Question: Bigfoot Photo Op

Comment and question from D., "I'm sad to report that due to habitat loss, sasquatchs can no longer be found in Western Canada so a big part of the appeal of Cycle Oregon's visit to Jefferson State would be the propects of photographing a sasquatch up close. Do you think I could lure a creature close with peanut butter sandwiches and cold milk? Looking forward to my trip! Thank you; D. Wayne Mather Langley BC Canada(eh!)"

D., we're looking forward to hosting you as your elusive Sasquatch hunt continues. Around here we call him Bigfoot, and you can't throw a stick around here without hitting someone who claims to have seen Bigfoot in the mountains around Happy Camp.

There have been serious (?) attempts over the years to scientifically search for our beloved beast -- "Monster Hunters" was the most recent televised event with their nighttime listening stations placed in boats on the Klamath, downriver a bit from Happy Camp. I'm not sure if the peanut butter sandwich and cold milk trap has been tried yet, but I do know from personal experience that a six pack of warm Oly's (actually, only a five pack) and beef jerky do not work.

If you do not photograph the beast, there's always the giant metal sculpture of him as you enter town, and the wooden carving of him at the Post Office -- and plenty of other neat things to take pictures of on your ride. Here's a bumper sticker from the area for the last election.

Other local "legends" and oddities:

• Local Native American lore also places a mountain devil in the area, called a Putawan.
• The giant "spiderweb" you'll see in town doesn't mean there's a spider as big as a house running around loose. Someone built the (currently unverified) "World's Biggest Dreamcatcher" and put it up near Parry's Market.
• Locals say that you can regularly see UFO's from the top of Shinar's Saddle -- a mountain area close to the last big uphill climb on your way into Happy Camp on Highway 96. It's been explained that the fast moving "balls of light" are probably ground lightning, but rumor has it that an Area 52 exists near Klamath Falls and "alien technology" is being tested by "the government". Hmmmm. Not sure about that one, but doesn't every community have their little odd quirks?

D., let's hope that your Sasqutches return. Until then, feel free to look for them on your ride!

Question: Greyback Road

Submitted by a viewer, "How's the road over Grayback?"

I just went "over the hill" to Cave Junction a few days ago, and I paid especially close attention to the condition of the road.

For years there had been marked differences in the condition since roughly one half of the road is in California and the other is in Oregon. The winter snow drifts -- sometimes five to six feet -- that close down the seasonal road every year also add to the road erosion problems. In the past several years water runoff measures have been taken to keep the road in better condition.

Not being a road engineer, please take my descriptions with a grain of salt. The California side has recently been "black topped" or asphalted, and the condition is smooth and level. The center line markers -- at this point -- are the yellow tabs instead of paint. At the summit, someone has marked the "Cali" and "Oregon" line on the road with orange spray paint -- being a Greyback traveller since it was paved decades ago, there seems to always have been the painted marking.

At the painted line, you can see that the Oregon side is different. It is what we would call a standard paved mountain road -- with a few bumps and cracks here and there. It's not uncommon to see a small section of the road, usually on the downhill side, slouching a little bit due to the erosion under the road. The "slouch" causes a little bump -- worse ones get taken care of.

There is one spot in the road -- currently -- where road repair is happening due to a gully washout. The small detour to the side is probably less than 50 yards, and is not paved. Hopefully the road repair will be done by the time you all show up.

If it were me, I'd watch my speeds on the downhill side -- there are some areas where keeping it on the road is very important. Also, when you see the 10 mph caution sign and "whoa!" painted on the road (by the same state line painter?) -- it signals the beginning of one hairpin switchback.

It's a beautiful, beautiful ride. We can't wait to welcome all of you!

Question: Happy Camp Gasoline Availability

User Question: "I've heard that gasoline isn't available in Happy Camp. Is that true?"

Answer: Although all of the traditional gas stations have been closed in Happy Camp for some time, there is a cardlock station that offers gasoline and diesel. It's to the left and down the hill a bit as you enter town on Highway 96, and it's called Connor Cardlock. It should take all debit and credit cards -- you do not have to be a member. There is also a cardlock 18 miles before you reach Happy Camp, in the small town of Seiad. The next closest station is in Cave Junction, around thirty miles away -- over Greyback into Oregon.