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Northern California is a completely different state than southern California, as the State of Jefferson Scenic Byway demonstrates through its diverse and uncrowded forest landscapes and its rich cultural history. The Native American, logging, mining, and fishing communities along the winding Klamath River experienced the rugged river canyon existence in the spirit of independence. So when the California lawmakers in the south ignored essential maintenance on their roads, the more outspoken citizens of the region seceded on November 27, 1941, proclaiming themselves the State of Jefferson, population 11,707. The secession blocked off roads at gunpoint every Thursday until early December, when the attack at Pearl Harbor put an abrupt end to the secession movement. Today, the State of Jefferson Scenic Byway runs along the Klamath, from Yreka's high desert climate in the east to the lush Siskiyou and Coastal Mountain forests closer to the coast. The byway sports numerous locations to launch your raft or kayak, with both whitewater sections to challenge experienced boaters and quieter sections for visitors to swim and explore. Visit abandoned mining camps, former colonies of Chinese immigrants and historic sites in the towns that thrived during the California Gold Rush. Learn the local legends born from the American settlers and the Shasta and Karuk Indians that still share this region. Stop at a pullout to search for the nests of bald eagles and herons, or perhaps to catch a fish. With its opportunities for adventure in its unspoiled forests and friendly communities, the State of Jefferson Scenic Highway goes miles to capture the natural, independent spirit of northern California.
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