Guides/Overland routes/California
Overland route31 midifficulty: easy

Cecilville to Callahan Road

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Cecilville to Callahan Road — overland route near Etna, California, California
Prindleman — CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
31mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Standard passenger vehicle in summer; high-clearance 2WD or 4WD if winter snowpack lingers in spring.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None on the central segment. Service returns at Cecilville, Callahan, and Etna.
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The Cecilville-Callahan Road is the 31-mile single-lane paved-and-gravel mountain crossing between the South Fork Salmon River at Cecilville and the Scott Valley at Callahan. The road climbs over Carter Meadows Summit at 5,250 feet through Klamath National Forest's Salmon River and Scott River Ranger Districts, threading the narrow saddle between the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Russian Wilderness. Cecilville sits 60 miles deep in the Salmon River drainage and the road is its primary connection to the Scott Valley.

The surface is paved on most of the eastern half from Callahan and gravel on the western half from Cecilville. The road is single lane in many places with limited turnouts; passing requires planning. Snow closes the pass from December through April most years. Despite the modest length, the route's isolation and the seriousness of the canyons make it a real overland commitment. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the road at the summit.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter closure. The pass closes from December through April most years.
  • Single-lane sections. Many sections are one lane with limited turnouts. Use pullouts and yield to oncoming traffic.
  • Steep grades. The eastern climb out of Scott Valley has 8% grades.
  • Wildfire closures. The Salmon-Scott country has burned in recent fire seasons. Check for active closures.
  • No services. No fuel and no cell service on the central segment.

Location

31 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 41.296, -123.105

Current conditions

Live weather

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townEtna, California
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r05/klamath
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location41.296, -123.105

Getting there

Directions

From Callahan (eastern entry). From Yreka, take SR-3 south about 30 miles to Callahan. Cecilville Road leaves SR-3 on the west edge of Callahan.

From SR-96 (western approach via Somes Bar). Take SR-96 south to Somes Bar at the Klamath-Salmon confluence. Follow the Salmon River Road east 25 miles to Cecilville, then continue on Cecilville Road to Callahan.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The road sits at the heart of Klamath NF's Salmon-Scott corridor, the most remote section of the forest. The eastern terminus is at Callahan in the Scott Valley, on SR-3 between Yreka and Weaverville. The western terminus is at Cecilville at the confluence of Cecil Creek and the South Fork Salmon River; from Cecilville, the Salmon River Road continues 35 paved miles to Forks of Salmon and out to Somes Bar on SR-96.

Trail Overview

Thirty-one miles point-to-point. The eastern 18 miles from Callahan are paved single-lane through Scott River Valley meadows and steep canyon climbs to Carter Meadows Summit. The western 13 miles from the summit to Cecilville are gravel through the South Fork Salmon River canyon. There are no technical obstacles; the road's challenge is its narrowness and the seriousness of the drop-offs into the canyons.

Points of Interest

  • Carter Meadows Summit. The 5,250-foot pass with PCT trailhead and parking. The Trinity Alps Wilderness lies south; the Russian Wilderness lies north.
  • Trail Creek Campground. USFS-developed campground in the Scott Valley side, with creek access and primitive sites.
  • Pacific Crest Trail. Crosses the road at the summit; one of the more remote PCT access points in northern California.
  • South Fork Salmon River. The river runs along the road's western half. Native steelhead and salmon runs.
  • East Fork Campground. USFS-developed campground at Cecilville on the South Fork Salmon River.
  • Trinity Alps Wilderness. Designated wilderness south of the road; granite peaks and high lakes.

Where to Camp

Trail Creek Campground (USFS-developed) sits on the eastern half. East Fork Campground (USFS-developed) sits at Cecilville. Both have primitive sites and vault toilets; most are first-come, first-served. Dispersed camping is allowed on Klamath NF land off the main road with the standard 14-day stay limit, and the corridor has turnouts and side spurs that work as primitive sites.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Run east-to-west to face the inside of the canyon turns on the gravel descent.
  • Watch the season. Snow closes the pass from December through April most years.
  • Carry a spare and a plug kit. The gravel sections puncture sidewalls.
  • Cell service drops fast. Carry an offline map or inReach.
  • The Salmon River Ranger District (530-468-5351) and Scott River Ranger District (530-468-5351) handle current conditions.
  • Combine with the Salmon River Road from Cecilville west for a remote loop through the Salmon-Scott country.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Cecilville to Callahan Road?
Cecilville to Callahan Road is rated easy. The route runs 31 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Cecilville to Callahan Road?
Standard passenger vehicle in summer; high-clearance 2WD or 4WD if winter snowpack lingers in spring.
When is the best time to visit Cecilville to Callahan Road?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Cecilville to Callahan Road?
None on the central segment. Service returns at Cecilville, Callahan, and Etna.