U.S. 97 South

A set of paddles distinguish the official state line along U.S. 97 southbound from Klamath County, Oregon into Siskiyou County, California. The first milepost references 54.09 miles north of the U.S. 97 southern terminus at Interstate 5 in Weed.

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Welcome to California and Siskiyou County guide signs posted at the state line. U.S. 97 descends quickly to meet the western terminus of SR 161 (State Line Road) near Indian Lake.

04/01/05

SR 161 (State Line Road) travels east from U.S. 97 to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and the city of Tulelake (via SR 139 south).

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The first cutout shield for U.S. 97 appears after the intersection with SR 161 (State Line Road) east.

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A regulatory sign advising motorists of the forthcoming agricultural inspection station south of Dorris follows on U.S. 97.

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Advancing south, U.S. 97 (Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway) reaches the city of Dorris in three miles and its terminus at Weed in 53 miles. San Francisco is 357 miles away via U.S. 97 south and a combination of Interstates 5, 505 and 80.

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U.S. 97 winds across Dorris Hill and lowers into Butte Valley. The speed limit reduces to 40 miles per hour upon on the approach to Dorris.

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Curving west to 1st Street in Dorris, U.S. 97 enters the city of around 900. Situated at an elevation of 4,240 feet above sea level, Dorris is a gateway for multiple outdoor recreational opportunities, including Mount Shasta, Lava Beds National Monument, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, and Upper and Lower Klamath Lakes.

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U.S. 97 navigates through the Dorris street grid along a stair stepped route, turning south from 1st Street to Main Street in this scene.

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Main Street leads U.S. 97 south through the Dorris business district. Rising to a height of 200 feet by City Hall is the tallest flagpole west of the Mississippi.

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U.S. 97 dog legs west along 4th Street from Main Street to Butte Street south.

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A U.S. 97 south reassurance shield assembly is posted on South Butte Street as the U.S. highway leaves Dorris.

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All commercial and truck traffic on U.S. 97 south must stop at the forthcoming State of California Agricultural Inspection Station.

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U.S. 97 angles southwest alongside a Union Pacific Railroad line to the agricultural inspection station.

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Continuing beyond the State of California Agricultural Inspection Station, motorists pass by another reassurance shield for U.S. 97 south. Majestic Mount Shasta comes into view across the Butte Valley; the mountain will be visible for the remainder of U.S. 97 south to Weed.

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U.S. 97 traverses agricultural areas and portions of Butte Valley National Grassland to unincorporated Macdoel.

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Entering the community of Macdoel (population 133 as of the 2010 Census, elevation 4,264 feet) along U.S. 97 south. Situated near Juniper Knoll (el. 4,568 feet), Macdoel is located northwest of Red Rock Valley.

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Upon leaving Macdoel, a distance sign on U.S. 97 south provides the distance to Weed, Redding and San Francisco.

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U.S. 97 leaves Butte Valley and ascends to Mount Hebron Summit. The uphill section has three lanes, with a climbing lane for southbound.

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Reaching Mount Hebron Summit (el. 5,202 feet), U.S. 97 enters Klamath National Forest and begins to descend toward Grass Lake.

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28 miles of U.S. 97 remain southwest from Mount Hebron to Weed. Travelers continuing onto I-5 will reach Redding in 98 miles.

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A U.S. 97 reassurance shield is posted by post mile 27.50.

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A rest area with facilities is located near Grass Lake at the base of the Mount Hebron Summit. South from here, U.S. 97 will again climb, this time to Grass Lake Summit (el. 5,101 feet).

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Looking north from U.S. 97 across the marshy Grass Lake at Geosenest peak.

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Mount Shasta (el. 14,162 feet) comes into view again as U.S. 97 turns more southerly at Grass Lake Station.

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U.S. 97 reaches Grass Lake Summit (el. 5,101 feet). South from here, the U.S. highway gradually lowers toward Weed, which sits at an elevation of 3,467 feet.

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Descending from Grass Lake Summit, U.S. 97 sees a vista point for a spectacular view of Mount Shasta.

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This U.S. 97 south reassurance shield assembly is located after the vista point.

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Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Deer Mountain Road east to a snow park.

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A gradual western turn takes U.S. 97 around Sheep Rock, as it navigates around the western periphery of Mount Shasta.

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Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Siskiyou County A-12 (99-97 Cutoff Road), which travels west to Interstate 5 at Grenada via Big Springs. This road has a name that harkens back to Interstate 5' original designation, U.S. 99. This connector provides a direct route to I-5 and the Siskiyou County seat in Yreka.

04/01/05

As U.S. 97 travels southwest toward Weed, Mount Shasta remains in view.

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The Scott Mountains and the Eddys (Mount Eddy) come into view from south U.S. 97. The city of Weed and Interstate 5 sit at the base of this mountain chain.

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Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Siskiyou County A-28 (Big Springs Road) north to Lake Shastina and Big Springs.

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County Road A-29 road ends at County Road A-12 (99-97 Cutoff Road) in Big Springs.

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U.S. 97 enters the city of Weed just southwest of unincorporated Carrick. Weed was established as a city in 1961 and was home to 2,967 per the 2010 Census.

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Curving around Lincoln Park, U.S. 97 intersects Lincoln Avenue west and east to adjacent residential areas.

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Southbound U.S. 97 approaches Business Loop I-5, Old U.S. 99, and SR 265 (Weed Boulevard) just west of Downtown Weed. This intersection was redesigned by 2011 so that U.S. 97 to South Weed Boulevard is the through movement. This scene looks at the previous setup with Weed Boulevard as the through route.

04/01/05

The last reference for U.S. 97 south was this assembly posted at Weed Boulevard. It was not retained with the alignment change. U.S. 97 otherwise overlays Business Loop I-5 south, while SR 265 accompanies the route along North Weed Boulevard to I-5 at Exit 748.

04/01/05

Leaving Downtown Weed, this sign assembly directed motorists from South Weed Boulevard (Business Loop I-5 and U.S. 97) to Interstate 5 north at Exit 747. It was replaced with a new guide sign and a stand alone shield for the business route by 2012.

03/31/05