Did you know that the closest stars are about 5-10 light years away? And every star in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our own sun? Here in Siskiyou, we take for granted that being so far away from big cities offers us something pretty special when it comes to viewing stars… darkness! Siskiyou has some of the darkest skies on the West Coast, making it the ultimate location for stargazing. Check out our suggestions for the best spots around to view the cosmos.
Castle Lake
This spot in the Shasta Trinity National Forest, has great views in day or nighttime. Viewing the Milky Way during the summer months is particularly epic. What’s super special about this mountain lake is that you can drive 7 miles in from the main road, then hike the 3 miles in, and camp at Castle Lake Campground which is 0.25 miles from the lake. What an adventure! Hike another 2 miles to Heart Lake for even more epic sky views. Make sure to check the Forest Service Website before you go, depending on time of year, Castle Lake Road may be closed.
Etna Summit
Drive about 12 miles out of the Scott Valley town of Etna, where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Sawyer’s Bar Road. Etna Summit sits at just under 6,000 feet above sea level and overlooks what seems to be endless wilderness areas and the Klamath National Forest. Pull off to the side of the road for dark skies filled with stars and planets. This location is off the beaten path and while the road is paved, beware that there are often no guardrails along the steep sides of the road.
Yreka I-5, Shasta Valley Vista Point
This lookout is on the Southbound lanes of I-5 just over the Anderson Grade and faces the Shasta Valley and magnificent Mount Shasta. If you are coming from Yreka, you can U-turn at the Collier Rest Area/ Highway 96 Exit and get back on I-5 heading South, the Vista Point is clearly marked to your right and will be just before the interstate turns toward Yreka. This is a great spot if you don’t want to venture out too far but still see the stars.
Highway 97: Mount Shasta Vista Point North
Just 20 minutes outside of Weed, along Highway 97, is the Mount Shasta Vista Point. This location offers stunning views of Mount Shasta and the starlit skies above. With access nearly year-round, this is a great place to pack a dinner picnic, drop the tailgate, and enjoy the evening under the constellations.
Castle Crags Vista Point
Castle Crags is a US State Park recognized as an official dark sky location in California for stargazing and astronomy activities. It is so dark here, that the stars dominate the sky. The destination is a .5 mile round trip on the Vista Point Trail and is an easy out and back and offers views of Castle Crags granite peaks and snow-capped Mount Shasta within the night sky.
Some tips before you go
Always make sure that you use caution with driving or hiking at night. Study the area you plan to explore beforehand, we recommend visiting in the daytime so you can get the lay of the land before venturing out in the dark. Mountain area temperatures can drop to freezing after dark, even in the summer months, so pack appropriately and bring emergency supplies, such as flashlights, water and food. And of course, bring a camera or put your phone in night mode to capture the stellar views!
Check out the Dark Sky and Artificial Lighting Guidelines to support dark sky efforts to minimize light pollution as outlined by Leave No Trace.
(All images kindly provided by Robert Renick)
