Calif 299 between Redding and Arcata

[esbeasley]

Anyone done this route ? In the truck atlas it shows as a non-designated truck route. I was wondering about taking a 34' fifth wheel across it. Thanks !

[deleted-2]

dave54 wrote:

36 Red Bluff to Almanor is a snoozer. A few curves at Lassen Lodge, and some minor curves going over Morgan Summit east of Mineral. The rest is good straight road with lots of turnouts. Living in the Almanor area I drive it multiple times per year without any problem. It is a restful drive, even towing in snow.

Well it wasn't much of a snoozer for us on that particular trip.
Had a lot of weight on, driving for most of the day and a carsick dawg with a grouchy wife on-board lol...

Pretty much have never had good memories with 36 for some reason.
Bad luck road for us...lost a complete tent in rainstorm along there years back from the rack on our old Landcruiser.
Ahh the memories 🙂

[Camorhino]

The 299 is being widened and a lot of the curves removed between Whiskey Town Lake and Weaverville. Still has a grade, and down the other side into Junction City, just watch the down hill speed. Several spots of road work and bridge widening that will cause a little slow up east of Willow Creek, but from Willow Creek on is about 45 mins to the coast. Just there 2 weeks ago. I highly recommend Big Foot Grill in Willow Creek for a food stop!

[MarkTwain]

Hwy. 36 out of Red Bluff is good for motorcycles and goats:):):)

[coolbreeze01]

36 isn't for every traveler. It requires skill, good equipment, and an enjoyment of mountain driving 😉

[dave54]

Thats_Ok wrote:

scroller95969 wrote:
Just don't take Hwy. 36 to the coast from Red Bluff. Did that once pulling a trailer and was not happy.

...Like an idiot I tried it from Red Bluff to Almanor last year pulling 30 foot fiver.
We were so beat after getting to Rocky Point.
Me will never do that again!

????

36 Red Bluff to Almanor is a snoozer. A few curves at Lassen Lodge, and some minor curves going over Morgan Summit east of Mineral. The rest is good straight road with lots of turnouts. Living in the Almanor area I drive it multiple times per year without any problem. It is a restful drive, even towing in snow.

Back to the OP -- 299 is a mountain road with grades and curves. No worse than any other mountain road, and better than many.

36 Red Bluff to Arcata is a white knuckler for towing. I've done it, prefer not to do it again. It is fun with a sports car or motorcycle.

[elkhorn98]

36 between red bluff and lake almanor is like a walk in the park compared to the other side that goes to the coast.

[deleted-2]

scroller95969 wrote:
Just don't take Hwy. 36 to the coast from Red Bluff. Did that once pulling a trailer and was not happy.

36 is a pain even in the other direction!
Like an idiot I tried it from Red Bluff to Almanor last year pulling 30 foot fiver.
We were so beat after getting to Rocky Point.
Me will never do that again!

[scroller95969]

Just don't take Hwy. 36 to the coast from Red Bluff. Did that once pulling a trailer and was not happy.

[knshook]

cpaulsen wrote:
299 is a good road.....it is not a freeway!! I pulled my 5ver over and back many times with no problems.

X2 never had a problem....pretty country!

[crabbin_cabin]

We pulled our 32 ft fiver westbound on that route a couple of years ago. Beautiful and scenic BUT steep and curvy!! have not been that way since.
John

[coolbreeze01]

I agree with Marv Hoag. It depends on where you are headed. For years we drove 36 because it was handy. Certainly not for everyone :C

[Marv_Hoag]

From I-5 there are three routes into northern CA. Hwy 199 from Grants Pass into Crescent City, Hwy 299 from Redding to Arcata, and Hwy 20 from Williams to Hwy 101 towards Willits. I've used all three of these routes. I don't prefer one over the other. They all have their plus and minuses. All three will have truck traffic. Which hwy to use depends on where you're coming from and where you're headed. Which ever way you travel, it is not fast, so enjoy the journey.

[cpaulsen]

299 is a good road.....it is not a freeway!! I pulled my 5ver over and back many times with no problems.

[deleted-2]

Haven't been over 'ole 299 in a while.
Thing my DW always says is "shorts and tank top in Redding...hoody and long pants in Arcata" or vice-versa 🙂