Oscar Lord described the routes of two trails to Orleans. The first ran from Arcata to Trinidad, thence northeasterly over the mountains via Redwood creek near Howers homestead; thence up to the Bald Hills thru the Hooker ranch to French Camp; down to Martin's Farry- thence to Weitchpec & on to Orleans Bar. The other trail began short distance east of Glendale, continued to Liscom Hill, down to the north fork of Mad River, to Fowh and Elk Prairies, down to Redwood Creek, Beaver's, Hower's and Hooker Ranch, to French Camp, Martins Ferry, Weitchpec and Orleans Bar. It took 7 days by pack mule (loaded) to reach Orleans and 5 days to return. Both trails were about 75-80 miles. The cable bridge at Martins Ferry is built at 100' feet above the river because the water reached 85ft. above the river in 1862.