Near Newell in Modoc County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Burnett Cutoff

Associated With the California Trail National Historic Trail System

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 17, 2016

1. Burnett Cutoff Marker

Inscription. This trail was blazed by Peter Burnett in 1848 from Oregon City, Oregon Territory to the California gold fields. The route followed the Applegate Trail south and eastward to Tule Lake. It then struck southward probably following an earlier trail used by John C. Frémont. Burnett's original party consisted of 50 wagons and about 150 men. Traces of the route are still visible about 300 feet behind this sign.

Modoc National Forest

Erected by United States Forest Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, and the Lassen Trail and Burnett Cutoff series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 41° 45.641′ N, 121° 18.159′ W. Marker is near Newell, California, in Modoc County. It is on California Route 139 4.4 miles north of Clear Lake Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulelake CA 96134, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Modoc Plateau

and in the

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Shasta Cascade.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Burnett Cutoff - Over a Prairie (approx. 2.6 miles away); Burnett Cutoff - Across Barren Ground (approx. 4 miles away); Battle of Land's Ranch (approx. 5.4 miles away); Burnett Cutoff - Muddy Waters (approx. 5.9 miles away); Raptors - Birds of Prey (approx. 7.4 miles away); Petroglyph Point (approx. 7.4 miles away); Warm Springs Indians (approx. 8.8 miles away); Captain Jack’s Stronghold (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newell.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 17, 2016

2. Burnett Cutoff Marker

Peter H. Burnett<br>First Governor of California image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

3. Peter H. Burnett
First Governor of California

From The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Vol XL, No. 5, September 1890.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 3. submitted on October 13, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the trail as stated in marker text. • Can you help?