Quick Summary of the ride:
26.19 mi. (Garman Edge) 28.3 (Google maps)
Rest Rm at Ft. Jones Chevron & at Shell Station in Etna. The old bowling alley across the street from the Chevron station makes a good starting place for cyclists, as there is plenty of parking for you and any buddies you might bring along.
Ascent: 332 Decent: 325
This ride can be a favorite for locals in the spring and the fall….as the ride is easy and the Valley floor can be so pretty as well as allow for early and late riding.
Starting in Ft. Jones, you will head South down East Side Road. The views are many and the ride is quite easy.
You will turn right on Horn Ln. (not marked). The turn is about 11.7 miles south from Ft. Jones. I use AT&T… and I had good enough signal to check maps to verify the road name.
Continue a short 1.14 miles to Hwy3 and make a right turn to head to Etna/Island Rd. Island road is about ¾ of a mile up Hwy3 where you will go right. There is a Shell station right in front of you if you need water, etc.
Continue down the center of the Valley on Island Rd for about 5.5 miles to Eller and go left. There is an old bridge on your right there that is pretty cool (it has a wooden floor). As you veer left up Eller….you have about ¼ mile to where you need to turn right onto Island Rd again (the road is not marked).
You will continue for about 3.74 miles before turning left onto
Serpa Ln (again, this road is not marked). Serpa Ln to Hwy3 is only about 1.17 miles…you will turn right onto Hwy3… and another 1.82 miles to finish your ride.
The valley is very pretty in the Spring and Fall, with all the snow on the mountains.
See you out there…
-Buzz Lawson
View Fort Jones to Etna Island Loop – Road Cycling Route in a larger map
Cycle Siskiyou would like to thank Buzz Lawson for going on a ride and capturing beautiful photos, first hand directions, and sharing his experience with us.