The Remote and Overlooked Valley In Northern California You'll Find Irresistibly Charming
By Jill S.|Published May 05, 2017
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Jill S.
Author
Jill is a freelance writer from a small Northern California town and lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you have an idea for an Only In Northern California story, email her at jsanford@onlyinyourstate.com.
Tucked away in the northeast corner of California is a valley that is so remote, most folks don’t even know it exists. Imagine a place filled with rural charm, a slow paced approach to life, and beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see. Your imagination doesn’t have to stretch too hard, Surprise Valley in Modoc County is just a car ride away.
Surprise Valley is also known as the tricorner region because it is where the boarders of Oregon, Nevada, and California meet. It is a high desert landscape that is desolate yet stunning.
Surprise Valley road and the southern end of Surprise Valley, not long after crossing the Nevada border. The surprisingly level long ridge across the middle of the picture is a ridge covered with a lava flow.
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Don't be surprised to see several old and crumbling buildings, such as this one. Here you can see the Flouring Mill in Lake City opened in 1868 and was still in operation in 1966.
This area's original Native American inhabitants called it the "The Smiles of God." Despite its remoteness, it really is a beautiful place, especially for those seeking solitude.
Make sure you stock up on emergency provisions, however. With no help for miles, it's not a place you want to try your luck if you run out of water or fuel.
First time visitors can pick up a a brochure at the BLM office in Cedarville, pack up a picnic lunch, and head off to experience the rugged beauty of the Great Basin.
Just east of the valley, take the self-guided 93-mile Surprise Valley-Barrel Springs Byway. During your drive, you just might run into a herd of wild mustangs, elk or antelope.
Especially if you are from the city, you'll be charmed by the rural way of life here. When driving along valley roads, it is customary to wave and smile at other drivers, horseback riders, and joggers.
Pictured here is the "B.F. Cambron Store, 1898" in Eagleville.
Surprise Valley is known as "Where the Pavement Ends and the West Begins!" Plan your visit as soon as possible (their mild summers are a great time to go!).
