Adventures in history: The Old Redwood Stage Road of Oregon and California

Smith River Canyon, California

The 1886 Gasquet Toll Road

SET YOUR ODOMETER TO ZERO and TURN RIGHT on Highway 199 to continue the tour.

0.0 Intersection of South Fork Road and Highway 199.

This part of the tour is about seven miles in length and is the only section that is not on the Old Redwood Stage Road route. The two photos below may provide an idea of what this section of the road once looked like. The old road merges again with Highway 199 at French Hill Road about five miles from here.

The canyon becomes narrow in this section of tour and many people on Highway 199 stop to enjoy the scenic canyon at this turnout. This steep walled canyon is a section of ancient ocean crust with rock that is resistant to erosion. When the Gasquet Toll Road was constructed in the 1880s, it was easier to go around these rocks than try to construct the road through them. It was probably for this reason that the old road was routed about half way up the mountain slope on the other side of the canyon.

If you look across the canyon or watch the trees along the road as you drive you may be able to recognize the many redwood trees growing in the canyon. Six Rivers National Forest is the only national forest in the nation with coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). The redwood forest ends at French Hill Road, about five miles ahead.

3.8 Hardscrabble Creek Bridge: This creek was named by packers leading strings of pack mules carrying supplies from Crescent City to the gold rush mining communities of southern Oregon. The walls of the creek were steep and the mules had a "hard scrabble" to get up them from the creek crossing.

4.9 Mary Adams-Peacock Bridge. Named after Mary Adams (Aunt Mary) who owned a popular lodge and restaurant on the Old Redwood Stage Road near Gasquet.

5.1 French Hill Road: French Hill Road intersects the tour route from the right. Old maps show the Old Redwood Stage Road coming down the mountain following the same general grade as the present-day French Hill Road and continuing from this intersection toward Gasquet along the same general route as Highway 199.

7.1 Gasquet Market and Post Office. You will TURN LEFT on the road just past the store.
ZERO YOUR ODOMETER as you turn on to this road.

Next...

________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...