Pics from my Oregon/NorCal Trip

[shuly]

I got back last week from my trip to Oregon and Northern California. I did run Topsy Grade Road but chose not to run McGrew. It had been raining and giving the condition of Topsy (lots of mud), I was alone and since I didn't know the trail/route I decided to run this trip next time. When I head up there next time I'd love to have someone that knows the trail go with. It looks like a great trail and would be fun to do an overnight camping trip at Sourdough.

Thanks to those that helped with trail suggestions. I wanted to specifically thank the folks in the BLM - Klamath Falls office. They were extremely helpful! Thanks also goes to the kind people at the USFS/BLM interagency office in Grant's Pass and the BLM-Cave Junction Office.
I have been here many times but stopped again at Burney Falls in NorCal on the way up to Oregon.

Near the Falls I found an old RR bridge. It was kind of scary to get out and take the pics though. No rails and it was about 25 feet straight down. Thought it would make for a great shot so I had to do it.

Finally made it to Oregon

Stopping at the beginning of the turn off to Topsy to air down. It was really beautiful up there!

Topsy Sign

Some of the nasty stuff on the trail. I did tread as lightly as possible.

Heading down the mountain along the river.

 

[shuly]

Robbers Rock. I love these historic wagon trails...we wouldn't have so many great 4wd roads without them.

Down at the riverbank. I didn't get a shot but saw several deer on the way down. There were deer everywhere up there. I was never so glad to have a bull bar on the windy mountain roads as I was on this trip! Though I am sure glad I didn't have the unfortunate need to "use" it.

Another access to the riverbank.

Some of the more interesting parts of Topsy area.

The trail was blocked at the bottom and had this side route up but then it ended and you had to cross back over on the left.

Along the trail

 

[shuly]

Suddenly at the worst mud hole out there I came across this. I was expecting to see someone but no one was around.

I was going to winch them out but since no one was with the car, it was completely flooded out, cars don't have the best "recovery" points and more importantly I didn't want to wade into the mud/muck with no one around and heck if it was a stolen vehicle figured best to leave it there and call someone. I planned on going back if I met the owner walking along the trail. Never saw anyone though. I marked the location on GPS and called it into the local authorities. I must admit I am impressed they got this far. There were some really nasty mud holes. The 4Runner didn't have any trouble, but a 2wd Intrepid got pretty far.

At the Oregon/NorCal Border...a place to smuggle in all those fruits/vegetables and non native plants. I don't understand the need to stop every vehicle at the CA border and ask if I am bringing in fruits and vegetables....haha....I always think of the Simpson's episode when you have to go through these things. Anyway, Topsy crosses into and out of CA/OR several times. This was the first place my nav showed me crossing.

At the bottom of the trail on the CA side. The river is on private property for this portion but it was a great view.

"moo cows"

Copco Lake. This was a very pretty place. What a place to spend a day. Lots of great places to retire assuming the lake remains. Apparently there is some environmental group up to something...Anyway...these pictures don't really do the lake justice. It is a very beautiful area and a very large lake.

Back into Oregon again. A pano of Crater Lake. I had to include one.

 

[shuly]

That day my trip plans changed a bit. I was traveling with someone who decided to part ways and camp (in the rain). It's a long story but then I was truly traveling alone...which really was a blessing. I ended up in Roseburg that evening (I never planned to go through that city). So I stopped at the visitor center in town and picked up a map of the covered bridges and wineries. Had a wonderful day shooting and enjoying the views.
The Rochester Bridge built in 1933 @ 80 feet long.

Parked at the bridge & yes I did drive over all of them.

View of the area

On my way to a winery. Lots of birds around. Turkey Vultures unless I am mistaken.

The bird on the last post was with them but I am not sure what type of hawk/eagle it was.
UPDATE: It may have been a young Turkey Vulture or a Red Tail...can't tell for sure from this pic.

Oops got too close...

Views from at the Reustle - Prayer Rock Winery. They had beautiful property and a couple of really nice wines. They were preparing for a big dinner/event that night. Found a couple of gems and ordered a case. I also thank them for their hospitality!

After leaving the winery found these statues in a field. No idea what they are doing there but took some shots of them.

 

[shuly]

Wildflowers on the roadside.

Another Statue

Wild Roses

Monkey Flower if I am not mistaken.
UPDATE: Not Monkey Flower.... I am mistaken.

Another vineyard. The wineries up there are so different than what I am used to. I have been collecting wine for 12 years now. In Napa/Sonoma area everything is so commercial. Even Santa Barbara has gotten really commercial. It was great to be at a winery that isn't next to another winery but next to a cattle farm or someone's home. I will do a wine trip one of these days. I think I need 3 weeks; one for fishing, one for wine tasting, and one for river rafting and other adventures.

Neal Lane Bridge built in 1939 @ 42 feet. One of the shortest bridges in Oregon. The info says it was built for only $1,000 and it is the only bridge with a Kingpost truss design.

Parked ... after crossing the bridge

 

[shuly]

The Horse Creek Bridge....I realize I lied. I didn't drive across all of them. This one you have to walk across. I did walk across it though. The bridge was built in 1930 @ 105 feet long. It was relocated to Millsite Park. I am guessing it was no longer structurally sound for car traffic.

I planned on staying in Grant's Pass on the Rogue River. I did just that but before I stopped at the cabin/motel I made a stop at Wheeler's to pick up a diff drop kit (which I still need to install). It seems kind of stupid but it was fun to make my first visit to a 4wheel shop out of state. I think on my next adventure I might just try to stop at another one or two of them

View of the Rogue River from my cabin/motel. There were Orioles nesting. Apparently there were fresh water otters but they were no where to be found when I was out there.

A random stop at a lake the next day.

Since I had a bit of time I decided to stop at the Oregon Caves National Monument. Here are a couple of shots. Why is it that most of the NPS people are just grumpy most of the time? Not like the BLM and USFS. It seems to be like this no matter where I am, CA, NV, AZ, CO...and even OR. Though the ranger who is a caver was very friendly and you could tell she really enjoyed her job. For the rest of the grumpy NPS people...quit and find something you love you will be doing it for the rest of your life!

Not nearly as much as some fault scarps but... Notice the earth moment from past quakes.

 

[shuly]

More of the caves

Walking back to my truck I found a couple of Jays.

Stopped along side the road back from the Caves.

Another stop along side the road at Grayback Creek.

Saw these flowers. They are planted at a property out there but they were really bright orange! No idea what they were. these flowers. They are planted at a property out there but they were really bright orange! No idea what they were.
UPDATE: These are actually Poppies...Haven't seen these kind before.

Another stop along side the road. This is the last shot from Oregon. Onto Crescent City and through the fruit/veggie checkpoint. The guy at the checkpoint gave me some nice complements on my 4R. Crescent City and the lighthouse.

Crescent City and the lighthouse.

On the beach in Crescent City

Stopping along the CA Coast.

 

[shuly]

I can't remember for sure but I think this was the Klamath Watershed. There are so many up there. It is always neat to see where the fresh water and the salt water meet.

Some elk were just stopped along side the road. I grabbed my telephoto lens but something was up with it. I fixed did what I could with these.

Starting the drive through the Redwoods at Pepperwood (Avenue of the Giants).

There wasn't much to shoot but I took a few of the redwoods while hiking a bit.

 

[shuly]

I hadn't been to but was curious so I took the 45 minute detour to Shelter Cove. It is about 20 miles west of the 101 but it is windy and steep and takes some time. I came across a bunch of birds flying down along the roadway...Eagle/Hawk I don't know but they were very kewl. I got these...
UPDATE: This is a Red Tail...Thanks Shawn!

UPDATE: These two are Turkey Vultures...Thanks Shawn...I need a nature guide with me next time

On the way down the road I thought I saw a bear down one of the side roads. Sure enough it was gone when I turned around. To my surprise there really are black bears in Shelter Cove!!! There is BLM land, camping and hiking in the area....I think I'll be back to this area sooner than later.
A pano of the Black Sand Beach. No people to spoil my shot ... Woo Hoo!!!

The beach near the lighthouse and the lighthouse.

Drove down to the beach in Shelter Cove. Found another 4Runner out there.

I got this without getting wet. I wanted to get one with ocean spray and going through the water...but hence the curse of driving alone. Though I was able to get this w/o getting wet

I went back for these shots. The runway is private though.

One last shot on the way out.

 

[shuly]

I had a great trip. Everyone in Oregon was friendly except for one guy at a gas pump. He saw my CA plates and felt I needed to be educated. Little did he know I am a Chem Eng and I work in the industry. What a tool! haha I suppose there always has to be one &*?!# for every 100 good people. Aside from the one jerk I could get used to kind friendly people filling my tank and washing the windows. I must have spent at least a couple of hours answering questions about my 4R when I would stop...almost anywhere. Seems not too many people have seen a modded 4th gen in the areas I was. I appreciated all the kind comments. One of my favorite things was when I would pass another 4R on the road and they would give that nice truck wave! I am definitely heading back to Oregon for another trip...and I am going to run McGrew next time!

I also helped out a guy at a rest stop on my way down the CA coast after leaving Shelter Cove. Why on earth I didn't take pictures....I am such an idiot! There was a F250 with a small trailer attached broken down in the middle of the road at a rest stop. He was in major danger of getting hit. No one was willing to help but I was...so what the heck. I was able to pull him 100 feet or so to get him out of the way. OK technically the road was downhill otherwise I wouldn't have tried. Tow Straps (30k#) and shackles (+slight downhill) = no problem for the 4R. Easier than pulling someone out of the snow and/or mud. Of course uphill I admit I wouldn't have stranded a chance.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

Wow man those are awesome pics. Some great scenery out that way. Trips like that make you appreciate how beautiful and scenic our country really is. I would love to take a road trip out West and see places like that for myself.

 

[K.C.]

Shuly,

You take insanely gorgeous photos!!

You added MORE PHOTOS!!

Thank you very much for sharing!!

 

[Pure 98]

nice pictures man :bigok:. looks like it was a lot of fun, Thanks for sharing

 

[A10MileHusker]

Wow!! :bigok:

This fall I'm taking a roadtrip myself. I'm starting in Minnesota and going to Nebraska for a few days to see some old friends, then going to colorado to see some old friends and WHEEL :bigok: and then on to the Bay Area in CA and then up to Portland, OR as my final destination. I'm hoping to take my time and get some really nice shots and take some detours as you did. Usually when I'm on the road, I'm pedal to the metal get there as fast as possible. :lmao:

Great pictures and great looking 4R!!

 

[Texas05SE]

Those are some of the most beautiful photos I've ever seen (scene)

Thank you for sharing them. Pics like that are all I need to convince the wife of a road trip.

 

[HOJeepster]

Great story man, glad you had fun!

What lense do you have for those wide shots? Beautiful work.

I did a road trip similiar to yours from Seattle to Lake Tahoe along Highway 101, truly beautiful country.

 

[shuly]

Wow man those are awesome pics. Some great scenery out that way. Trips like that make you appreciate how beautiful and scenic our country really is. I would love to take a road trip out West and see places like that for myself.

Come on out...I'd be happy to and I'm sure there are lots of others who would love to take you on some nice trail runs!

Wow!!
This fall I'm taking a roadtrip myself. I'm starting in Minnesota and going to Nebraska for a few days to see some old friends, then going to colorado to see some old friends and WHEEL and then on to the Bay Area in CA and then up to Portland, OR as my final destination. I'm hoping to take my time and get some really nice shots and take some detours as you did. Usually when I'm on the road, I'm pedal to the metal get there as fast as possible.
Great pictures and great looking 4R!!

Have a safe trip and be sure to take a lot of pics. I'm sure many of us would love to see them. If you go by the Klamath Falls area take the time to run Topsy. It is really a nice trip. The BLM office up there has a good map of the area. You can make a loop back through and head back up or come back out the way you came in. It really is worth the journey. Should be a piece of cake when it's dry. McGrew would also be fun...but having no experience I can't say how hard or easy it is. But it is only open in the summer so it might be a nice chance to try it out.

 

[shuly]

Great story man, glad you had fun!

What lense do you have for those wide shots? Beautiful work.

I did a road trip similiar to yours from Seattle to Lake Tahoe along Highway 101, truly beautiful country.

It is a great trip...if only I had more time. I swear I need to buy the winning lottery ticket...If anyone has the numbers pm me...I swear I won't tell... :lmao:

Most of these were shot at ~18mm or about that on a DX sensor...about the equivelent of a ~28mm lens on 35.

 

[shuly]

I was asked on the 120 board...so figured I would post it here if anyone was interested:

Looks like a worthwhile trip. Can you give more details about the route you took? How long was you trip?

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I left on Sat the 5th in the evening to get out of LA without traffic. Got back on Sat the 12th but could have easily spent more time But had to get back to work and given 3k miles or so of driving I needed at the very least a day to recoup from the trip. Anyway...since you asked here are more details about where I went. This is the basic trip. I did take side roads here and there where things looked interesting but heck if I know where/when they were. I used the SPOT. But it was tracking me for 7 days so there are over 500 data points and it is going to take way too long to sort that much data out into some sort of order.

Out of LA via 5 to 99 to Tulare (Instead of 5 to Fresno) Went into Redding and then Took the 89 into Burney (stayed one night in Burney). Took the 89 and continued the loop back to the 5 and stopped at the Black Bear Diner in Shasta. If I'm in the area I have to at least stop there for a good meal. Then took the 5 to the 97 and went into Oregon. Stopped in Klamath for gas and the BLM office. Then headed West to connect to Topsy Grade Road (about 20 minutes from the BLM office.) Took the trail and some side roads got into Copco Lake. Aired up and reconnected to the 5 and went back into Klamath. (stayed one night) The following day I went to Crater Lake. Grabbed my ice cleats and got "off the beaten path." Then went to a hot springs on the Umpqua River along the 62. I got some much needed sleep in the truck and waited for my friend to come back. Where we parted ways that evening. I had planned on doing a bunch of shooting along 62 but due to rain and darkness that didn't happen. The North Umpqua River is a beautiful place and if you head up that way be sure to spend some time enjoying it. I wasn't able to...but next time I want to do some hiking. For those that like mtn biking the total trail is 79 miles and apparently it can all be done on mtn bikes in 2-3 days. It is not an easy trail but it can be done. There are lots of water falls along the way. I was tired and wanted to just find a place to crash so I went into Roseburg about 1.5 hours away. Got a hotel and crashed. Then I just did some general exploring. Stopped at two wineries in the same area where I could find a few covered bridges. I'd actually love to make a trek and try to photograph all of the covered bridges in Oregon sometime. There are only maybe 50 some odd bridges left. Anyway took the 62 to the 234 to the 5 and went into Grants Pass where Wheeler's Offroad is. Stayed in Grants Pass overnight and then headed to the USFS/BLM office in Grants Pass for info on McGrew. Spoke with the BLM on the phone in Cave Junction and picked up some maps. After talking with them for quite a while I decided it best to forgo McGrew until next time. Given the conditions I found on Tospy, it had rained all night prior and was still raining off and on during the day, I didn't know the trail, it is technically at least blue and could be black in some places....just figured it much wiser and safer to not run a potentially difficult unknown trail alone. Took the 199 down into Cave Junction and then went to the Oregon Caves via the 46 (there really is only one way in and out of that area). Took the 199 (Redwood Hwy) through the Smith River Area and went into Crescent City for the night. Took the 101 along the coast (where I could-byways). Then drove the Avenue of the Giants (the old 101). Then eventually went into Shelter Cove. I also planned on going into Bodega Bay but I decided to skip it figuring there wouldn't be enough light to do any shooting. Helped move that F250 w/Trailer out of the way at a rest stop and then went into Santa Rosa for the evening. Then took the long boring route home on the 5.
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