California Surveyors Forums

I'm planning a family vacation to Northern CA and my route is taking me right past - well, in the vicinity - of the Humboldt Initial Point. Google Earth makes it look like a pretty good gravel road up to the point but looks can be deceiving. Can any of your Northerners enlighten this Southerner with regards to the road to the Initial Point?

Since this is a road trip vacation, I'm being gas thrifty and taking the Mazda 3 rather than my F150.

Can I make it?

There is a gate, it's on private property. Call Dave Ryan the county surveyor (707)268-3762, he knows how to get in and can advise...

I was up there a couple of years ago, we have a Repeater up there. It seems like the road is reasonably decent (they usually are) but I drove up there in a 4WD F250. It's owned by a private timber company. One original BT still stands (westerly-it still sticks up, pretty obvious-everything else around it is small) and one (northerly) is a stump. The USCGS tri station is also the initial point.

Monument Road out of Rio Dell is paved up to the turnoff, then the last 3 miles or so is dirt on Humboldt Redwood Co. property that I've gone up in the family van. There may be some ruts, but it should be OK. Most of the time they just leave the gate open during the day, but there is a chance it won't be, in which case you'd need a key from HRC, whose office is in Scotia. Heck it's a nice drive, so I'd just chance it that it will be open.

I'd be happy to share any information I have or answer any other questions. Look me up when you're up here.

Dave Ryan,
Humboldt County

While you are up that way, if time permits, drive down the "Lost Coast". You can access (on the north) through Ferndale, continue right through town until you hit a windy road. Follow it along the coast for about 70 miles. It will come out at Garberville at HWY 101. It is quite an experience!

Thanks for all the advice; however, as it always happens, plans have changed and we are not going to make it over there this trip. Hopefully next year though.

Thanks again!

Hey Marty,
It sounds like the family heard your plans, and the boss decided to stay and go to Disneyland instead. Maybe she like traversing up the Matterhorn better, lol???

No, not the case. Just realized everything we wanted to do wouldn't fit into the week so we are just doing Sacramento this trip to show my son the Capitol (and me, I'm from MO and haven't been to CA's Capitol yet). I have had enough Disney since we live about 15 minutes away. WAAAAY to crowded and I would need a loan just to afford tickets now!

Old Sacramento, The Old Governor's Mansion and Capitol Park are all worth a visit. Also the California State Railroad Museum, The State Library (on Capitol Mall, south side, just west of the Capitol) are really good too. Hardly anyone visits the State Library which also houses the California Court of Appeals, Third District. We have a lot of good places to drink beer too, among them The Rubicon brew pub which has an excellent Irish Dry Stout. If you like cocktails try the Shady Lady on R&14th Streets.

Thanks for the info!