| Interstate 5 south |
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Just south of Ashland and within the state of Oregon, Interstate 5 rises to its highest elevation along its entire route: Siskiyou Mountain Summit, elevation 4,310 feet (higher than Tejon Pass in Southern California). From here, Interstate 5 will descend to the state line between Oregon and California and enter the Shasta Valley en route to Yreka, the seat of Siskiyou County. Heavy fog and rain dominated the weather this day. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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While in Oregon and descending from Siskiyou Mountain Summit, a final Interstate 5 shield is posted. Most reassurance shields along Interstate 5 in California have the state name, unlike Oregon and Washington to the north. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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This mileage sign along Interstate 5 south provides the distance to Yreka (22 miles), Redding (122 miles), and Sacramento (279 miles). Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The State of Oregon thanked us for visiting. Ahead is the Oregon-California state line. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 leaves Oregon and begins a 798-mile journey from the Oregon state line to the international border with Mexico by following the lengthy Golden State of California generally via the Pacific Highway and parallel to old U.S. 99. Admitted into the United States of America on September 9, 1850, California was the 38th state admitted to the union, and today it is the most populous state with a population of 37,253,956 as of the 2010 Census. The majority of this population lives in cities, and many of the largest cities are clustered in Southern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley. Interstate 5 also enters Siskiyou County. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The first exit along Interstate 5 south in California is Exit 796, Hilt Road west to Hilt. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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An agricultural inspection notice is posted prior to Exit 796. It is very difficult to read this sign at high speed. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 796, Hilt Road. A very old segment of U.S. 99 may be accessed via Hilt Road east to Jefferson Road north. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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This sign advises of weather and traffic information available on AM 1610. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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After the Hilt Road interchange, this sign advises that all traffic must stop at the agricultural inspection station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The final descent into the Shasta Valley will take two more miles at a six percent grade. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 proceeds south under a railroad crossing. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 793, Bailey Hill Road (one mile). Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Black Mountain comes into view as Interstate 5 continues downhill at six percent grade before Exit 793. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 793, Bailey Hill Road. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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After the on-ramp from Bailey Hill Road, this Interstate 5 south reassurance shield is posted. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Continuing the descent, the next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 791, Inspection Station (one mile). All trucks must stop. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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A warning sign implores motorists to check their brakes as they descend from Siskiyou Mountain Summit and enter the Shasta Valley. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The following exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 790, Hornbrook Highway and Ditch Creek Road (one mile). This off-ramp is immediately after the Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Brakeless trucks are advised to use the left lane and avoid the Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Rental trucks and vehicles hauling livestock must depart the freeway into the Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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All trucks along Interstate 5 should prepare to stop at the Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Another pair of signs warn motorists without brakes to use the left lanes and avoid the Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 791, Inspection Station. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Soon thereafter, Interstate 5 south meets Exit 790, Hornbrook Highway and Ditch Creek Road. Use Hornbrook Highway south into Hornbrook or Ditch Creek Road west along Ditch Creek to provide local and ranch access. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 789, Siskiyou County A-28 (Copco Road) to Henley and Hornbrook (0.50 mile). Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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A-28 is a north-south county route that begins at Exit 789 and extends south through Henley, Ager (skirting the eastern edge of Black Mountain), and Montague before ending at Siskiyou County A-12 (99-97 Cutoff) in Grenada. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 789, Siskiyou County A-28 (Copco Road) to Henley and Hornbrook. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 786, California 96 (Klamath River Highway) southwest (three miles). A rest area (including visitors center) is located at Exit 786. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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An Interstate 5 south reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from A-28/Copco Road. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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This milage sign provides the distance to Yreka (12 miles) and San Francisco (323 miles). Yes, it really is that far to San Francisco from here. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 south approaches Exit 786, California 96 (Klamath River Highway) southwest and the Randolph Collier Rest Area. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Use California 96 (Klamath River Highway) west to the rest area and visitors center as well as the Klamath River Recreation Area. Old U.S. 99 follows a scenic path along California 263 south, which is accessible via Exit 786. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 786, California 96 (Klamath River Highway) southwest. Use this off-ramp to the Randolph Collier Rest Area. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 crosses over the mighty Klamath River. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Ten miles separate Exits 786 and 776. This reassurance shield for Interstate 5 south is posted after Exit 786, California 96 (Klamath River Highway) interchange. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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| To avoid passing through the Shasta River Canyon, this section of Interstate 5 was built in to ascend to the Anderson Grade Summit (el. 3,067 feet). Massive rock cuts and quick elevation gains were necessary to allow Interstate 5 to bypass the narrow canyon areas. Photos taken 05/25/08. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to Yreka (11 miles) and Redding (109 miles). Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 continues to gain elevation on the ascent to Anderson Grade Summit. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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... And Interstate 5 keeps going higher toward the summit. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 reaches 3,000 feet and nears Anderson Grade Summit. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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A massive rock cut was created to allow Interstate 5 to reach the summit. This section of highway was built between 1969 and 1970, replacing the historic U.S. 99 that now follows California 263 through the Shasta River Canyon. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 reaches Anderson Grade Summit at elevation 3,067 feet. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 780, Vista Point (one mile). This vista point offers a commanding view of the Shasta Valley. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Even a low cloud deck can't diminish the view of Shasta Valley. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 descends rapidly into Shasta Valley. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 780, Vista Point. This exit offers no facilities, just a nice view area. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Here is a look at the Vista Point parking area north of Yreka and downhill from Anderson Grade Summit. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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This view shows Interstate 5 crossing over the Shasta River as seen from the Vista Point. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Back on the mainline, Interstate 5 south crosses over the Shasta River. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 enters the city of Yreka, which is the seat of Siskiyou County. Yreka had a population of 7,765 as of the 2010 Census and was incorporated on April 21, 1857. Its motto is "Golden City." Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next three exits along Interstate 5 south serve Yreka: Exit 776, Business Loop I-5 south and California 3 to Yreka; Exit 775, Central Yreka - Miner Street and Center Street; and Exit 773 Business Loop I-5 (Moonlit Oaks Drive) to California 3 (Main Street) and Fort Jones Road. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 south approaches Exit 776, Business Loop I-5 south and California 3 to Yreka (one mile). California 3 travels east to Montague or west into Yreka; it then changes directions to turn south through Yreka and toward Fort Jones. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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A standalone trailblazer for California 3 east to Montague is also posted on the approach to Exit 776. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Business Loop I-5 follows California 3 (Montague Road) west to Historic U.S. 99 and California 263 (Main Street), then turns south along Main Street toward downtown Yreka. The business route is concurrent with California 3 all the way south to Moonlit Oaks Drive, where Business Loop I-5 turns east back to Interstate 5 Exit 773. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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A trailblazer also points the way to Historic U.S. 99. Missing is a trailblazer for Business Loop I-5. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 776, Business Loop I-5 south and California 3 west to Yreka and California 3 east to Montague. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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At the bottom of the off-ramp to Exit 776, turn right for Business Loop I-5 south and California 3 west to Yreka or turn left for California 3 east to Montague. The interchange is a standard diamond, so the freeway entrance back onto Interstate 5 south is visible here too. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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The next exit along Interstate 5 south is Exit 775, Central Yreka - Miner Street and Center Street (one-half mile). Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Reaching the bottom of the off-ramp from Exit 773, we find shields for both Business Loop I-5 and California 3. Turning right here onto Moonlit Oaks Road follows the business loop a short distance to the intersection with California 3; this interchange is not actually a full junction directly with California 3. Photo taken 05/25/08. |
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Interstate 5 southbound passes over Shastina Drive within the city of Weed, one mile north of the Exit 745 diamond interchange with South Weed Boulevard and East Vista Drive. South Weed Boulevard parallels the freeway southward from U.S. 97 and Business Loop I-5 through to Sugar Pine Road and Black Butte Drive in south Weed. Weed is a relatively young city, incorporated on January 25, 1961, with a population of 2,967 as of the 2010 Census. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Exit 745 departs Interstate 5 southbound for South Weed Boulevard north and Vista Drive east to Shastina Drive and Black Butte Drive. South Weed Boulevard doubles northward to the Exit 746 diamond interchange with U.S. 97 & Business Loop I-5 near Boles Street. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Weed lies west of the dormant volcano Mount Shasta. Rising to a height of 14,162 feet, the peak is snow covered most of the year. The town arch features the mountain prominently above the town name Weed. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Interstate 5 leaves Weed and approaches the diamond interchange (Exit 743) with Truck Village and Summit Drives. Truck Village Drive travels south from Weed and Black Butte Drive to the freeway and Summit Drive. Summit Drive continues the roadway parallel to Interstate 5 south. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Button copy mileage sign listing the distances to the California capital city and Mount Shasta City (Exit 740). Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Southbound at the Exit 743 ramp departure to Truck Village Drive north to Weed and Summit Drive south to Deetz Road west and Abrams Lake Road. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Black Butte rises to 6,325 feet and is adjacent to Interstate 5 between Weed and Mount Shasta City. The freeway crests at 3,912 feet at Black Butte Summit nearby. This scenic area owes itself to its volcanic past. Photos taken 04/01/05. |
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Departing the freeway next is Exit 741 for Abrams Lake Road on Interstate 5 south. Abrams Lake Road travels across the freeway between Old Stage Road (Old U.S. 99) and Spring Hill Road, an northbound side frontage road. Abrams Lake itself lies near the crossing of Old Stage Road and the Southern Pacific Railroad line to the west. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Interstate 5 continues southward from the Abrams Lake Road diamond interchange one mile to Mount Shasta City. Travel interests to California 89 south for McCloud and Mount Lassen should remain on the freeway through to Exit 736. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Exit 740 leaves Interstate 5 in the form of a wye interchange onto Business Loop I-5 (North Mount Shasta Boulevard). North Mount Shasta Boulevard ventures southeast to the one-way street couplet of Chestnut and Walnut Streets in downtown. Business Loop I-5 follows Ream Avenue south from there to South Mt. Shasta Boulevard and California 89. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Interstate 5 travels west of downtown Mt. Shasta City and meets Lake Street via the Exit 738 partial-cloverleaf interchange. Lake Street continues Hatchery Lane east from Old Stage Road to Chestnut & Walnut Streets in downtown and Everett Memorial Highway. Mount Shasta City began in 1854 as the town of Berrydale, named after the wild strawberry fields growing nearby. J.H. Sisson owned a lodge there in 1887 and platted the town site for the arrival of the railroad line. Residents voted to change the town name to Mount Shasta City in 1922. 5,700 people call the town home. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Interstate 5 and Business Loop I-5 (South Mt. Shasta Boulevard) both continue south to meet California 89 at the trumpet and wye interchanges of Exit 736. California 89 begins here and travels east nine miles to McCloud. The state route continues east from there to Kinyon, Bartle, and Pondosa in southern Siskiyou County. Further along California 89 is the trek through Lassen Volcanic National Park. The park entrance lies 92 miles southeast at the split of California 44 and 89. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
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Interstate 5 leaves Mount Shasta City and intersects Mott Road midway between California 89 and Dunsmuir. Pictured here is the 0.75-mile guide sign for Exit 732 (Dunsmuir Avenue / Siskiyou Avenue). Dunsmuir Avenue represents Business Loop I-5 and the old U.S. 99 through Dunsmuir. Siskiyou Avenue loops along the east side of Interstate 5 through Dunsmuir. Photos taken by Jerry Mullady (03/00). |
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Business Loop I-5 (Dunsmuir Avenue / old U.S. 99) parallels Interstate 5 closely through central Dunsmuir. Pictured here is the Exit 730 off-ramp onto Dunsmuir Avenue at the Siskiyou Avenue over crossing. Siskiyou Avenue ends at Dunsmuir Avenue near Pioneer Way to the right. Business Loop I-5 merges back onto the freeway in one third of a mile. Photo taken 04/01/05. |
Page Updated April 6, 2015.
