County Route A12 (California)

Infobox_CA_Co
highway_name = County Route A12
marker_

alternate_name = 99-97 Cutoff
length = convert|17.9|mi|km
direction = West/East
starting_terminus = Old 99 Highway near Grenada
major_junctions =
ending_terminus =
cities = Grenada
established = 1959
system = Siskiyou County highway

County Route A12, known locally as the "99-97 cutoff", or more commonly, "the 97 cutoff", is a 2 lane rural highway with a length of convert|17.9|mi|km. [http://www.cahighways.org/countya.html#A12]

Route summary

A12 begins in the west at its junction with Old 99 Highway, which was once US 99. Just a few dozen yards to the east, it intersects Interstate 5. Its eastern terminus is at US 97, convert|12|mi|km north of Weed.

One mile east of the Interstate junction, it passes through the tiny village of Grenada, the only population center of any merit along the route. convert|7|mi|km further east is the burg Mayten, which consists only of a convenience store, a church, and an elementary school.

The route is heavily used by travellers and truckers southbound on Interstate 5 who wish to use US 97 northbound en route to Klamath Falls and points north. This route saves over convert|13|mi|km than if the alternative routing via I-5 to Weed, then north on US 97 was used. Hence, the local name "97 cutoff".

The western two-thirds of the route passes through agricultural areas, and is very reminiscent of two-lane farm roads in California's Central Valley. However, the eastern portion is very scenic, passing through an area with towering dark red crags and buttes to the north.

References