State Route 263
The historic Pioneer Bridge spans the Shasta River high above Shasta River Canyon along State Route 263 at post mile 55.10. - 05/25/2008
California 263 is a north-south state route that follows Historic U.S. 99 between Yreka and California 96, 13 miles south of the Oregon state line. The route passes through the Shasta River Canyon and provides a scenic alternative to Interstate 5. The route begins at the intersection of North Main Street and Montague Road, which is the junction with Business Loop I-5 and California 3 in Yreka. A series of historic bridges built in the late 1920s and early 1930s carry California 263 over the Shasta River.
North
Main Street northbound in northern Yreka. California 263 leaves the intersection with Business Loop I-5 and California 3 (Montague Road) and proceeds north along Historic U.S. 99 toward the Shasta River Canyon. The business loop does not continue north of Montague Road along Main Street.
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California 263 is mostly a two-lane rural highway north of Yreka; here the highway parallels Yreka Creek, a tributary to the Shasta River.
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Continuing north, California 263 sees only some limited development; this view is just south of the intersection with Hawkinsville Humbug Road. This road travels northeast to provide local and ranch access.
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California 263 descends toward the Shasta River.
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Soon thereafter, California 263 makes the first of several crossings over the Shasta River. Five bridges serve California 263; this first bridge over the Shasta River was built as part of U.S. 99 in 1928. This is a concrete tee beam structure.
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California 263 runs along the east side of Shasta River Canyon north to Dry Gulch. Gravel turnouts for slower traffic are available.
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California 263 next crosses Dry Gulch on a 1929 concrete arch bridge.
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The Dry Gulch Bridge is narrow, so there are no shoulders on this section of California 263 (Historic U.S. 99).
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This view looks north along California 263 just after the Dry Gulch Bridge.
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California 263 passes through a tight rock cut north of the Dry Gulch Bridge.
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Northbound California 263 prepares to cross the Pioneer Bridge, which carries California 263 and Old U.S. 99 over the Shasta River a second time. This historic deck truss (steel) bridge was built in 1931.
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Just like the Dry Gulch Bridge, the Pioneer Bridge over the Shasta River is narrow.
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While the Shasta River rides deep in the canyon below the state highway, Interstate 5 remains on a ridge well above the old highway and the river.
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Unlike the freeway, California 263 has some sharp twists and curves as it follows a ridge above the river.
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Postmiles along California 263 roughly approximate the Siskiyou County postmile markers for Interstate 5.
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A double concrete arch bridge carries California 263 over the third Shasta River bridge (built 1931).
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This bridge identification sign advises of the 1931 Shasta River bridge.
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A ranch is located in the canyon below the double arch bridge.
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This view looks at the Shasta River bridge as seen from the canyon floor looking up (west).
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Like the other Shasta River bridges of this vintage along California 263, the roadway has no shoulders.
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After the third Shasta River bridge, California 263 next approaches its final bridge and its ending junction with California 96.
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Soon thereafter, California 263 prepares to cross the Klamath River on its last bridge. This 1931 bridge is also a designated historic bridge.
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Northbound California 263 crosses the Klamath River just before reaching its intersection with California 96.
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California 263 ends at its junction with California 96. A long route that closely follows the Klamath River, California 96 travels west into the Siskiyou Mountains, then curves south along with the Klamath and Trinity Rivers until the state highway reaches its terminus at California 299 in Willow Creek.
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An end California 263 route marker is posted at the intersection with California 96. Notably, the transition between California 263 north to California 96 east is without a stop sign.
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California 96 is signed as the Klamath River Highway, but even California 96 does not follow the Klamath River all the way to the coast. California 96 curves south to follow the Trinity River, while the remaining section of the Klamath River heading toward the Pacific Ocean is paralleled by California 169. However, conditions have made road passage impossible for a segment of the highway, and California 169 exists in two discontinuous segments as a result.
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South
The 1931 Klamath River Bridge as seen from the south edge of California 96.
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Southbound California 263 crosses over the Klamath River on this 1931 bridge just south of the intersection with California 96.
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Here is another view of the 1931 Klamath River bridge looking south.
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California 263 (Old U.S. 99) south prepares to cross the Shasta River on the deck-truss Pioneer Bridge.
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Two lanes of California 263 (Old U.S. 99) cross over the Shasta River via the Pioneer Bridge.
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A plaque commemorates the naming of the Pioneer Bridge, which was named in honor of pioneer stage drivers. The plaque was placed here (north end of bridge on east side of road) on August 29, 1931.
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This view looks south at the 1931 Pioneer Bridge on the east side of the bridge.
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Southbound California 263 (Old U.S. 99) prepares to cross the 1929 Dry Gulch Bridge. This concrete arch bridge remains in use 85 years after installation.
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This is a side view of the 1929 Dry Gulch Bridge looking south. The bridge railing has been replaced since its original installation.
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Southbound California 263 ends at Business Loop I-5 and California 3 in Yreka. The business route and California 3 overtake Main Street (old U.S. 99) south to Downtown, while through traffic turns east along California 3 to Interstate 5.
March 1999
Photo Credits:
- Andy Field: 05/25/08
- Jerry Mullady: March 1999
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Page Updated Thursday April 02, 2015.