Has anyone ridden CA hwy 70 aka the Feather River hwy

[Nyimbo]

I was considering lake Oroville to lake Almanor and from there on up 89 to ride through Lassen National Park.   I,ve been through Lassen by car several times but I have never ever been on the hwy 70 section. On the map it looks like it follows the Feather river all the way up the mountain.  I've got a few days for a short trip in Sept?


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[cgarch]

Yep. Tough call . . It's got a hard climb on 4 lane road to Jarbo Gap but the descent to the canyon is pretty good. There are many sections of the road with no shoulder and there is moderate to heavy truck traffic. There are many good sections of the road. It is as scenic as it can get. Once you turn off to CA 89 north the traffic drops but the shoulders don't get any better. After Greenville, there's another long climb to get up to Lake Almanor. I think it's a good route, just depends on your stomach for a tight road. If you take your time and don't mind dodging traffic every now and then, it'll work. I think it's better than CA 32. BTW, the attached pic was taken during Thanksgiving Black Friday, which is a great time to ride the canyon without any traffic.

[Nyimbo]

Thanks for the information, that is very helpful info with the good and the bad.  Since I live in the foothills I do 95% of my riding on roads without shoulders but, the majority of those roads have light traffic.  I have ridden hwy 49 from Auburn to Bullards Bar Reservoir, and the traffic is heavy but with shoulders most of the way, (Auburn to Grass Valley is the heaviest), but I don't enjoy that type of  riding nearly as much as a shoulder-less road with light traffic and very few trucks.  So, not sure what to think on 70. 

I know September will reduce the summer holiday traffic but I would guess not logging trucks and so on.  I would like to do some camping and exploring in Lassen Park but that would only be about 2 days worth, and I have 4 days planned, so not sure.  I guess I could just take the car up to Lassen and to the short riding around Lassen and  then drive down to Truckee and spend 2 days enjoying a leisurely ride around Tahoe, I've done Tahoe a few times before.  Anyway, thanks again for your help and the great picture.

[cgarch]

Actually, I don't think you will see much logging traffic - more like cargo trailers headed to Reno - both bulk and liquids. It's definitely doable. The only other caveat [for anyone else interested in this thread] is that there are two adjacent tunnels on the route in the lower section (west) that require lights. It's not that you couldn't ride without, but you would be foolish to not be well lit in these, as the easterly of the two is quite long and on a climb going east. I think the canyon is an absolutely great ride and worth the hassles. I find the squeals and eerie noises that accompany the trains threading their way through the canyon an interesting auditory experience, but that may not be everyone's cup of tea.

cg

[Nyimbo]

Cgarch, is there any chance you know anything about the 162 road, Oroville Quincy Highway?  It looks like it wonders around a bit more, than 70 but  might be a beautiful country ride - it might have some impressive grades as well.


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