Get Out There

Located about 30 miles Northeast of Mt. Shasta, Medicine Lake is ideal for hiking and sightseeing. The lake sits in the caldera of an ancient volcano.

Bear Trail (College of the Siskiyous) is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Weed, California.

A popular destination for visitors to Castle Crags State Park is the scenic overlook at the end of Vista Point Trail.

Clear Creek is the standard route on the southeast face of Mount Shasta. It hosts outstanding views, alpine meadows and deep Mud Creek Canyon.

River Park, in Happy Camp provides a scenic city park with green grass, a shaded pavilion and handy access to the refreshing Klamath River.

Climbing high above Castle Lake to diminutive Heart Lake, the trail provides views of Mount Shasta and a stunning view of the Castle Crags.

This popular trailhead is reached via a paved road approximately 30 miles from Mt. Shasta Ranger Station. On Interstate 5 drive north 3.4 miles beyond the Weed turnoff and take […]

The trail winds its way around the north side of the pinnacle of Black Butte, revealing amazing views en route to a 360 degree vista at the summit.

A great introductory trail high on Mount Shasta through delicate Panther Meadow that combines most of the best features of hiking on the mountain.

A perfect trail ascending the cliffs above large Castle Lake. The trail drops into Little Castle Lake’s cirque before traversing Mount Bradley Ridge.

The Great Shasta Rail Trail is a scenic, multi-use 80 mile trail.  The trail will link towns McCloud and Burney with a historic and scenic corridor.

Great loop around Lake Siskiyou offering a surprising amount of variety and spectacular views. Several trail options for hikes during off-season.

Glass Mountain Trail is a 4.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Tulelake, California that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily […]

A short hike along the shore of Castle Lake is a great introduction to the Trinity Divide. Take in vast views of the massive cliffs above the lake.

This high-altitude trail treks nearly 2 miles up the south flank of the mountain. Also the start of the most popular route to the 14,162-foot summit.

Easily the most unusual trail on the mountain.  The “trails” are actually old service roads used when the Shasta Ski Area was operating.

Wagon Creek Falls is among the least known waterfalls in the Mount Shasta area. It is part of a special group of beautiful but utterly unappreciated waterfalls that includes some […]

The Medicine Lake Highlands were formed with the development of a broad shield volcano.

A short, easy trail that stays close to the rim of the Sacramento River’s Box Canyon.  The trail offers several vistas down into the canyon.

Root Creek Falls is a large, multi-tiered waterfall that spills 500+ feet over the granite Castle Dome just south of Dunsmuir in the Castle Crags wilderness area.

SWS Mountain Guides is a mountaineering guide service in Mt. Shasta, Ca.

A rarely traveled trail that passes through lake basins, meadows and descends through a large canyon alongside the North Fork of the Sacramento River.

Klamath National Forest is a 1,737,774-acre (2,715 sq mi; 7,033 km2) national forest, in the Klamath Mountains, located in Siskiyou County in northern California,

A 5.5 mile multi-use trail with views of the Klamath River, located just 2 miles south of Happy Camp.

Mt. Bradley Lookout is a moderate to difficult hike with two attractive lake destinations along the way – dramatic Heart Lake and pastoral Little Castle Lake.

Burstarse Falls is actually a pair of beautiful waterfalls located in the Castle Crags Wilderness about a quarter mile off the PCT.

A great hike up a cinder cone volcano that offers views of the surrounding wilderness. A hike to the Schonchin Butte Fire Lookout is worth the effort!

This very short trail begins on the east side of the Petroglyph Point just beyond the bulletin board on the dirt road. The trailhead parking lot is on top of […]

A lesser known range in the region, but blessed with rugged peaks, unusual but scenic geology, lakes, meadows and relatively easy access. Distance: 19.7 miles Elevation Gain: 3,756 feet Route […]

Castle Peak lies at the nexus of the Castle Crags formation and the Trinity Divide. It is one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Mount Shasta area.

For a little taste of waterfalls and wilderness, head to the aptly named Dog Trail in the Castle Crags Wilderness area.

Goosenest Trail is a lightly trafficked loop trail located near Weed, California that features beautiful wildflowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature […]

The Little Shasta Meadow Botanical Special Interest Area (BSIA) is 390 acres and is an example of both dry and wet high elevation meadows.

The Marble Mountain Wilderness is located in Northern California and can be accessed from the towns of Happy Camp, Fort Jones, and Etna.

By far the prettiest waterfall on Mount Shasta, Ash Creek Falls is one of the finest falls in California. Set in the deep cleft of Ash Creek Canyon, the waterfall […]

The most popular day hike on Mt. Shasta and the access trail to Avalanche Gulch climbing route. Gradually ascends through red fir and pine trees.

The Modoc National Forest is a 1,654,392-acre (6,695 km2) national forest in northeastern California.

What Sweetbriar Falls lacks in size, it makes up for in ease of access and steady flow.

A short but highly scenic trail passing through meadows and a hemlock grove before reaching Artist’s Point, one of the finest vistas in the area.

A mile hike uphill to a lookout that’s complete with a picnic table and a beautiful view of Happy Camp.

Mud Creek Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California. Fed by both glaciers and springs, it has the highest volume by far of any of the falls […]

Take in spectacular displays of the shoreline and sweeping views of Mt. Shasta. The perfect place in the summer to kayak.

Located in the McCloud area of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Lake McCloud is a reservoir on the McCloud River and is truly breathtaking.

The East Boulder Lake Loop provides easy access into the interior of the Scott Mountains portion of the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

A 3.8 mile round-trip hike  following the beautiful McCloud River. Take in stunning views of the Lower, Middle and Upper Falls.

With 28 miles of hiking trails, everyone can enjoy a mild stroll or invigorating adventure. The only trail to climb into the majestic Castle Crags.

Pluto’s Cave is a lava tube that was formed by an eruption of basaltic lava which originated from a vent about 8 miles to the northeast, between Deer Mountain and […]

A 3 mile trail up Spring Hill at the north end of Mount Shasta City. Vistas offer views of the Trinity Divide, Strawberry Valley and Mount Shasta.

A short 0.7 mile, but extremely scenic trail leading to an attractive waterfall and a great view of Mount Shasta and the Sacramento River. This hike is dog friendly. Distance: […]

Just west of the Scott River on Kelsey Creek you pick up the Kelsey National Recreation Trail.  Today the trail serves as a popular day hike to Paradise Lake and […]

Iron Gate Reservoir is located about 10 miles east of Interstate 5 and continues upstream to Copco Reservoir.  The road to Iron Gate Reservoir is about 15 miles north of […]

A moderate 15 mile mountain bike trail that provides three to five hours of riding time. Experience elevation gains and descends on this trail.

A 4.5 mile trail that ascends through Avalanche Gulch and connects with the Bunny Flat Trail, then up to the Sierra Club Hut at Horse Camp.

A moderate 6 mile trail. Enjoy the views of Castle Crags, Mount Shasta, and an endless vista of range and valley.

A short but impressive waterfall with year-round beauty located off Quartz Valley Road outside of Ft. Jones.

Sisson Meadow is a 7.5-acre gem in the heart of Mt. Shasta where community go to enjoy the fantastic views […]

Ukonom Creek is a cold, clear creek that feeds the Klamath River, and was named after a Karok chief.

This remote, high volcanic plateau consists of pine and conifer forests, sage and juniper flats, craters, volcanic mountains, lava caves and lakes.

This short hike enters a lush canyon, home to 19th century ruins a well-developed rock climbing area, a crashing creek and a beautiful waterfall.

Bask in the views of surrounding mountains while hiking on Mount Shasta.  The far-reaching panoramas are abundant along every trail on the mountain.

Gray Butte Trail is a moderate 3.5 mile round trip out of Panther Meadows that passes a sacred Native American site and old-growth forest on the way to an expansive […]

Horsetail Falls is one of the more remote waterfalls in Siskiyou County, but this reliable marble-white cascade has the advantage of being accessible by car and the added bonus of […]

A lower elevation route on the north side of Mount Shasta that leads to a great waterfall…when it is flowing.

Carrick Park located off Highway 97 on Maple Street. This neighborhood park is a 3 acre green haven.

Walk in the footsteps of Captain Jack and his tribal members at Lava Beds National Monument in the Northern Sierra Cascade.