Mt. Shasta-Cascade Loop (page 3 of 5)

Points 9-11

9. Lava Beds National Monument
Switch onto Rte.139 south, which passes through Tule Lake, then leads to the well-marked turnoff to Lava Beds National Monument, one of the stops on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, an All- American Road that continues down Rte. 49. After skirting the southern shores of Tule Lake, the road passes through a region that was once scorched under sinuous rivers of lava, which cooled into an array of formations, including bluffs and caves. On the area's younger rocks -- some about a thousand years old -- lichens have gained a toehold, the first step in transforming the stones into soil.

Eagles and hawks -- their aeries safely hidden among the cliffs -- might be seen soaring above. On land deer and pronghorns share living space with stealthier animals such as marmots and foxes. Stop by the national monument's visitor center, complete with interpretive displays, for helpful information.

10. Ash Creek Wildlife Area
After returning to Rte. 139, the drive passes through an isolated wilderness, where the facilities are few and scattered. To the east o f this area lie the vast high deserts of California and Nevada. B e f o re the town of Adin, the highway again climbs into the mountains and crests at 5,188 feet. Black basalt and gray ash -- more reminders of past volcanism -- can be seen along the way. Grazing grounds and alfalfa fields then come into view, and just off the highway at Ash Creek Wildlife Area, some 14,000 acres offer yet another bird-watcher's haven.

11. Fall River Mills
Fly-fishing connoisseurs rave about the spring-fed brooks outside Fall River Mills, a mountain town perched at an elevation of about 3,400 feet. In the mid-1800s a pair of mills operated here, one a sawmill for processing lumber, the other a gristmill for making flour. Exploring the local streets, visitors can take in an old blacksmith shop and jail at Fort Crook Museum, which also houses exhibits of the pioneers and native American artifacts.

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• Nevada 93
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• Mt. Hood-Columbia River Gorge Loop
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“ After the holidays, maintain your exercise program (exercise is a great antidote for fatigue, depression and overindulging). ”

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