If arriving from north of Yreka
I-5 south to 3rd and last Yreka exit, "Fort Jones-Trinity Center-Hwy 3". Take Highway 3 south through the towns of Ft. Jones, Greenview and Etna.
• Approx. 10 mi. south of Etna, on the east side of Hwy 3 and immediately south of the "Moore's Gravel" sign is the North Pond entrance.
• The Middle Ponds and Lodge access road is .9 miles south of the north pond entrance, turn left (east) at the sign that says "9814 S. Hwy 3". If you cross the bridge over Sugar Creek, you have gone too far. At the first fork, go left and uphill to reach the lodge, or straight to reach the Middle Ponds.
• The South Pond and Office entrance is .15 mile further south on the east side of Hwy 3 and immediately south of the Sugar Creek Bridge at the large white machine shop.
If arriving from south of Mt. Shasta
I-5 North to 3 mi. past Weed, take the "Edgewood-Gazelle, Stuart Hot Springs" exit. Go left under freeway and turn right on Old Hwy 99 towards Gazelle. In Gazelle turn left at the "Scott Valley-Callahan-27 miles" sign.
• The South pond and Office entrance is 2.5 mi. north of Callahan on east side of Hwy 3 at the large white machine shop.
• The Middle Ponds and Lodge road access is on your right (east) .15 mile further north at the sign "9814 S. Hwy 3", just past the bridge over Sugar Creek. At the first fork, go left and uphill to reach the lodge, or straight to reach the Middle Ponds.
• The North Pond entrance is .9 mi. further north on east side of Hwy 3 and immediately south of the "Moore's Gravel" sign.
Be Advised
This route is not recommended for winter travel. The top three miles of road at the summit has steep grades, a handful of sharp switchbacks, narrow shoulders, no guard rails and roadside dropoffs. The county snowplows do not operate at night, on weekends or holidays. We recommend continuing north to the Yreka exit.
This route in the summer and especially the fall is one of the most scenic drives in northern California, a drive through dense oak forests.
If arriving from the Lewiston/Trinity River area
Take Highway 3 north along the west side of Trinity Lake. After going up and over the summit, you come to the junction where the Weed-Gazelle-Callahan road comes in from the northeast to meet Highway 3. Continue north on Highway 3 to Callahan.
• The office and South pond entrance is 2.5 mi. north of Callahan on east side of Hwy 3 at the large white machine shop.
• The Middle Ponds and Lodge road access is .15 mile further north at the sign "9814 S. Hwy 3" and just past the bridge across Sugar Creek. At the first fork, go left and uphill to reach the lodge, or straight to reach the Middle Ponds.
• The North Pond entrance is .9 mi. further north on east side of Hwy 3 and immediately south of the "Moore's Gravel" sign.
Be Advised
This route is not recommended for winter travel.
