beautiful! Truly an amazing accomplishment.

Shasta Dam - 2nd largest in the US - Lake Shasta behind it

Cindy on top of Dam - 500 ft high - power plant lower left 5 turbines

tubes feeding turbines on right

orchards like these possible because of Shasta Dam

The next two days brought rain, although not in a torrential downpour. Walking wet dogs, movie watching and lots of reading ( I am re-reading Stephen Ambrose Undaunted Courage - the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition) consumed our time until the sun returned Saturday morning with a flourish and we proceeded to spend the next two days lounging outside in shorts and t shirts once again. We had picked up some pamphlets at the small nature center and got educated in some local unique items - The Valley Oak and Yellow Billed Magpie.

Valley Oak just out from our Campsite - quite large

The Valley Oaks are quite massive and would remind you of a Swiss Family Robinson treehouse tree. The Magpies are fun to observe, but elusive and with only an iPhone to take pictures, a distant shot was the best we can offer.

Yellow Billed Magpie nests - about 2-3 ft in diameter

bad picture of Magpie

Red Bluff is the site of a large regional rodeo, but we will be leaving town a week before it arrives. We vow to catch a rodeo later on this trip and will of course bring that to you!

snow capped Lassen 50 miles away

Poppies

Western Blue Bird ion top of sign

take care

Cooper and CJ