Shortly thereafter, interstate 5 leaves Shasta County and enters Siskiyou County. The section of Interstate 5 from the county line north to the Sacramento River bridge in Dunsmuir was built in 1960. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 729, Business Loop I-5/Dunsmuir Avenue to Old U.S. 99 and the city of Dunsmuir. The business loop follows Dunsmuir Avenue through downtown Dunsmuir, then crosses under the freeway at Exit 730, and finally terminates at Interstate 5 Exit 732. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Historic downtown Dunsmuir is on the National Register of Historic Places. Dunsmuir received its name in 1886 after Alexander Dunsmuir from Canada who offered to give the town a water fountain if they would name the town after him. This fountain still exists and is located in the city park at Exit 730 west of Dunsmuir Avenue (Business Loop I-5/Old U.S. 99).1 Photo taken 03/31/05.
Rather than state "Route 5 Business Next Right," a Historic U.S. 99 trailblazer shield is posted along northbound Interstate 5 prior to Exit 729, Junction Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 99 to Dunsmuir. Massive Mount Shasta, with its dominating height and girth, controls the view of Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 729, Business Loop I-5/Dunsmuir Avenue to Old U.S. 99 and the city of Dunsmuir. Although Dunsmuir has its roots in the Union Pacific Railroad that passes through town, it is largely known today as a tourist destination, including its historic town center. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Upon exiting, another U.S. 99 historic trailblazer is posted. At the bottom of the ramp, merge right onto Dunsmuir Avenue northbound toward downtown. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 730, Junction Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 (Dunsmuir Avenue) to central Dunsmuir. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 enters the city of Dunsmuir, the southernmost city in Siskiyou County. The population of Dunsmuir was 1,923 people as of the 2000 Census, and consists of 1.8 square miles. The elevation is 2,347 feet above sea level. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Clouds began to form on Mount Shasta on this late spring day in anticipation of a storm that would impact the area on the next day. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 730, Junction Business Loop 5 and U.S. 99 to central Dunsmuir. All motorist services are available at each Dunsmuir exit. Photo taken 03/31/05.
After Exit 730, Interstate 5 again crosses the Sacramento River on this bridge, which was built in 1966. Old U.S. 99 and Business 5 follow Interstate 5 north on the west side of the freeway. The U.S. 99 concrete deck arch bridge over the Sacramento River was built in 1955 and widened in 1983. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 732, Siskiyou Avenue to Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 (Dunsmuir Avenue). In preparation for a long climb uphill, a third climbing lane is added to the northbound freeway. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 732, Siskiyou Avenue to Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 (Dunsmuir Avenue). This is the final exit for the city of Dunsmuir. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign after the north Dunsmuir interchange provides the distance to Mount Shasta City (six miles) and Portland, Oregon (369 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 734, Mott Road. Three northbound lanes continue as Interstate 5 gains elevation. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 734, Mott Road. The Dunsmuir Municipal Airport is located at this interchange northeast of the freeway. The portion of Interstate 5 was widened to three lanes in 1976. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Interstate 5 turns to the northwest to avoid Mount Shasta. At this point, all views of Mount Shasta are to the northeast of the freeway. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next two exits along Interstate 5 north are Exit 736, Junction California 89 east to McCloud and Exit 737, Junction Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 north to the city of Mount Shasta. Interstate 5 around the city of Mount Shasta was built in 1964, and the freeway from there north to Weed (Junction U.S. 97) was built in 1973. Photo taken 03/31/05.
California 89, a major north-south corridor connects Interstate 5 near Mount Shasta City with U.S. 395 near Topaz Lake via Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Tahoe. The state highway is mostly two lanes and connects some of the most scenic areas of Northern California. At Exit 736, California 89 travels due east to McCloud, then turns southeast toward Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 736, Junction California 89/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Highway east to McCloud. The next exit is Exit 737, Junction Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 north to the city of Mount Shasta. This set of porcelain enamel signs dates back to the freeway's opening in 1964. Note the Interstate 5 pull through sign, which has space for a U.S. 99 shield. The shield was removed at some point after the sign was placed, since a shadow of the shield can still be seen. The trumpet interchange for Exit 736 has connections to Business Loop I-5 (Exit 737). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next two exits (Exit 737/Business Loop I-4 and Exit 738/Junction Siskiyou County Route A-10/Lake Street) serve the city of Mount Shasta, which was home to 3,621 people as of the 2000 Census and sits at an elevation of 3,561 feet above sea level. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Consistent with the Dunsmuir interchange, a U.S. 99 historical trailblazer is posted prior to the business loop exit for Mount Shasta city. While the Mount Shasta city bypass (Interstate 5) was built in 1964, the section of Interstate 5 from the north Mount Shasta interchange to the city of Weed was built in 1973. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 737, Junction Business Loop I-5/South Mount Shasta Boulevard into downtown Mount Shasta. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Looking northeast from the freeway after the Exit 737 offramp is this view of downtown Mount Shasta and of its namesake mountain. Note the "M S" written on the antenna in the foreground. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted after Exit 737. In the distance is Black Butte (elevation 6,325 feet above sea level), which be on the horizon for Interstate 5 travelers for the next several miles as we bypass the city of Mount Shasta. The mileage sign provides the distance to Weed (nine miles) and Portland (364 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 738, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-10/Lake Street east and Hatchery Lane west to the Old Stage Road. Use Siskiyou County Route A-10 east into downtown Mount Shasta and to the Everitt Memorial Highway, which is one of the few paved highways to approach the slope of Mount Shasta. The upper sections of the road are closed in winter. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Upon passing under Ream Avenue, Interstate 5 enters the city limits of Mount Shasta. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A variety of services are located at Exit 738, including a ranger station, state highway patrol, hospital, national guard armory, and tourist information center. Additionally, all motorist services are available in the city of Mount Shasta. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Siskiyou Lake, which is located along the Upper Sacramento River, is located southwest of Interstate 5 via Hatchery Lane and WA Barr Road south. All recreation opportunities are available here. At this point, the common path shared by the Sacramento River and Interstate 5/U.S. 99 comes to an end. The Sacramento River has its official headwaters in Mount Shasta City Park, located northwest of downtown along Business Loop I-5/North Mount Shasta Boulevard. From this point, the river flows south into Siskiyou Lake (where various branches of the Sacramento River join with the nascent stream), then turns south to create a corridor for Interstate 5 south for approximately 400 miles. The two remain connected and intertwined until entering the California Delta region between the cities of Sacramento and Stockton. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 738, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-10/Lake Street east and Hatchery Lane west. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Mount Shasta remains in view to the east of Interstate 5. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Continuing north on Interstate 5, Black Butte dominates the view. Photo taken 03/31/05.
These bridges carry the railroad over Interstate 5 and also serve as the connection from Interstate 5 south to Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99 south into Mount Shasta city. There is no access to this interchange (Exit 740) from northbound. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 741, Abrams Lake Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 741, Abrams Lake Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A final view of Mount Shasta can be seen to the east of Interstate 5 after Exit 741, Abrams Lake Road. The freeway now bends to the northwest to skirt Black Butte, cross Black Butte Summit, and enter the city of Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Weed (five miles) and Portland (362 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 743, Summit Drive and Truck Village Drive. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Interstate 5 ascends to the top of Black Butte Summit (elevation 3,917 feet above sea level). This takes Interstate 5 out of the Sacramento River watershed and into the Klamath River and Shasta River watershed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 743, Summit Drive and Truck Village Drive. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next three exits serve the city of Weed: Exit 745, Junction Business Loop I-5/South Weed Boulevard and Vista Drive; Exit 747, Junction U.S. 97 north and Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard to downtown Weed; and Exit 748, Junction Business Loop I-5/California 265/North Weed Boulevard. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 745, Junction Business Loop I-5/South Weed Boulevard and Vista Drive. Old U.S. 99 follows the business route through town. Once again, the business route is not mentioned on the auxiliary signs. Photo taken 03/31/05.
An upcoming exits mileage sign is posted soon thereafter, with the distance to Exit 745, Junction Business Loop I-5/South Weed Boulevard and Vista Drive and Exit 747, Junction U.S. 97 north and Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard to downtown Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
All motorist serves are available as northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 745, Junction Business Loop I-5/South Weed Boulevard (Old U.S. 99) and Vista Drive. Photo taken 03/31/05.
After Exit 745, this Interstate 5 north reassurance shield is posted. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 747, Junction Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97 to downtown Weed. This exit marks the southern terminus of U.S. 97. This interchange is the first time Interstate 5 has intersected a U.S. highway since the U.S. 50 junction in downtown Sacramento. The next U.S. highway interchange will be U.S. 199 in Grants Pass, Oregon. The business route is cosigned with U.S. 97 for the southern half and with California 265 on the northern half. Note that the business route plate was removed sometime between 2000 and 2005 on the U.S. 97 advance sign. Photos taken 03/31/05 and by Jerry Mullady (3/00).
U.S. 97 is a major north-south route in the Pacific Northwest. Originating in Weed, U.S. 97 departs California on a northeasterly trajectory toward Klamath Falls, Oregon, then becomes part of a major north-south corridor toward a junction with U.S. 20 in Bend and eventually meeting Interstate 84/U.S. 30 east of The Dalles. Oregon hopes to expand U.S. 97 to four lanes for much of its route in that state. Upon crossing the Columbia River near Biggs, U.S. 97 eventually joins the Interstate 82 corridor near Yakima, Washington, then sets out toward the international border with Canada. U.S. 97 changes into British Columbia 97 upon entering the province of British Columbia, and the 97 designation continues north to Dawson Creek. At that point, British Columbia 97 follows the Alaska Highway, which plows northwest through the Yukon Territory and eventually reenters the United States in Alaska. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 747, Junction Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard north to downtown Weed and U.S. 97 north to Klamath Falls. The city of Weed 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 03/31/05.
At the base of the ramp from Exit 747 is this sign for Business Loop I-5/Weed Boulevard and U.S. 97 north. Turn left to the College of the Siskiyous, and turn right toward downtown Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This suite of photos shows the close-up of the "triangular" Business Loop I-5 and cut out U.S. 97 shields found at the base of the sign shown in the previous photobox. Photos taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 next reaches Exit 748, Junction Business Loop I-5/California 265 (Old U.S. 99/North Weed Boulevard) south to downtown Weed. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Yreka, the seat of Siskiyou County (24 miles) and the control city of Portland (355 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 751, Junction U.S. 99 ("Old 99 Highway") north to Gazelle and Edgewood Road north to Edgewood. This section of Interstate 5, from north Weed to south Yreka, was built in 1969. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A tall median barrier separates the two directions of traffic as Interstate 5 approaches Exit 751, Junction Old U.S. 99 north. This exit also serves Stewart Springs Road southwest to California 3 and the Trinity River via Parks Creek and Jackson Ranch Road northeast to Lake Shastina. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 751, Junction U.S. 99 ("Old 99 Highway") north to Gazelle and Edgewood Road north to Edgewood. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 753, Weed Airport Road to the Rest Area. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Exit 753, Weed Airport Road to the Rest Area. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Mount Shasta can again be seen to the southeast of the freeway, but it is no longer prevalent for motorists continuing north. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 753, Weed Airport Road to the Rest Area. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 759, Louie Road. Note the change in topography as Interstate 5 continues north: the forests of the Upper Sacramento River valley give way to sagebrush and shorter trees as Interstate 5 passes through the Shasta Valley. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 759, Louie Road. No services are available at this interchange. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 766, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-12/99-97 Cutoff Road east to Grenada, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-28/Montague-Granada Road north to Montague, and Junction U.S. 99 south to Gazelle and north along frontage road to Yreka. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A standalone trailblazer shield for Siskiyou County Route A-12 (99-97 Cutoff Road) is posted prior to Exit 766. Siskiyou County Route A-28 (Montague-Granada Road) does not have a similar trailblazer, nor does Historic U.S. 99. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 766, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-12/99-97 Cutoff Road east to Grenada, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-28/Montague-Granada Road north to Montague, and Junction U.S. 99 south to Gazelle and north along frontage road to Yreka. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Yreka (six miles) and Portland (334 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 770, Easy Street and Shamrock Road. Easy Street is old U.S. 99. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 770, Easy Street and Shamrock Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next three exits along Interstate 5 north serve the city of Yreka, the seat of Siskiyou County: Exit 773, Junction California 3 (Fort Jones Road) south and Business Loop I-5/U.S. 99/California 3 (Main Street) north; Exit 775, Miner Street/Center Street west and Foothill Drive east; and Exit 776, Junction California 3 (Montague Road) east to Montague, Business Loop I-5 south to Yreka, and California 263/State of Jefferson Scenic Byway (Old U.S. 99) north through the Shasta River Canyon. Photo taken 03/31/05.
California 3 (Fort Jones Road) travels southwest from this interchange to Fort Jones, then turns south through Scott Valley and over the Scott Mountains. At that point, California 3 leaves Siskiyou County and enters Trinity County, passing by massive Trinity Lake before meeting California 299 at the city of Weaverville. South of Weaverville, California 3 connects with Hayfork before ending at California 36 in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. From here north to Exit 776, California 3 follows the business route, but a bypass of Yreka is offered via Interstate 5 north. At Exit 776, California 3 turns due east to Montague, ending at the eastern city limits. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Situated at an elevation of 2,595 feet above sea level, Yreka (incorporated on April 21, 1857) contains approximately 12 square miles and receives about 17 inches of precipitation annually. This is far less rain and snowfall than is received areas along the coast such as Eureka and Crescent City. The Coast Range separates the coast from the Shasta River Valley, and this results in reduced rainfall in the rainshadow (as evidenced by the miles of rolling, treeless hills south of Yreka on Interstate 5). Yreka had a population of 7,290 at the 2000 Census. Yreka is the seat of Siskiyou County and was briefly considered the capital of the "state of Jefferson," which was a proposed new state that would have carved portions of Northern California and southern Oregon into a new state. The counties considered part of Jefferson in the original 1941 proposal (by Gilbert Gable, the mayor of Port Orford, Oregon) were the California counties of Del Norte, Modoc, and Siskiyou, and the Oregon counties of Curry, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath.2 Photo taken 03/31/05.
The College of the Siskiyous, which has a branch in Weed, also has a branch located in Yreka. The campus is located west of Interstate 5; follow Business Loop I-5/Main Street north, then turn west on Greenhorn Street. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Although there are several advance signs for Exit 773, none of them mention Business Loop I-5. The business route begins at Exit 773 and follows Old U.S. 99 (Main Street) north to Montague Road, then rejoins the freeway at Exit 776. Interestingly, a second business loop shield assembly is posted on Fairlane Road on the east side of Interstate 5, even though Fairlane Road is not the old alignment and does connect with Interstate 5 at either end. Use Exit 773 to the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds, which are located southeast of this interchange via Fairlane Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
As Interstate 5 enters the city of Yreka, the freeway splits with Exit 773, Junction California 3 southwest to Fort Jones and Etna and Junction Business Loop I-5 and California 3/Main Street north into downtown Yreka. The Yreka segment of Interstate 5 was built in 1970. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 775, Central Yreka. This exit connects to Miner Street westbound and Foothill Drive eastbound. Miner Street is part of a one-way couplet; the eastbound road is Center Street. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Use Miner Street west into downtown Yreka including the historical mining district. Yreka was founded after gold was found in Black Gulch ravine in 1851; while mining is not as prevalent today, the city early roots are still on display in the historical district. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 775, Miner Street west and Foothill Drive east. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 776, Junction California 3/Montague Road east to Montague and west to California 263/State of Jefferson Parkway north to the Shasta River Canyon. This interchange also serves as the northern terminus of Business Loop I-5 in Yreka; this is the final business route along the Interstate 5 corridor in California. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A standalone trailblazer for California 3 east is the only mention of the state highway served by Exit 776. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 776, Junction California 3/Montague Road east to Montague and west to California 263/State of Jefferson Parkway (U.S. 99) north to the Shasta River Canyon and Business Loop I-5/Main Street south to Yreka. Photo taken 03/31/05.
An Interstate 5 reassurance shield is posted after Exit 776. The next exit is almost ten miles ahead. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Exit 786, Junction California 96/State of Jefferson Scenic Parkway (nine miles) and the control city of Portland (322 miles). Photo taken 03/31/05.
Leaving the urban area of Yreka, Interstate 5 offers sweeping views of the Shasta Valley. Magnificent Mount Shasta can be seen to the southeast of the freeway. Photos taken 03/31/05.
Prior to crossing the Shasta River, the Anderson Grade comes into view. Interstate 5 will climb to the Anderson Grade Summit and then descend it before connecting with California 96/State of Jefferson Scenic Parkway (via Klamathon Road). Photo taken 03/31/05.
Interstate 5 crosses the Shasta River (bridge built in 1970), which is a tributary of the mighty Klamath River. The river begins on the northwest slope of Mount Shasta, travels north through Lake Shastina, then passes between Yreka and Montague through the Shasta Valley. After crossing Interstate 5, the Shasta River leads northwest into Shasta River Canyon before merging with the Klamath River. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This suite of photos follows Interstate 5 north as it ascends and crosses the Anderson Grade Summit (elevation 3,067 feet). While this is not the highest point of Interstate 5 in California, it is a locally high spot with steep elevation gains and some curves. Watch for slower vehicles in the right lane. Note the lack of median barrier. Photos taken 03/31/05.
The downgrade from Anderson Grade Summit is six percent, and it continues at this gradient for three miles after crossing the summit. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Only a slightly depressed median separates the two directions of Interstate 5 as we continue down the grade. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The final Rest Area along Interstate 5 north in California is located at Exit 786. This rest area serves both directions of Interstate 5 and is situated off of California 96/State of Jefferson Scenic Byway (Klamath River Highway). Photo taken 03/31/05.
A jersey barrier separates the two directions of Interstate 5 as we continue downhill. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 786, Junction California 96/State of Jefferson Scenic Byway. Use this exit for the rest area. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Visitor information and the Klamath River recreation area is located at Exit 786. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 786, Junction California 96/State of Jefferson Scenic Byway and Rest Area. California 96 is a north-south state highway that begins at Exit 786 and travels west along the Klamath River to Happy Camp, then turns south until ending at California 299 at Willow Creek. At Weitchpec, California 96 meets California 169, which is the location where the Klamath River and Trinity River merge together. The Klamath River follows California 169 northwest to the Pacific Coast near the town of Klamath (note: California 169 is unconstructed between Johnsons and Klamath Glen; it is unlikely this segment will ever be constructed). Photo taken 03/31/05.
At the gore point for Exit 786 is this unique exit number and rest area sign pair. Exit 786 is the final California state route interchange along Interstate 5 north. After crossing the Klamath River, Old U.S. 99 merges back onto the Interstate 5 freeway. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Interstate 5 crosses the Klamath River via this 1969 bridge at postmile R58.18 (bridge inventory number 02-0134R). The Klamath River is a 263-mile long river that originates in southern Oregon and travels on a winding path to the Pacific Ocean in northern California. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Looking northeast from the Klamath River bridge, the connector from California 96 east to Interstate 5 north on the north bank of the river comes into view. The interchange with California 96 is split into two halves: the southern ramps on the south bank of the Klamath River connect Interstate 5 with Klamathon Road, and the northern ramps are a high-speed, directional interchange. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Eastbound California 96 and northbound Interstate 5 prepare to merge at the end of this long directional ramp. Interstate 5 finishes crossing the fairly long Klamath River bridge. From this interchange north to the Oregon State Line, Interstate 5 was built in 1974. Photo taken 03/31/05.
An Interstate 5 reassurance shield is posted after clearing the California 96 interchange. U.S. 99 rejoins the freeway here after passing through Shasta River Canyon. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the Oregon cities of Ashland (27 miles) and Medford (40 miles). This is the first time either city appears on a California mileage sign, and it also marks a brief shift in control cities, since Portland does not appear on this mileage sign. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit on Interstate 5 north is Exit 789, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-28, Copco Road east to Henley and Hornbrook. This is the final signed county route along Interstate 5 north within the state of California. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A standalone trailblazer shield assembly for Siskiyou County Route A-28 is posted prior to Exit 789. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 789, Junction Siskiyou County Route A-28, Copco Road east to Henley and Hornbrook. The county route eventually turns south onto Ager Road en route to Montague. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit on Interstate 5 north is Exit 790, Hornbrook Highway east to Hornbrook and Ditch Creek Road west into ranchlands. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 790, Hornbrook Highway east to Hornbrook and Ditch Creek Road west. Photo taken 03/31/05.
This mileage sign along Interstate 5 provides the distance to Ashland (22 miles) and Portland (307 miles). Omitted this time is Medford. All three cities are in the state of Oregon. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The next exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 793, Bailey Hill Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 793, Bailey Hill Road. Photo taken 03/31/05.
The final California exit along Interstate 5 north is Exit 796, Hilt Road to the unincorporated community of Hilt. An extant but not traversable section of Old U.S. 99 is located at this exit. Photo taken 03/31/05.
A final California Interstate 5 reassurance shield is posted after the Hilt Road interchange. Photo taken 03/31/05.
Shortly thereafter, Interstate 5 leaves California (Siskiyou County) and enters the state of Oregon (Jackson County). The speed limit immediately reduces as Interstate 5 begins to climb to Siskiyou Summit, which is the highest point on Interstate 5 (elevation 4,310 feet above sea level). Photo taken 03/31/05.
Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 5
These Interstate 5 trailblazer shields are located at the unincorporated community of Gazelle in Siskiyou County along Old U.S. 99 (marked as "Old 99 Highway"). Photo taken by Joel Windmiller (01/07/02).
This is the rest area located at Exit 786 (California 96) near Yreka. The rest area serves both north and southbound Interstate 5 traffic as well as California 96, a north-south route known as the Jefferson Scenic Highway. This scenic highway designation is in reference to a once-proposed state of Jefferson. Locals in extreme northern California and southern Oregon once proposed to have been this new state carved from several counties in the region. This proposal is now dead. Photos taken by Jerry Mullady (03/99).
