Hwy 299 and Hwy 96 along Klamath River are supposedly pretty busy, so I picked some dirt tracks to avoid the busy roads. However, while the highways mostly follow the river valleys, these roads climbing up the mountains.
The first taste you get right after leaving the Eureka / Arcata flats. After passing through Blue Lake and Korbel, you start climbing up Bald Moutain Rd, continueing the ridge line via Snow Camp Rd. You reach an elevation of close to 3000 feet (900 m).
After crossing Hwy 299, Blair Rd leads you down into the valley of Redwood Creek. You cross the creek at an elevation of 700 feet (210 m) and Blair Rd leads you then to a pass at about 3300 feet (1000 m). From there it's all downhill to Hoopa.
After refueling in Hoopa, you climb out of the Klamath River Valley on Mill Creek Rd. Over 9 miles (14.5 km) you gain about 3000 feet (900 m). The top is clear, so expect great views from the ridge. Then it's a long down hill back into the Klamath River Valley at Orleans.
In Orleans, you cross the Klamath River and take Ishi-Pishi Rd (one-lane, paved) to Somes Bar climbing 1000 feet (300 m) over a cliff.
In summary, the 96 miles from Eureka to Somes Bar present you with three major climbs and a moderate one which have a total elevation gain of about 10 000 feet (3000 m).
Lower Maple Creek Rd |
Upper Maple Creek Rd |
Turn left into Bald Mtn Rd / Snow Camp Rd |
Here's the sign directing you |
View East from Bald Mtn Rd |
Bald Mtn Rd keeps climbing over a mixture of poor pavement and gravel |
View West from Snow Cap Mtn Rd |
Turn left into towards Hwy 299 (that's what the sign says) |
The remaining miles to Hwy 299 are on gravel |
View over logging contry |
After short stretch on Hwy 299, turn left into Bair Rd, the road sign reads "Redwood Valley" |
Bair Rd at Hwy 299 |
After passing through Hoopa, turn right after the bridge into unmarked Mill Creek Rd 
Turn right at the stop sign |
Mill Creek Rd becomes a gravel road |
You will need to cross this bridge in Orleans to get to Ishi Pishi Rd |
View over Klamath River from Ishi Pishi Rd |
One-lane Ishi Pishi Rd |
Salmon River Outpost at Somes Bar marks the end of Ishi Pishi Rd |
Services
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Eureka |
The towns of Eureka and Arcata are the business center of the region
offering many options for lodging,
stores, restaurants and other services.
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Blue Lake |
Lodging:
Laundromat:
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Hoopa |
Lodging:
Stores:
Restaurants:
Laundromat:
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Orleans |
Lodging:
Camping:
Stores:
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Somes Bar |
Stores:
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