The Mythical State of Jefferson in far northern California is a land of vast wilderness, wild rivers, gold country, Native American culture and rural communities characterized by a spirit of independence.
Visitors to this rugged region must come prepared, for once you depart from the civilization of the Interstate 5 corridor or coastal Highway 101 you enter a land of independence and individuality where you can explore the territory that was almost the nation's 49th state.
Residents of the handful of southern Oregon and northern California counties that comprised the Jefferson Territory made several bids for secession, beginning in the 1850s.
The most viable attempt came in 1941 when Jeffersonians planned to inaugurate their own governor, an event covered by The San Francisco Chronicle, The Oregonian, and four Hollywood newsreel companies as well as Life and Time magazines.
The "patriotic rebellion," as activists called it, was based on frustrations with state governments over the lack of maintained roadways in a region rich with harvestable natural resources.
The attack on Pearl Harbor four days after the inauguration ended the secession movement.
Nowadays the State of Jefferson, with its sweeping tracks of wilderness and remote river canyon villages, is less of a political movement and more a cultural entity loosely defined by the independent attitude held by its residents.
Despite the failure to win political independence, the would-be state has gained recognition in the hearts of residents and in a growing number of visitors to the area.
The "XX" of the Great Seal of the State of Jefferson that symbolized citizens' feelings of being double-crossed by both state governments is seen along the Byway on signs, vehicles, t-shirts and hats.
The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway runs through the middle of historic Jefferson Territory where a tour can last for a few days or several weeks.
Summertime in the State of Jefferson is ripe with events and activities for families and travelers to enjoy.
River rafting, gold mining, fishing, camping and hiking are plentiful in the area.
A host of museums reveal the history of settlers and Native American tribes, while residents share the legends and tales that pervade this now mythical state.
The eastern gateway to the Byway is Yreka, on northern California's Interstate 5 corridor.
Now the Siskiyou County seat, Yreka was once the capital of the mythical state and home to one of the biggest gold strikes in the Territory.
Its gold rush history has been preserved at Greenhorn Park, where once a lucky newcomer made a huge strike in an unlikely drainage, and present day visitors can picnic and stroll through a small section of a historic mining camp preserved in the Park.
At the nearby Siskiyou County Museum, history is detailed through displays and outdoor exhibits that include a collection of local Native American baskets, and displays about early trappers, Chinese settlers, old time lumbering and the gold rush era.
Just a few blocks away, the Siskiyou County Courthouse has a $1 million display of locally culled gold nuggets and flakes, making it California's largest display of gold still in its native county.
The Yreka Chamber of Commerce on Miner Street has brochures on the history of the area as well as lodging and dining information.
Before heading north out of Yreka along the Byway it is important to embrace a spirit of adventure as you strike in to the heart of the State of Jefferson.
Be sure to stock up on supplies and gas, as the Byway is truly a remote area where wildlife is abundant and gas stations are few and far between.
The adventure begins on Highway 263, following the deep Shasta River canyon.
The landscape is dramatic in this first section, with historic bridges and rugged hillsides plunging to the riverbed below.
Shortly after joining Highway 96, which mirrors the Klamath River, travelers with an enthusiasm for birding, wildlife watching, rafting and just plain relaxing in the sun will find a beautiful resting place at the Tree of Heaven Forest Service campground.
This green haven has a short interpretive trail where birds are abundant and deer often meander across the path.
It has excellent river access for canoes, rafts and inner tubes and a beautiful day use area for picnics.
Named by early Chinese miners, the "Tree of Heaven" spreads shady limbs over quiet campsites.
Twelve miles downriver from the campground is the town of Klamath River, where residences and stores dot the Byway for several miles.
Stop at Quigley's, a classic rural general store, for deli snacks, refreshments and State of Jefferson memorabilia.
If you're looking to rest for the evening there are a handful of RV parks in the area, including the one at Quigley's.
On the way to Happy Camp you'll pass through Seiad Valley, home to an RV park and one of two card lock gas stations between Yreka and Happy Camp where credit cards are accepted.
As you enter Happy Camp you'll see remarkable painted murals and side streets that reveal interesting shops and historic buildings.
Here the lore of the State of Jefferson comes to life, along with tales of Bigfoot, the legendary "ape-man" of these remote mountains.
The State of Jefferson Museum, located in the Siskiyou House on Davis Road, has a collection of photos from the 1941 movement and information about the history, geology and biologic diversity of the area.
Across the street you'll find The New 49'ers, a prospecting store where you can buy sluices and dredges.
If you'd like to try your hand at gold mining but have no experience, call ahead for their schedule of workshops where you can learn the ins and outs of gold mining and keep all the gold you find.
Throughout the summer Happy Camp celebrates its heritage with festivals, and every day dawns with the opportunity to explore.
Gold Rush Days in late June and early July commemorate the region's history while encouraging revelers to try their hand at finding gold.
Over Labor Day weekend the Bigfoot Jamboree is a time for family reunions and fun through a weekend of live entertainment, a horseshoe tournament, the Jamboree dance and parade.
Warm days are perfect for river rafting, viewing waterfalls or exploring the Klamath Knot, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the nation.
Rockhounding, fishing, hiking, hunting, wilderness horse packing and cycling are also popular among visitors.
Just up the road from Elk Creek Campground and RV Park is a waterfall and access to the beautiful Marble Mountain Wilderness.
The Karuk Tribe, which traditionally lived along the river from Seiad Valley to some 80 miles down river, is an active element of the Happy Camp community.
Tribal members are working to preserve their culture and the natural resources of the area.
The tribe still performs the World Renewal Ceremony during the summer, as it has since time immemorial.
As you drive downriver along Highway 96 you will unknowingly pass sacred ceremonial sites on the riverbank.
A visible element of the tribe's culture can be found at The Karuk People's Center on 2nd Street .
When the time comes to leave Happy Camp you have a few routes to choose from.
The Byway leaves Happy Camp by Indian Creek Road, which is closed during the winter.
This winding route leads to Cave Junction in Oregon and on to Interstate 5 at Grants Pass.
If you stay on Highway 96 you'll be on the Bigfoot Byway where you can travel through Hoopa Indian country.
Well before the turnoff to Highway 299 West you'll come to the town of Hoopa and Hoopa Reservation, the largest in California.
A stop at the Hoopa Tribal Museum may take a few hours as you view ceremonial regalia, dugout canoes and a collection of finely woven baskets before continuing on to the Trinity River Scenic Byway and coastal Highway 101 at Arcata.
As you pass through this land with its history of independence and rebellion you'll enjoy the friendliness of rural people while you're amazed by the beauty of rugged river canyons, spectacular sunsets and rich diversity of flora and fauna that is the mythical State of Jefferson.
The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.
jeffersonstate.
com provides a detailed map of the Byway with descriptions and photos that is no longer available in print.
Visitors to this rugged region must come prepared, for once you depart from the civilization of the Interstate 5 corridor or coastal Highway 101 you enter a land of independence and individuality where you can explore the territory that was almost the nation's 49th state.
Residents of the handful of southern Oregon and northern California counties that comprised the Jefferson Territory made several bids for secession, beginning in the 1850s.
The most viable attempt came in 1941 when Jeffersonians planned to inaugurate their own governor, an event covered by The San Francisco Chronicle, The Oregonian, and four Hollywood newsreel companies as well as Life and Time magazines.
The "patriotic rebellion," as activists called it, was based on frustrations with state governments over the lack of maintained roadways in a region rich with harvestable natural resources.
The attack on Pearl Harbor four days after the inauguration ended the secession movement.
Nowadays the State of Jefferson, with its sweeping tracks of wilderness and remote river canyon villages, is less of a political movement and more a cultural entity loosely defined by the independent attitude held by its residents.
Despite the failure to win political independence, the would-be state has gained recognition in the hearts of residents and in a growing number of visitors to the area.
The "XX" of the Great Seal of the State of Jefferson that symbolized citizens' feelings of being double-crossed by both state governments is seen along the Byway on signs, vehicles, t-shirts and hats.
The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway runs through the middle of historic Jefferson Territory where a tour can last for a few days or several weeks.
Summertime in the State of Jefferson is ripe with events and activities for families and travelers to enjoy.
River rafting, gold mining, fishing, camping and hiking are plentiful in the area.
A host of museums reveal the history of settlers and Native American tribes, while residents share the legends and tales that pervade this now mythical state.
The eastern gateway to the Byway is Yreka, on northern California's Interstate 5 corridor.
Now the Siskiyou County seat, Yreka was once the capital of the mythical state and home to one of the biggest gold strikes in the Territory.
Its gold rush history has been preserved at Greenhorn Park, where once a lucky newcomer made a huge strike in an unlikely drainage, and present day visitors can picnic and stroll through a small section of a historic mining camp preserved in the Park.
At the nearby Siskiyou County Museum, history is detailed through displays and outdoor exhibits that include a collection of local Native American baskets, and displays about early trappers, Chinese settlers, old time lumbering and the gold rush era.
Just a few blocks away, the Siskiyou County Courthouse has a $1 million display of locally culled gold nuggets and flakes, making it California's largest display of gold still in its native county.
The Yreka Chamber of Commerce on Miner Street has brochures on the history of the area as well as lodging and dining information.
Before heading north out of Yreka along the Byway it is important to embrace a spirit of adventure as you strike in to the heart of the State of Jefferson.
Be sure to stock up on supplies and gas, as the Byway is truly a remote area where wildlife is abundant and gas stations are few and far between.
The adventure begins on Highway 263, following the deep Shasta River canyon.
The landscape is dramatic in this first section, with historic bridges and rugged hillsides plunging to the riverbed below.
Shortly after joining Highway 96, which mirrors the Klamath River, travelers with an enthusiasm for birding, wildlife watching, rafting and just plain relaxing in the sun will find a beautiful resting place at the Tree of Heaven Forest Service campground.
This green haven has a short interpretive trail where birds are abundant and deer often meander across the path.
It has excellent river access for canoes, rafts and inner tubes and a beautiful day use area for picnics.
Named by early Chinese miners, the "Tree of Heaven" spreads shady limbs over quiet campsites.
Twelve miles downriver from the campground is the town of Klamath River, where residences and stores dot the Byway for several miles.
Stop at Quigley's, a classic rural general store, for deli snacks, refreshments and State of Jefferson memorabilia.
If you're looking to rest for the evening there are a handful of RV parks in the area, including the one at Quigley's.
On the way to Happy Camp you'll pass through Seiad Valley, home to an RV park and one of two card lock gas stations between Yreka and Happy Camp where credit cards are accepted.
As you enter Happy Camp you'll see remarkable painted murals and side streets that reveal interesting shops and historic buildings.
Here the lore of the State of Jefferson comes to life, along with tales of Bigfoot, the legendary "ape-man" of these remote mountains.
The State of Jefferson Museum, located in the Siskiyou House on Davis Road, has a collection of photos from the 1941 movement and information about the history, geology and biologic diversity of the area.
Across the street you'll find The New 49'ers, a prospecting store where you can buy sluices and dredges.
If you'd like to try your hand at gold mining but have no experience, call ahead for their schedule of workshops where you can learn the ins and outs of gold mining and keep all the gold you find.
Throughout the summer Happy Camp celebrates its heritage with festivals, and every day dawns with the opportunity to explore.
Gold Rush Days in late June and early July commemorate the region's history while encouraging revelers to try their hand at finding gold.
Over Labor Day weekend the Bigfoot Jamboree is a time for family reunions and fun through a weekend of live entertainment, a horseshoe tournament, the Jamboree dance and parade.
Warm days are perfect for river rafting, viewing waterfalls or exploring the Klamath Knot, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the nation.
Rockhounding, fishing, hiking, hunting, wilderness horse packing and cycling are also popular among visitors.
Just up the road from Elk Creek Campground and RV Park is a waterfall and access to the beautiful Marble Mountain Wilderness.
The Karuk Tribe, which traditionally lived along the river from Seiad Valley to some 80 miles down river, is an active element of the Happy Camp community.
Tribal members are working to preserve their culture and the natural resources of the area.
The tribe still performs the World Renewal Ceremony during the summer, as it has since time immemorial.
As you drive downriver along Highway 96 you will unknowingly pass sacred ceremonial sites on the riverbank.
A visible element of the tribe's culture can be found at The Karuk People's Center on 2nd Street .
When the time comes to leave Happy Camp you have a few routes to choose from.
The Byway leaves Happy Camp by Indian Creek Road, which is closed during the winter.
This winding route leads to Cave Junction in Oregon and on to Interstate 5 at Grants Pass.
If you stay on Highway 96 you'll be on the Bigfoot Byway where you can travel through Hoopa Indian country.
Well before the turnoff to Highway 299 West you'll come to the town of Hoopa and Hoopa Reservation, the largest in California.
A stop at the Hoopa Tribal Museum may take a few hours as you view ceremonial regalia, dugout canoes and a collection of finely woven baskets before continuing on to the Trinity River Scenic Byway and coastal Highway 101 at Arcata.
As you pass through this land with its history of independence and rebellion you'll enjoy the friendliness of rural people while you're amazed by the beauty of rugged river canyons, spectacular sunsets and rich diversity of flora and fauna that is the mythical State of Jefferson.
The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.
jeffersonstate.
com provides a detailed map of the Byway with descriptions and photos that is no longer available in print.
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