I stumbled upon Sisson Meadow by chance in the fall of 2014. I’d been window shopping in downtown Mt. Shasta, and afterward, I decided to walk through some of the neighborhoods near the stores. I walked two blocks past Ace Hardware toward Mt. Shasta, and that’s where I found the entrance to the meadow.
I fell in love with the meadow because it was quiet and offered beautiful views of Mt. Shasta, the Eddy Mountains, and Black Butte. A short boardwalk meanders through the field with benches strategically placed for walkers to relax. The seats are also great places to enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack, to meditate, or to savor the majestic views.
In 2003 the Siskiyou Land Trust bought the meadow to protect it from development. Restoration efforts began shortly after the purchase. According to the Land Trust, “the meadow is a 7.5-acre gem in the heart of Mt. Shasta.”
I agree with that assessment!
On my recent trip to Siskiyou, I woke up to a light dusting of snow and headed outside for a photo walk. The streets were quiet, and the morning light was lovely. As I walked toward downtown Mt. Shasta, I decided to change my plans slightly.
Instead of rushing to breakfast, I headed to Sisson Meadow for a wander. The meadow was covered in sparkly white snow, golden light, and the birds were chirping. As I walked, the clouds parted, and I was able to catch views of Mt. Shasta, Black Butte, and the Eddys. It was gorgeous and peaceful!
After two hours of taking photos, I worked up an appetite, so I headed to Yaks for coffee and a small breakfast. It was the perfect way to end my early morning adventure. Plus, the coffee and carbs fueled my drive home.
PRO-TIPS:
—Lodging: Pair your walking adventures with an overnight stay at the Dream Inn or the Gilden Lodge. Additional accommodations can be found here.
—Sisson Meadow Trail Access: The trail is easy to access from downtown Mt. Shasta. Find Mt. Shasta Ace Hardware at 328 North Mt Shasta Blvd. From there, you’ll walk a few blocks toward Mt. Shasta, and you’ll find the trail. For specific directions, check out the Siskiyou Land Trust’s Sisson Meadow visitors guide here.
—Additional Walking Adventures: If you’re looking for other walks near Mt. Shasta, head to Lake Siskiyou. During each season, it’s relatively easy to access the trail. However, if you’re walking in the late fall or winter, bundle up and bring extra water.
