We were in Arcata Ca. this week, in Northern Ca. and started to drive to the Bay Area. There was a mudslide south of Garberville on Hwy 101 and we were forced to take a detour on Ca. route 36. This was 137 miles of curves and little traffic to contend with. And even those cars we came upon pulled over. The only problem was we were in the Outback and the MCS is in the garage because of the snow at home ( We live up by Tahoe). However, this summer we're coming back! Hwy 37 is between Ca. Hwy 101 and Interstate 5 connecting Red Bluff and Fortuna.

 

Highway 36 is the best twisty road in California - according to many people - and I agree.

I was there with two other MINI's on Saturday, Dec. 17th and we were OK for ice for the first 45 miles or so from Highway 101, but as we went over the first 4000' pass - lots of ice and slush and 32-33 degrees air temp. We had to slow way down and search for traction for about 55 miles till we got down in elevation.

That section of roller coaster twisties on 36 about 30 miles out from Red Bluff is absolutely unique in California - highly recommended

 

Having made that drive i agree with the above comments,you would have to look far and wide to find a better road with twisties.Q

 

This could be a great part of the REME first leg for the June Shasta Run. Peter has planned to leave Healdsburg on Friday AM (June 23) and head North on 101, then I think he plans to cutoff at 502, then to 36. Is this the same area you guys are talking about? If so, how would this road be for a group of 20+ Minis? This would be summer so it should be dry.

Thanks,

 

Norm the road is in good shape,at least it was last August when i drove to Eurkea.One of the best points about the drive as noted above is the lack of traffic.I followed not one car or truck until we approached the end of 36 where it joined 101.Opposite direction 3 motorcycles,couple of pickups,and 4-5 cars.There is only one place where you could make a stop for head calls,as i recall i believe they were portapottys.Q Actually i had to stop to go behind a tree.

 

Has anyone been on Hwy 120 between Moccasin and Priest? Its quite steep and has lots of twisties. I drove it last October after our trip from Palm Springs through Yosemite. Lots of fun.

 

Q....you are right on Sandie and I drove it last year as well and it was a blast. Can be a bit unsettling when you crest some over the "whoops" and have NO CLUE which way the road goes, but by far, the best 137 miles I've ever driven. You have to watch out deer and other animals tho. Make sure you have a full tank, 'cuz there aren't any gas stations along the way. There is also a way to connect with SR36 out of Redding, but not sure what the road is like and don't recall the #. Spirited driving for 137mi will certainly give you an addrenaline rush........and the beer at the end is SO much sweeter.
It would be a great run for 20+ MINI's with plenty of miles to swap leaders. You have to be in the lead to fully appreciate the "whoops". Just ask Sandie!!
Just make sure that everything is "nailed" down inside the car, because IT WILL MOVE!!! Including water in the ice chest.

 

JP, that's a nice piece of road too. I haven't done it since 1980, when I was greatly outdistanced by a Morgan +4 coming down it.

 

Hello,
planning on driving highway120 (TIOGA PASS) this summer...I drove it with a moded out 325e BMW...what a blast... ...Now have to drive it in my MCS...expect the same results if not better.....

 

Awsome road as Willum said, for those who like spirited driving it's a blast.

 

Sorry to catch this post so late. My in-laws live in Fortuna . . . we get there via Hwy 36. Sweet road although it is hard to get too aggressive due to the uncertain conditions and rare but "in your face" oncoming traffic. In addition to the great twists . . . the fact the road melts into a driveway and then reappears as a road . . . the great "be ready to brake" descent to the coast . . . and the redwoods which require the road to adjust around them. Hot to cool . . . now you're talking!

As for the best California Road? I'm currently infatuated with CA120 east of Lee Vining. So many good California Roads! My family has a cabin in Denny and the Denny road (which goes nowhere else) is 19 miles to the town . . . 45 minutes is fast. You always pass two cars and one of them meets you head on under the flume where it is only one lane wide! Currently on fire, however.

Of course, being a New Mexican, what do I know about California roads? Somehow, on the way west, my kid has identified some of the longest straight stretches. He would know exactly, but its into the 20 miles plus. I suppose this is nothing to a plainsman. We recently did a long stretch in New Mexico past the VLA (Very Large Array) and ended up (after some curves and thunderstorms) in Pie Town.

Best Pie. Try pear pie in Pie Town . . . do a green chile cheeseburger while waiting for it to cool.

 

Many of the California runs are archived on the Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiast website (www.redwoodempiremini.com). There are downloadable maps that are free for everyones use.

 

Great looking web site! I'll definitely spend some time with those PDFs before our next trip to Fortuna/Denny (maybe around Thanksgiving).

 

The grossglockner pass in Austria ,deemed to be one of the most demanding roads to drive a car on ,due to the changes in gradients .14 miles long at a height of 6,500ft to the summit at 8,200ft and down the valley with a maximum gradient of 12%, 1-8 .total distance is 30 miles

 

A couple of more pics from that road in Austria

 

Passo della Stelvio ,Italy....this is fun to drive

 

Here's a great road, but keep it a secret! Calaveras Road from Milpitas north to I-680 near Hwy-37 in the California East Bay Area. Discovered it by accident, and finished with a maniacal grin on my face! About 20 miles of the twistiest road I have ever been on.

http://www.bayareamiataassociation.c.../east_bay.html