May 28th, 71 miles to Kerby


Left the coast today as I’ll start to head more eastwards. It was foggy and misty this morning but dry when I departed. Came through main parts of Brookings and then headed south on four lane highway. After few miles it narrowed and then at seven miles I crossed the border to California. As I took a picture of the sign, the drizzle picked up and it started raining lightly.

Just inside California I passed the fruit inspection station but they waved me through. Shortly after this the cycle route departed from 101 and went onto county road D5. It was quiet cycling the county road as it bounced some slight hills and then came across town of Smith River. Signs here proclaimed the area as Easter Lily Capital of the World.

At 17 miles came back to 101 again and just thereafter was a bridge across the Smith River. Rather than take the bridge I was on CA 197. It went through forest and in this next area were some tall redwood trees. At 25 miles it joined up to US 199 and two miles further was Hiouchi and chance to get some breakfast. Caltrans workers told me the road would have reasonable grade with slightly steep at the top. Also a few narrow parts but otherwise good road.


It continued raining as I passed through Gasquet at 34 miles but stopped closer to 40 mile mark. The sun came out and turned out to be a nice day. As reported, the road had periodic sections of very narrow road going through steep canyon but also some parts with four lane road. Overall, traffic wasn’t too heavy and was well behaved. At 46 miles a stop along the way and then I rode the last bits to 53 miles at top of the hill, ~2000ft elevation.

At top of the hill was a tunnel with a bicycle button that would cause lights to flash. Also here was a rest area with tourist information about Del Norte county. I pushed the button and rode through the tunnel assisted by slight downhill.

After this point I had more downhill than up. At 56 miles, I crossed back into Oregon again.

At 61 miles was a store at Obrien with this carved bear out front. Also an old police car. There wasn’t much else in Obrien and so asked if there was motel in Cave Junction. They hesitated and instead of answering my question said, “you are better off in Kerby”. At 69 miles came through Cave Junction to see the motel they didn’t describe and otherwise the town area. Two miles later stopped for the day.


Expect as I go eastwards that it will also get drier. Looking up climate data for average precipitation: Brookings – 78 inches, Cave Junction – 61 inches, Grants Pass – 31 inches, Ashland – 19 inches, Klamath Falls – 14 inches.

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