The title of this section of my site implies something about roads into Lake County and I got interested in the subject and found quite a few.  I've used some of them and some are not useable.  Here is what I know about them; if I've missed or messed some, please let me know.
 

1.     Highway 20, the Ukiah Road:  This road comes in from above Ukiah just below Calpella; it used to start just above Ukiah at the forks but was realigned to miss the dam at Lake Mendocino.  its a fine road.  I surveyed (rear chain anyway) the outlet of the dam in the mid-'50s.
2.     Highway 175, the Hopland Grade.  This is a road with good surface and plenty of curves.
3.     Hopland Toll Road:  I've not taken this road; I believe it becomes the Pieta road.  My mother's Uncle Benty (Bent Thomas) on whose property they lived drove a stage and I believe he drove this road.
4.     Cow Mountain:  We left Talmage on the Mill Creek road.  This led to the Cow Mtn. off road area on fine but dirt road.  After the first ridge, the road widened thru Mendocino County.  In Lake Co. the road became narrow dirt with parallel ridges which we could dirve easily in our Volvo V70 wagon.  At the bottom we had a ford of Scott's Creek which was no problem in March but the far bank was steep enuf that we slid up on our pan.  A higher vehicle should have no problem if the creek isn't too high but we had an anxious moment.
   
5.     Pieta Road:  This road was built by the Highland Springs - Squaw Rock Toll Road Co. which explains where it goes.  I don't know if it goes thru.  The 1914 Lake Co. bio book says it was built between April 30 and Sept. 18, 1891 under the supervision of James William Boggs with Prof. Kelley of Lakeport as civil engineer.  I beleve it came out to 101 down Pieta Creek at the Rock Shop but don't know what willhappen at the 2002 realignment.  I have heard recently that a railroad grade was started there but can't confirm.
6.     Geysers Road:  This road takes off from the Geyserville loop which runs from Preston to about Jimtown.  It no longer goes into Lake Co. due to the Geysers geothermal fields.  I seem to recall getting to the geysers along this road from the bottlerock road.
7.     Pine Flat Road:  This road goes to the microwave repeaters on the ridge and is no longer open due to the Geysers geothermal fields.  It should connect to the Socrates mine road.  The town of Pine Flat is now gone.
8.     Ida Clayton Grade: This road takes off 128 at Kellogg which is hard to find but the road is not; look for the Trout Farm sign.  The road in Sonoma county has an adaquate surface and is narrow and curvy.  It straightens out in Lake Co. but looses its surface.  The road is quite passable but slow.  I heard of a 8 ton bell being hauled over this road in the last century.  It hits highway 29 below Middletown.
9.     Highway 29:    This is the main road over Mt. St. Helena (in my experience pronounced Sainta Lena).  Its a fine road with some curves.
10.     Morgan Valley Road:    This road comes into Lower Lake from the north end of Lake Berryessa  Just into Lake Co. it passes the Homestake Gold mine then winds thru rolling hills for several miles before hitting the "outskirts" of Lower Lake.  In the spring, is a very pretty drive but very foggy the first time I was there. The surface is fine and it is continuous curves and hills with little traffic.  We took it out of Lake Co. Mar. 2004 and found it became the road along the west shore of Lake Berryessa.  The road in Napa county became narrow but with fair pavement.  Our Volvo "low
11.     Rieff Road:   This road takes off for Yolo county from the Morgan Valley Road just before the latter reaches Napa Co.  There is little of it in Lake Co.  My cousin Steve took the road into Lake Co. in 2003 and  described it as quite steep and curvy with a great view of the Homestake mine.
12.     Pope valley Road:    This road heads out just north of the town of St. Helena and heads for Angwin, thru Pope Valley and Butts canyon past the Guenoc winery and into 29 just above Middletown.  It was considered a less aggressive alternative to St. Helena and still seems to be.  If you want bucolic, this is your best bet.
13.     Highway 16 to 20:    This starts at Woodland and goes up Cache Creek, the outlet of Clear Lake.  Its been a while but I recall it as being a pleasant, nearly flat road; it goes along the creek doesn't it?
14.     Highway 20:    This comes in from Colusa thru Williams and is a reasonably flat road that is easily driveable but a bit dull; the cork oaks planted in the teens are one of the most interesting features.  The road passes near Upper Lake, goes along the shore of Blue Lakes, passes over the Cow Mountain slide which is said to have rerouted the outlet of Clear Lake and gives views of Lake Mendocino before hitting Ukiah.
15.     Bartlet Mountian:    This should be one of the most interesting routes into Lake Co.  I haven't been on the road since the late '40s at which time it was a dirt road passable in dry weather.  It can be reached from Leesville, Ladoga, Stonyford or the Elk Mountain Road.
16.    Elk Mountain Road:    This road can be reached from the Mendocino National Forest.  I worked on Elk Mountain in the mid - '50s at which time it was a dirt road passable in dry weather.
17.    Potter Valley Road:    This road comes into highway 20 not far from Ukiah and can be reached from the Mendocino National Forest. It is listed more for completness.

27Oct.'03
14Mar.'04  added Cow Mtn. & expanded Morgan Valley.