The Dog trailhead is located at an old quarry. The east half of the parking clearing is often used as a firing range, so be sure to park on the west side if possible. The Dog Trail connects to the PCT in 0.5 miles. It is so named because people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in the company of dogs use it. To the east of the Dog Trail, the PCT passes through Castle Crags State Park, which does not allow dogs on its trails. The Dog Trail thus provides a bypass through the park. Unfortunately it also bypasses a lot of great scenery. Although the trail climbs at a moderately steep grade (nearly 600 feet in 0.5 miles) this is the steepest part of the entire journey. Initially open and climbing an old road, the trail eventually swings to the east as it passes beneath the forest canopy. Watch for a pile of rough hewn timbers just above the trail. This is the remains of an old mine. The original road that the Dog Trail now follows was constructed to access this mine. When the trail intersects the PCT, head right, to the east. Immediately after the junction the trail rounds a corner and reveals a spectacular view of Battle Mountain, one of the largest towers in the Castle Crags. The trail then reenters the forest canopy and makes a descent down to Sulphur Creek.

Though the creek is quite scenic it lacks much of the sulfuric odor for which it is named. The smell is quite evident from Castle Creek Road, further downstream. As the path climbs away from the creek crossing be alert for a well-established path coming up the creek’s canyon and continuing northward into the crags. This is a popular rock climber’s route into the heart of the Castle Crags. As the trail makes a gradual ascent it crosses the east fork of Sulphur Creek. This is also a very scenic stream. Near the top of the long grade the PCT arrives at a junction with the Flume Trail. This trail begins at Castle Crags State Park. After making its way across the valley bottom the trail steepens and makes its way up to a pair of junctions with the PCT. This is the first of the two intersections. A short distance further the trail begins to descend into another creek drainage, blessing hikers with yet another incredible view of sheer face of Battle Mountain. Soon the trail arrives at small Dump Creek. Despite its small size, the creek has numerous scenic cascades and clear pools. This is a good example of why this trail is best hiked in the spring, when small waterways such as Dump Creek are flush with rainwater and snowmelt.

Unlike the State Park, dogs are allowed in the adjacent Castle Crags Wilderness Area.

Category: Medium

Distance: 6.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,575 feet

Route Type: Out and Back

Directions:From I-5, take the Castella exit. Head west on Castle Creek Road for 3.3 miles. Turn right into the clearing that serves as a parking area. A PCT sign marks the parking area.

Highlights: Great views of Castle Crags

The post Dog Trail appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

The post Clear Creek 1 & 2 appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

It is thought to be the most beautiful sight on Mt. Shasta or some even argue the most beautiful anywhere in California. Mud Creek Falls may be seen as a lot bigger but with the view encompasses it makes the waterfall feel smaller. Ash Creek Falls fits perfectly in Ash Creek Canyon.

This waterfall has been left off of the most popular guide for waterfalls surprisingly. This is not the worst thing because it will not attract as many people. Besides not being in the guidebook, the waterfall is at the end of a cross-country route making it difficult to reach the falls attracting less people. The cross-country route begins at the Brewer Creek Trail which is the most isolated trail on Mt. Shasta. The steep trail over barren volcanic slopes takes you to a vista that is approx. 0.25 miles from the falls. Those that want to be even more up close can take a trail to the top of the waterfall and farther to the opposite side of the canyon where the views are not nearly as good. You can reach the Cold Springs area from here as well. When you get to Ash Creek Falls you will not forget it, it is that amazing.  

Photo Credit: hikemtshasta.com

The post Ash Creek Falls appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Category: Medium

Distance and Elevation Gain: Total descent is 5000 ft in 10 miles.

Directions

The Upper portion of the Sisson Callahan Trail can be accessed at the Deadfall Meadows Trailhead located on Forest Road 17. From Mt Shasta City, drive north on Interstate 5 through the town of Weed and exit at Edgewood/Stewart Springs Rd. Turn left, drive under the freeway, then right on Old Stage/Old 99. Turn left on to Stewart Springs Road, after 4 miles Forest Road 17 splits off to the right. Follow the road to the summit and then about a mile down the other side to Deadfall Meadows Trailhead.

Trail

For the first mile and a half, the SCT winds its way up through Deadfall Meadows crossing the creek multiple times, then crosses the PCT trail and heads up to the Upper Deadfall Lakes. Right after crossing the PCT, one can take a short side trip to Lower and Middle Deadfall Lakes. For mountain biking this section is about 60% riding and 40% hike a bike. The next mile and a half of the trail takes you up past both Upper Deadfall Lakes and arrives at a saddle and a junction to either hike to Mount Eddy or continue down the SCT. This section is about 50% ridable and 50% hike a bike. The total ascent is 1800 ft of climbing in just under 3 miles. On the descent, the trail switchbacks its way down to the North Fork of the Sacramento River which it then follows for most of the way down. This section offers multiple stream crossings, rock gardens, flowy single track, and beautiful meadow scenery. During the descent, the trail sometimes hits a forest service road. Stay on right on the roads and you will eventually see the trail to the left. After approximately 10 miles riders will come to a flat opening with the North Fork of the Sacramento River on the left and the main stem of the Sacramento River in front of them. Riders can then cross the river to the left and follow the road down to the North Shore of Lake Siskiyou making sure to stay right at intersections. Total descent is 5000 ft in 10 miles.

Photo Credit: Hike Mt. Shasta – Sisson Callahan Trail (Bubba Suess)

The post Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Start from the parking area at the end of Vista Point Road, where a well marked trail sets out for Vista Point. The quarter-mile long trail takes a horseshoe-shaped course up to a landing on Kettlebelly Ridge. The trail starts out heading southeast, but swings around to face northwest toward the Castle Crags. At 0.15 miles, as the trail is making a curve to the right, you will pass the top of another trail on the left that descends toward the campground. Continue up the trail, which levels out and arrives at the scenic overlook.

Reaching the overlook, you will first be struck by the head-on view of the Castle Crags. The mountains rise 3,000 feet above the overlook and are made up of jagged rugged peaks.

Find a large opening in the trees to your right and it will line you up perfectly for a clear views north toward Mount Shasta. This massive volcano is over 14,000 feet tall and completely covered in snow during the winter months. In geological terms, Mount Shasta is relatively young compared to the area’s other mountains, having begun forming just 530,000 years ago.

There is also a gap in the trees to the left, providing a window up a canyon carved by Castle Creek. Across the canyon there are evergree ridges topped by rocky peaks known as the Gray Rocks, which look different from the Castle Crags and are actually made up of greenstone.

There are picnic tables and a viewing scope at the vista point, allowing you to really enjoy the surroundings. Vista Point Trail is wheelchair-friendly and gains 50 feet in a quarter mile, with a typical grade of 4% and a typical width of 4 feet. Dogs and bikes are not allowed on trails in Castle Crags State Park. There is an entrance fee for Castle Crags State Park ($10 as of 2015).

This hike is the only dog-friendly trail in Castle Crags State Park.

Category: Easy

Distance: .5 miles

Elevation Gain: 50 feet

Route Type: Out and Back

Directions:Take Interstate 5 to exit 724 in Castella (located 14 miles south of Mount Shasta City and 44 miles north of Redding). At the bottom of the offramp, turn northwest onto Castle Creek Road. Drive 0.3 miles and turn right into the park entrance. Inside the park, bear right and drive almost two miles up Vista Point Road to the parking area at the road’s end where the trail begins. This road goes through the campground before heading up Kettlebelly Ridge. You will pass the start of the longer Castle Trail just before reaching the parking area for Vista Point Trail.

Highlights: Great Views

Photo Credit: Hikespeak Vista Point Castle Crags

The post Vista Point appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Trail to East Boulder Creek Falls:

The East Boulder Lake Loop begins mildly, following East Boulder Creek through a wide, shallow canyon. Craggy Peak, among the highest peaks in the Scott Mountains, can occasionally be observed through the fairly light forest cover. The creek remains on the right hand side of the trail, which passes through intermittent meadows. About 0.5 miles from the trailhead the route crosses the wilderness boundary, entering the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Continuing past the boundary, watch for faint use trails branching off to the right. These lead to Lower Boulder Lake and the Cement Banks area, a geologic formation similar to the Cement Bluff found at the east end of the Scott Mountains, near Mount Eddy and China Mountain. After 0.75 miles from the wilderness boundary, the trail begins to climb a little more earnestly, swinging close to a small waterfall a short distance from the outlet of East Boulder Lake. The rock along this section of the trail is gray granite, a stark contrast to the bright red rock that composes the East Boulder Lake Basin. After climbing above the falls, the trail crosses the creek immediately prior to being deposited at East Boulder Lake’s outlet.

Photo Credit: alltrails.com and hikemtshasta.com

The post East Boulder Creek Falls appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Mud Creek Falls is tucked into the bottom of the ,500 foot deep Mud Creek Canyon where the falls seem so small by the size of the canyon. Solid lava marches up Sargents Ridge, casting their shadows deep into the canyon. At the peak the Konwakiton Glacier ties to the mountains rocky slopes. The source of Mud Creek is melted water from the glacier. The whole scene is jaw dropping and it can be seen why Mud Creek Falls, such an amazing waterfall, can be lost in the big mountain. 

One of the main reasons people do not flock to Mud Creek Falls as much is the difficulty to get to it. Most people who come to see the waterfall view it from the Clear Creek Trail, a mile from the falls which is the along the east rim of Mud Creek Canyon. Although that seems far for viewing it can still be seen in great magnitude due to its size. For those wanting to be up close to the waterfall it is doable from a cross-country route from the Clear Creek Springs at the end of the Clear Creek Trail. This certain route takes you down the steep side of the Mud Creek Canyon to the falls where many people do not venture to.  

The post Mud Creek Falls appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Category: Easy

Distance: 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 308 feet

Route Type: Out & Back

Directions: From 1-5 N, take exit 738 toward Central Mt. Shasta. Take a sharp left onto W Lake St. (signs for Lake Siskiyou). Continue onto Hatchery Lane, then turn left onto S Old Stage Rd. After 2.3 miles, take a slight right onto W A Barr Rd. Turn left onto Ney Springs Road, then turn left to stay on Ney Springs Road. Trailhead will be on the right.

Highlights: Beautiful views of Lake Siskiyou, dog-friendly

Photo Credit: Hike Mt. Shasta – Ney Springs Canyon Trail (Bubba Suess)

The post Faery Falls & Ney Springs appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Category: Medium

Distance and Elevation: Total descent is 5000 ft in 10 miles.

Route Type: Out & Back

Directions: The Upper portion of the Sisson Callahan Trail can be accessed at the Deadfall Meadows Trailhead located on Forest Road 17. From Mt Shasta City, drive north on Interstate 5 through the town of Weed and exit at Edgewood/Stewart Springs Rd. Turn left, drive under the freeway, then right on Old Stage/Old 99. Turn left on to Stewart Springs Road, after 4 miles Forest Road 17 splits off to the right. Follow the road to the summit and then about a mile down the other side to Deadfall Meadows Trailhead.

Trail: For the first mile and a half, the SCT winds its way up through Deadfall Meadows crossing the creek multiple times, then crosses the PCT trail and heads up to the Upper Deadfall Lakes. Right after crossing the PCT, one can take a short side trip to Lower and Middle Deadfall Lakes. For mountain biking this section is about 60% riding and 40% hike a bike. The next mile and a half of the trail takes you up past both Upper Deadfall Lakes and arrives at a saddle and a junction to either hike to Mount Eddy or continue down the SCT. This section is about 50% ridable and 50% hike a bike. The total ascent is 1800 ft of climbing in just under 3 miles. On the descent, the trail switchbacks its way down to the North Fork of the Sacramento River which it then follows for most of the way down. This section offers multiple stream crossings, rock gardens, flowy single track, and beautiful meadow scenery. During the descent, the trail sometimes hits a forest service road. Stay on right on the roads and you will eventually see the trail to the left. After approximately 10 miles riders will come to a flat opening with the North Fork of the Sacramento River on the left and the main stem of the Sacramento River in front of them. Riders can then cross the river to the left and follow the road down to the North Shore of Lake Siskiyou making sure to stay right at intersections. Total descent is 5000 ft in 10 miles.

Highlights: Observe the Pacific Crest Trail that intersects Siskiyou County, beautiful canyon views

Photo Credit: Hike Mt. Shasta – Deadfall Lakes (Bubba Suess)

The post Deadfall Lakes – Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Please note that the road leading up to the hike is rocky, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to access the trail.

Category: Medium

Distance: 5.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,994 feet

Route Type: Out & Back

Directions: From 1-5 N, take exit 736 to merge onto CA-89 S/Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway toward McCloud. Turn left onto Pilgrim Creek Rd after 3.2 miles. From there, turn left onto Wintoon Way, then turn right onto Hotlum Drive. Turn right onto Widow Springs Drive then turn left onto Snowline Circle. Snowline Circle turns left and becomes Summit View Drive. Turn right onto Lakeview Drive, then turn left onto Widow Springs Drive.

Highlights: Beautiful waterfall, gorgeous views of Mt. Shasta

Photo Credit: Discover Siskiyou

The post Clear Creek Trail appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.

Category: Easy

Distance: 3.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 800 feet

Route Type: Out and Back

Directions: From the beginning of Highway 97 in Weed, drive northeast for 11.8 miles. Turn right onto Bolam Road, which is also Forest Service Road 4321. This is the last major turn to the right before Highway 97 intersects County Road A12 on the left. Once on Bolam Road, proceed 0.3 miles to an intersection, staying to the right. Continue 3.7 miles to the roads end at the trailhead.

Highlights: Flowing waterfall, lava flow capped canyon

Photo Credit: Hike Mt. Shasta – Whitney Falls Trail (Bubba Suess)

The post Whitney Falls Trail appeared first on Discover Siskiyou.