Castle Lake to Heart Lake and Mount Bradley Ridge

Castle Lake to Heart Lake and Mount Bradley Ridge

Glaciers sculpted the Castle Lake landscape. This hike gives you summer swimming in alpine lakes, opportunities to wander through lush meadows, and spectacular views of major California mountains, including Mount Shasta. Most hikers do the trek in 1 day, but you can certainly camp near Heart Lake or in the forest past Little Castle Lake.

Category: Medium

Distance: 2.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 721 feet

Route Type: Out and Back

Directions: Follow signs to Castle Lake from the town of Mt Shasta. From Central Mt Shasta go west on Lake St, turn south on S Old Stage, Veer right at WA Barr Rd, cross Box Canyon Dam (Lake Siskiyou), turn left on the Castle Lake road shortly after the dam and follow the pavement to its end at Castle Lake.

Highlights: Beautiful wildflowers during peak seasons, beautiful lake views

Photo Credit: Trails.com – Castle Lake to Heart Lake and Mount Bradley Ridge (John R. Soares & Marc J. Soares)

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(530) 926-4511 (Mount Shasta Ranger Station)
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🌾 Siskiyou`s Scott Valley unfolds like a patchwork quilt of golden fields, winding rivers, and quiet mountain charm. Nestled between the Marble and Trinity Mountains, it’s one of Siskiyou’s best-kept secrets—peaceful, picturesque, and full of small-town heart. 💛

Whether you`re flying high or driving slow, this picturesque valley is worth the detour.

📸: @beanemedia

#DiscoverSiskiyou #ScottValleyViews #fortjones #HiddenGemsOfCalifornia #SmallTownCharm #NorthernCaliforniaBeauty #naturefromabove

209 3
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18531467344032399
🌾 Siskiyou's Scott Valley unfolds like a patchwork quilt of golden fields, winding rivers, and quiet mountain charm. Nestled between the Marble and Trinity Mountains, it’s one of Siskiyou’s best-kept secrets—peaceful, picturesque, and full of small-town heart. 💛 Whether you're flying high or driving slow, this picturesque valley is worth the detour. 📸: @beanemedia #DiscoverSiskiyou #ScottValleyViews #fortjones #HiddenGemsOfCalifornia #SmallTownCharm #NorthernCaliforniaBeauty #naturefromabove

✨ The stars shine brighter in Siskiyou.

With low light pollution and wide-open skies, our region offers some of the best stargazing in California. Bring a blanket, look up, and lose yourself in the magic of the cosmos. 🌠

📸: @rockmaven56

#DiscoverSiskiyou #StargazeSiskiyou #AstroPhotography #NatureAfterDark #stargazing #california #LookUp

57 0
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18492419809070473
✨ The stars shine brighter in Siskiyou. With low light pollution and wide-open skies, our region offers some of the best stargazing in California. Bring a blanket, look up, and lose yourself in the magic of the cosmos. 🌠 📸: @rockmaven56 #DiscoverSiskiyou #StargazeSiskiyou #AstroPhotography #NatureAfterDark #stargazing #california #LookUp

Labor Day Weekend = one last summer adventure. ☀️⛰️ From lakes to trails, Siskiyou’s the place to savor every mom#peaceofmind

📸: @etch_in_love

#discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #mtshasta #lakesiskiyou #MountainLife #california #labordayweekend #peace

92 1
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18063409679049043
Labor Day Weekend = one last summer adventure. ☀️⛰️ From lakes to trails, Siskiyou’s the place to savor every mom#peaceofmind 📸: @etch_in_love #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #mtshasta #lakesiskiyou #MountainLife #california #labordayweekend #peace

Still soaking up summer? Us too. 😎 But trust us—fall in Siskiyou is worth planning ahead for. Golden trails, cozy nights, and mountain views are waiting. Link in bio for our top five spots to find fall color in Siskiyou 🏔️🍁

📸: @kiwibandit

#DiscoverSiskiyou #VisitCalifornia #ExploreCalifornia #NorCalAdventures #NorthernCalifornia #CaliforniaFall #FallGetaway #AdventureAwaits #HiddenCalifornia #SiskiyouCounty #FallInCalifornia #MountainEscape #WanderNorCal #AutumnAdventures

118 1
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 17885426919357264
Still soaking up summer? Us too. 😎 But trust us—fall in Siskiyou is worth planning ahead for. Golden trails, cozy nights, and mountain views are waiting. Link in bio for our top five spots to find fall color in Siskiyou 🏔️🍁 📸: @kiwibandit #DiscoverSiskiyou #VisitCalifornia #ExploreCalifornia #NorCalAdventures #NorthernCalifornia #CaliforniaFall #FallGetaway #AdventureAwaits #HiddenCalifornia #SiskiyouCounty #FallInCalifornia #MountainEscape #WanderNorCal #AutumnAdventures

Trail to the sky. ⛰️✨ Hiking Castle Crags State Park means big views, fresh air, and feeling on top of the world.

📸: @morgan_swartz

#DiscoverSiskiyou #CastleCrags #ExploreCalifornia #VisitNorCal #AdventureAwaits #GetOutside #SiskiyouCounty #HiddenCalifornia #NorCalHikes #ForestEscape #CaliforniaMountains #TrailViews #WildCalifornia

236 5
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Trail to the sky. ⛰️✨ Hiking Castle Crags State Park means big views, fresh air, and feeling on top of the world. 📸: @morgan_swartz #DiscoverSiskiyou #CastleCrags #ExploreCalifornia #VisitNorCal #AdventureAwaits #GetOutside #SiskiyouCounty #HiddenCalifornia #NorCalHikes #ForestEscape #CaliforniaMountains #TrailViews #WildCalifornia

🌿 Tucked just off the highway in Dunsmuir lies a little slice of magic — Hedge Creek Falls! This easy walk leads to a waterfall you can literally walk behind, with mist on your face and views of Mt. Shasta peeking through the trees. A perfect quick stop that feels like a secret. 💦✨

📸: @backroadsculture

#DiscoverSiskiyou #HedgeCreekFalls #DunsmuirCA #WaterfallWednesday #HiddenGems #NorCalNature #VisitSiskiyou

169 3
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 17976065954863519
🌿 Tucked just off the highway in Dunsmuir lies a little slice of magic — Hedge Creek Falls! This easy walk leads to a waterfall you can literally walk behind, with mist on your face and views of Mt. Shasta peeking through the trees. A perfect quick stop that feels like a secret. 💦✨ 📸: @backroadsculture #DiscoverSiskiyou #HedgeCreekFalls #DunsmuirCA #WaterfallWednesday #HiddenGems #NorCalNature #VisitSiskiyou

Happy Fourth of July! 🎆

Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking under the stars, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes, or enjoying a local festival—Siskiyou is the perfect place to make holiday memories.

🎇 Please remember to recreate responsibly - do not light your own fireworks, and pack out all of your trash! Tag us in your weekend fun using #DiscoverSiskiyou and stay safe out there! 🗻🌲💥

📸: @livelikeitsthewknd

#discoversiskiyou #seesiskiiyou #visitcalifornia #norcal #california #adventure #pnw #chasingwaterfalls #granolagirls #mtshasta

57 0
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Happy Fourth of July! 🎆 Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking under the stars, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes, or enjoying a local festival—Siskiyou is the perfect place to make holiday memories. 🎇 Please remember to recreate responsibly - do not light your own fireworks, and pack out all of your trash! Tag us in your weekend fun using #DiscoverSiskiyou and stay safe out there! 🗻🌲💥 📸: @livelikeitsthewknd #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiiyou #visitcalifornia #norcal #california #adventure #pnw #chasingwaterfalls #granolagirls #mtshasta

Chasing light, finding peace. 🌄✨

Mt. Shasta glowing in the golden hour—nature really showing off.

📸: @happylustig

#MtShasta #SunsetVibes #NatureHeals #WanderMore #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #california #norcal

200 1
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18044984351150253
Chasing light, finding peace. 🌄✨ Mt. Shasta glowing in the golden hour—nature really showing off. 📸: @happylustig #MtShasta #SunsetVibes #NatureHeals #WanderMore #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #california #norcal

We dare you to drive over Forest Mountain into Scott Valley without stopping to snap a photo 🌲🏔️✨

📸: @tcoelhophotography

#discoversiskiyou #seeiskiyou #scottvalley #mountainviews #pnw #roadtrip

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Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18063671776811454
We dare you to drive over Forest Mountain into Scott Valley without stopping to snap a photo 🌲🏔️✨ 📸: @tcoelhophotography #discoversiskiyou #seeiskiyou #scottvalley #mountainviews #pnw #roadtrip

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 at the link in our bio!

📸: @roadtripreadymedia

#discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #norcal #visitcalifornia #norcal #darkskies #stargazing #nightsky #milkyway #astrophotography

312 2
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18050010146143842
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 at the link in our bio! 📸: @roadtripreadymedia #discoversiskiyou #seesiskiyou #norcal #visitcalifornia #norcal #darkskies #stargazing #nightsky #milkyway #astrophotography

Sunday`s full "snow moon" casting its silver glow over the Siskiyou mountains—nature`s masterpiece in the sky. 🌕

📸: @optimal_focus

#FullMoon #snowmoon #siskiyou #discoversiskiyou #california #norcal #pnw #naturephotos

280 2
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18050657267041701
Sunday's full "snow moon" casting its silver glow over the Siskiyou mountains—nature's masterpiece in the sky. 🌕 📸: @optimal_focus #FullMoon #snowmoon #siskiyou #discoversiskiyou #california #norcal #pnw #naturephotos

Snow is coming! Be ready for it - purchase your @mtshastanordic season pass today! Get yours online at mtshastanordic.org

#discoversiskiyou #northerncalifornia #seesiskiyou #concert #visitcalifornia #visitca #siskiyou #siskiyoucounty #mtshasta #snowshoe #crosscountry #skiseason

69 0
Open post by seesiskiyou with ID 18360527488188049
Snow is coming! Be ready for it - purchase your @mtshastanordic season pass today! Get yours online at mtshastanordic.org #discoversiskiyou #northerncalifornia #seesiskiyou #concert #visitcalifornia #visitca #siskiyou #siskiyoucounty #mtshasta #snowshoe #crosscountry #skiseason