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

Smith River Canyon, California

The 1986 Gasquet Toll Roads

This section, a distance of about seven miles, is the only section that is not on the Old Redwood Stage Road route. The old road continued on the east side of the river across from Highway 199. You will be back on the historic route again at the beginning of the next section.

SET YOUR ODOMETER TO ZERO and turn right on Highway 199 to continue the tour. Drive 2.0 miles to the next point of interest.

0.0 Gasquet Store and Post Office

2.0 French Hill Road (left): Continue straight ahead on Highway 199. French Hill road follows the approximate route as the Old Redwood Stage Road for about a mile before the old road turned to follow a ridge down river toward the coast. For the next five miles, Highway 199 will be on one side of the river and the old highway will be on the other. You will merge with the old road again in the beginning of the next section. The pictures below may have been taken on this section and will help provide an idea of what this road may have looked like when travelers used this route between 1886-1922.

2.1 Peacock Bridge was named in honor of Mary Adams-Peacock who owned a popular lodge and restaurant adjacent to the Old Redwood Stage Road. Her enterprise was located near to Gasquet.

Note how the canyon becomes more narrow in this section of road. You are now passing through another section of ocean crust. The ocean crust will end just after you cross the the South Fork Smith River Bridge in the next part of the tour.

3.3 Hardscrabble Creek Bridge: Hardscrabble Creek was named by packers carrying supplies from Crescent City to the gold mining communities of southern Oregon in the early 1850s. The banks of the creek were steep and the mules had a "hard scrabble" to climb up from the creek crossing.

Look for redwood trees next to the road a short distance ahead. Six Rivers National Forest is the only national forest in the nation with coast redwood trees.

6.9 Start slowing down and get ready to make the LEFT TURN on South Fork Road. The sign (right) will appear suddenly as you come around a curve. There is no turning lane so start slowing traffic down now incase you need to come to a complete stop to wait for on coming traffic to pass.

7.1 South Fork Road to Howland Hill Scenic Drive and Stout Grove: TURN LEFT to continue tour.

SET ODOMETER TO ZERO immediately before crossing the bridge.

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...