California State Route 89

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State Route 89
(CS&HC Section 389)
Length:	243 mi[1] (391 km)
Major junctions:
US-395	MNO 0.00
SR-4	ALP 9.96
SR-88	ALP 21.41
	ALP 21.42
US-50	ED 8.55
	ED 8.56
SR-28	PLA 8.61
I-80	NEV 0.54
	NEV 0.55
SR-49	SIE 15.06
	SIE 19.06
SR-70	PLU 8.71
	PLU 8.72
SR-147	PLU 29.59
SR-36	PLU 42.18
	TEH 0.00
SR-44	SHA 0.00
SR-299	SHA 21.72
I-5	SIS 34.62
Major cities:	Markleeville South Lake Tahoe Truckee Graeagle McCloud Mt. Shasta
California State Routes < SR 88 SR 90 > Unconstructed - Deleted - Freeway - Scenic

State Route 89 is a California State Highway that travels in North-South direction, and is the major thoroughfare for many mountain communities. It starts from U.S. Highway 395 near Topaz Lake, winding its up to the 8,314 ft. (2,534 m) Monitor Pass, down to the Carson River, and up again over the 7,740 ft. (2,359 m) Luther Pass. From that point on, the route generally loses elevation on its way past Lake Tahoe, through Tahoe and Plumas National Forests until Lake Almanor. The route then ascends to the 5,753 ft. (1,753 m) Morgan Summit. After it enters Lassen Volcanic National Park it continues to gain elevation until it reaches its highest point in an unnamed pass in the middle of Lassen Peak and Bumpass Mountain; being Northern California's highest road at 8,512 ft. (2,594 m). The road then descends and heads northwest, finally terminating at Interstate 5 at the foot of Mt. Shasta at around 3,600 ft. (1,100 m).

The portion of CA-89 that runs through Lassen Volcanic National Park is closed in winter due to very heavy snowfall and snowpack. When it is open, a park fee is charged. At the other park entrance in the northwest corner, CA-89 temporarily ends, but one can continue along CA-44 to the northeast. CA-89 resumes northward approximately 13 miles (21 km) later.

From the junction with CA-147, through the park and including the gap on CA-44, to its terminus at I-5, CA-89 is part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway.

The section of CA-89 from CA-70 north to Crescent Mills was built over the abandoned railway bed of the Indian Valley Railroad.

The section of CA-89 from CA-88 north to US-50 is co-signed as US-50 Alternate for use as a detour for when US-50 closes.

[edit] Points of interest

Listed in order of south to north.

• A Pony Express remount station in Woodfords, that was in use for only five weeks (California Historical Landmark #805).
• The Lake Tahoe Outlet Gates (CHL #797) in Tahoe City. Control of these gates was the source of the two-decade "Tahoe Water War" between lakeshore owners and downstream Truckee River water users.
• Plumas-Eureka State Park, containing a well-preserved Johnsville, a well-preserved '49er town, and Pioneer Ski Area, the first sport skiing area in the Western hemisphere.
• Lake Almanor
• Lassen Volanic National Park, many points of interest, including Brokeoff Mountain, Sulphur Works, Lake Helen and Bumpass Hell, Lassen Peak, Summit Lake, and more.

[edit] State law

Legal Definition of Route 89: California Streets and Highways Code, Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 389

Route 89 is part of the Freeway and Expressway System, as stated by section 253.1 of the California State Highway Code.

Route 89 is part of the Scenic Highway System, as stated by section 263.1 of the California State Highway Code.

[edit] External links

• WestCoast Roads- California 89
• Caltrans: Route 89 highway conditions
• California Highways: CA-89