trinity heritage national scenic byway

We rode our motorcycles from Arcata to Weaverville in October 2014. Enjoyed not only the scenery but how the highway rolled through the mountainside with some nice curves along the river. Highway is relatively well maintained.

We were in Weaverville, destination Weed, California. My G-Grandmother lived in Callahan, California for a number of years in the 1870s, before moving her family to Sonoma County (CA).The road is a great shape, and while there are a number of very tight turns and switchbacks, and a lot of elevation gains and losses, the route is very drivable.And when you get to Callahan, check out the Callahan Emporium!

Good road by Trinity Lake , along the Trinity River & over Scott's Mountain pass (5,600') is a excellent day trip. After the drive Weaverville to Etna in lovely Scott Valley of about 80 miles & 2 hours travel time be sure to stop at the Brewery which in addition to excellent beer it makes a very good root beer. Serving an tasty lunch with lots of sandwich/salad choices in a pub type atmosphere as well as outdoor garden setting. Good service.Then walk the two block downtown with several interesting shops. You the have the option of either returning back down Highway 3 or continue Northeast through the balance of Scott Valley to Yreka then down Interstate 5 past Weed, Mt Shasta, Lake Shasta to Redding & on 299 past Whiskytown Reservoir over The Buckhorn Pass (3,218') & back to Weaverville.

Young conifer forest encases the road and valleys on both sides of the 299. Few lookouts allow majestic views of pine covered mountains but nothing fantastic or different than the North bound drive up the 101. If going, travel only as far as Willow Creek and be sure to get a bite and a beer at Bigfoot Restaurant. The trip to Orleans is dull and dizzying on the 96 as the road swings back around sharp rocky curves without scenes of the river below. Not worth the time and effort and it will only get you killed on a curve or a speeding ticket.

Pristine, beautiful, green, lush, peaceful, breathtaking....gorgeous drive. Put this byway on your travel bucket list.

I truly enjoyed driving this road in mid November. Trees where changing color..the river and the views were incredibly beautiful..so happy I decided to drive highway 299.

Solitude, amazing rivers, breathtaking forests and canyons, and even though this is the only road from Redding to the ocean, it is lightly traveled by European standards. One of my favorite parts of California.

Beautiful drive from Redding California to Arcata California along California hwy 299 west. From the Northern most Sacramento Valley to the gateway of the Coast Redwoods and the Pacific Ocean. A much improved road in the last few years with many turn outs and passing lanes which has facilitated a better flow of traffic. Still very curvy in places but The American Reinvestment Act is hard at work improving much of the eastern end between Weaverville and Redding. Very nice drive following the Trinity River with camping and picnicking areas in abundance. Forest service to private depending on what you wish to spend to how much in the line of service you want or require. Many beautiful sweeping vistas crossing mountain passes in the California Coast Ranges. Blue Oaks and Madrone to ancient Redwoods and ferns. From high temp valley heat to cool coastal fog in just a few hours. Many side trips into ancient lands of the First People are just a short jaunt away. Please be respectful this is their ancestral home and many tribes have been eradicated by miners and loggers in a not so distant past. Many of the tribes completely annihilated and a few of their descendents living among other local tribes or descendents of ones who were taken as wives to miners and loggers. An area of great history. Turmoil and peaceful alike. The only problem I have is people just drive entirely way too FAST. It is best taken in at a leisurely pace. Hope you Enjoy.

there was snow the day I traveled over the roads but the views of the lake were pretty. Very quiet. Looking forward to going back in the summer. Looked like some nice camping spots.

Slow down, enjoy the majestic beauty of this awe inspiring road.Pull over for speeding locals, and fill up in Weaverville as the very few gas stations up here tend to run out of gas at times.

The first time I made this drive was in 1996 when we moved to Weaverville from Florida. I was too white-knuckled and intent on staying on the twisting mountain road to notice much then. I have now traveled the whole length of this road many times and consider it one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Sheer cliffs, views of Shasta Lake and Whiskey Town Reservoir, the Trinity River and the Trinity Alps, sometimes shrouded in fog, the cedar, pine and fir trees sometimes laden with snow, the roadside sometimes cloaked in a huge variety of wild flowers. Breathtaking wilderness at its best. Take your camera!

This is a beautiful way to travel if you have the time to enjoy the spectacular scenery and maybe dip your feet in the Trinity River or watch the canoeists. Scenic is the perfect description.