Experience geological marvels and commune with the past as you traverse 120 constantly amazing and informative miles. Located between a historic logging town and a culturally rich agricultural haven, the byway navigates travelers through diverse terrain. You�ll find alien landscapes which served as the training ground for astronauts before the first moon landing, along with traditional terrain for outdoor enthusiasts seeking further unity with nature.
Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway begins its journey in the shadow of the venerable Mount Shasta. Believed by natives to be the home of the Great Spirit, Mount Shasta attracts seekers of spiritual renewal. Mountain climbers and winter sports fans spend their time on its faces as well. The tiny town of McCloud lies at the base of the mountain, treating visitors to a step into the past. Stroll through streets lined with perfectly preserved architecture from the 10s and 20s and imagine life in this once fully self-sufficient logging town.
A trip down the byway takes a surprising turn as you enter its heart. As recently as two hundred years ago, heavy volcanic activity formed surreal landscapes that stretch for tens of thousands of acres. Encounter islands of fir, ponderosa, and lodgepole amidst black obsidian as far as the eye can see at Burnt Lava Flow Geological Area. Swim in a crystalline lake nestled in the caldera of Medicine Lake Highlands, the Cascades' largest volcano. Spelunk through a multitude of impossibly smooth caves with a ranger or on your own in Lava Beds National Monument. Tread softly through Captain Jack's Stronghold, where fifty Modoc Indians and their families took advantage of a natural volcanic fortress and held off over a thousand US Army troops for five months during the Modoc War. A religious shrine to some, the stronghold haunts visitors with its tales of bravery, suffering, and loss.
The northern end of the byway thrives with wildlife of all sorts due to several large chunks of protected land. Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, and Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuges provide a sanctuary for abundant waterfowl and birds of prey, including the largest population of bald eagles in the continental United States. Starting in December, these wetlands fill with hundreds of them, and visitors are treated to their morning flyouts. Pelicans, antelopes, and mule deer also call the area home, as well as the increasingly elusive Sage Grouse.
Your journey along the byway ends near the Oregon border in Tulelake, a source for world-famous horseradish. One third of the nation's horseradish crop is produced in this extremely fertile soil, along with potatoes and other produce. Like McCloud, Tulelake�s rich history is on display everywhere. Once a Modoc Indian community and later a World War II Japanese internment camp, Tulelake provides a museum in which curious visitors can wander.
