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California’s Second-largest River

Klamath River, Siskiyou County (10/19/19) Mel Fechter

The Klamath River in UpState California is impressive.

It’s the state’s second-largest river, flowing 257 miles through Oregon and California. At peak flows, the river moves 557,000 cubic feet of water per second toward the Pacific Ocean.

National Geographic described it as the upside down river, because it begins in the high deserts of eastern Oregon and flows toward the mountains.

The Klamath was inhabited as early as 7,000 years ago, with good reason. Salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout had adapted to its unusually high water temperatures and flourish in its waters.

An interesting variety of deciduous trees grow near the Klamath River, including: Garry’s oak, black oak, Fremont and black cottonwood, numerous alder, ash and dogwood, bigleaf maple, even California walnuts and Klamath plums.

Because of its remoteness, we get few photographs of fall color along the Klamath. Though, when we do, they’re spectacular like Mel Fechter’s shot of the wild river with no sign of structures, roads or mankind … only orange and yellow oaks.

  • Klamath River Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
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