Resources and Reflections

The so-called Redwood Grade between Willits and Redwood valley rises to 1976 feet elevation, the highest point on Highway 101. Not a terribly scenic stretch, its most compelling feature is the climb itself. Road conditions are generally very good with broad clean shoulders and a smooth surface for about 80% of the way. However, especially northbound, there are several stretches where the shoulder narrows down to about 18 inches, and the “rumble strip” can be a real problem.

In addition, at the time of this posting, significant repairs are underway and there is a four mile stretch where the two center lanes are barricaded and traffic has been diverted to the outermost lanes, making cycling on the normal shoulders very dangerous. For the brave (or foolish) the safest course under current conditions is actually to ride between the barricades. I’ve done this several times and been observed by CalTrans, CHP, and County Police, without any problems, presumably because this is in fact the safewst way to go. The two main caveats are to watch out for the center strip where the barriers stood before where the surface is very rough, and, of course, when crossing the traffic lanes to enter or exit the barricaded center section.

This stretch of the highway is definitely not for the faint of heart or inexperienced rider. If you’re headed north and your timing is just right, you can catch the MTA bus up and over the grade for just $1.50. Their new three place bike racks are easy to use but its best not to watch your bike bouncing around on the way up the hill (not that I’VE ever actually taken the bus rather than ride). Just make sure you’ve seated the bike properly in the rack, removed your panniers, then sit in the back of the bus and look the other direction.

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For a peek at what the whole of “Redwood” Valley used to look like, if you’re headed north, take a left at the bottom of the Redwood Grade on the Redwood Highway onto Reeves Canyon Road. The road surface deteriorates rapidly from smooth pavement to quilted pavement to loose, dusty gravel. In the upper reaches some of the steeper parts range from 12%-20% grades, but by then you are in the dappled shade of big old trees and well down in the cool canyon.
The GPS data below were recorded on June 30, 2009;

Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake and the Upper Ranch . Click on the link to download the GPX source file for your own navigation device.

Six miles from the highway you’ll come across a locked gate with a sign reading “End of Public Road, Private Property, Violators will be Prosecuted”. They mean it. The four miles from the gate to Leonard Lake is owned by the adjacent landowners and is operated as a series of private reserves, mostly for family vacations and special events. The facilities are very much 1930’s rustic, with small cabins, very lightly improved campgrounds nestled beside the clear cool waters of Reeves Canyon stream, and enveloped by old growth native forest.
The headwaters of the stream at Leonard Lake is the heart of the former Crowsfoot Logging family reserve, and uniquely in the Redwood Valley, has never been logged. To the west, the 4000 acre parcel backs up against Montgomery Woods State Park. Between the two, this area represents a significant remainder of our original ecosystem. Though somewhat altered by ranching, farming and habitation over the past century and a half, you will still find magnificent groves of Coastal Redwood and White Fire that have never suffered the saw or the axe.
Exclusively through Emerald Empire Adventures, the public may now gain access for cycling, hiking or equestrian adventures. Strictly by appointment, we will guide you and your party through one of the few remaining places in the Emerald Empire where you can pass lightly through a vision from a vanishing world, as if it were your own private paradise.
Having passed through to Orr Hot Springs, the natural thing to do is to relax those tired muscles in the 103 degree waters before riding up the final 100′ climb to spend the night under the stars at Mann Ranch, where the 360 degree dark sky horizon is truly stunning by naked eye, binoculars of telescope (which can be arranged as well).
In the morning there’s a 9 mile 6%-12% downhill back into the valley for breakfast at Club Calpella or Angel’s in Redwood Valley and then on to the finish at Base Camp on Laughlin Rd. There’s a 60 mile, three day weekend to remember.
So check back soon for more GPS tracks on the back side, Orr Springs and Mann Ranch segments.

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Popularity: unranked [?]