County Route A12 (California)

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County Route A12

99-97 Cutoff
Length	17.9 miles (28.8 km)
Direction	West/East
From	Old 99 Highway near Grenada
Major junctions
To
Major 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 17.9 miles (28.8 km).[1]

[edit] 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, 12 miles (19 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. 7 miles (11 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 enroute to Klamath Falls and points north. This route saves over 13 miles (21 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 reminiscient of 2 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.