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Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail
(PCT) has been called the jewel in the crown of America's scenic
Trails, spanning 2650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three
western states. In northern California, the trail follows the Hat
Creek Rim from Lassen National Park to the Mount Shasta area. Rather
than crossing the dry Cascades north of Mount Shasta, the trail
heads west, crossing the Upper Sacramento River and Interstate 5
near Castle Crags. Continuing northwest, it touches the northern
boundary of the Trinity Alps. The trail reaches 7600' elevation and
winds north through the Marble Mountains before descending to the
Klamath River. Leaving California, the PC climbs again to the crest
of the Siskiyou Mountains and traverses east, entering Oregon near
Interstate 5's Siskiyou Summit.
There are numberous trailheads throughout Siskiyou County. Check
with one of the Forest Service ranger stations for maps and
information. Local ranger stations are listed in the Information
Centers at our
Services
pages.
The
Pacific Crest Trail Association
web site offers abundant information on trail conditions, activities
and access.
Visit the
PCTHiker.com
web site for more information for Pacific Crest Trail hikers.
Backpacking
Take to the hills
with everything you need on your back...there's a thrill to
backpacking you will never forget. So, lace up those hiking boots,
dust off your backpacks, and hike the Mount Shasta Country! Here are
just a few of the many favorite backpacking destinations you'll
disover here in Siskiyou County.
Deadfall Lakes and Mount Eddy
Families and day hikers as well as serious backpackers will enjoy
the beauty of these lakes found on the Pacific Crest Trail on the
slopes of Mount Eddy. Best access is from the north, where the PCT
crosses Steward Springs Road/Forest Road 17. During late spring and
summer months, the area abounds with wildflowers and water meadows.
Follow a gret trail through rare Foxtail Pines to the summit of
Mount Eddy and descend, if you wish, down the Sisson-Callahan Trail
to the north fork of the Sacramento above Lake Siskiyou.
Marble Mountain Wilderness Area
Numerous trailheads and access trails, as well as the Pacific Crest
Trail, lead to the magnificant white marble, lakes and wildflower
meadows alpine basins in Marble Mountain Wilderness. This 250,000
acre region was one of California's first designated wilderness
areas. You can be completely alone in rarely visited Tichner Hole,
or join the "crowds" (perhaps a dozen or so on a busy weekend)
camping at popular Sky High Valley in the geologically diverse Scott
River District of the wilderness area. Visit the Ukonom District
location of Sugarloaf Mountain, which is considered to be the center
of the earth by the Karuk Indian Tribe. Hike or horseback ride
through thick forests to subalpine glacier basin lakes in the Happy
Camp District at the northwest corner. Bring your fishing pole; 89
lakes are stocked with trout! Contact the Klamath National Forest at
530-842-6131 for trail maps and a campfire permit. No wilderness
permit is required.
The Russian Wlderness Area
Located along a major ridge dividing the Scott and Salmon River
watersheds, the Russian Wilderness Area contains 22 named lakes, and
an extensive trail system including a section of the Pacific Crest
Trail. The rich botanical diversity is an extra draw for hikers and
packers anxious for short weekend or day trips that are long on
beauty. Best access is via the Etna/Sawyers Bar Road, and the
Pacific Crest Trail. Contact the Forest Service for trail maps and
campfire permits. No wilderness permit is necessary.
Around Mount Shasta
Backpacking the slopes of Mount Shasta, hikers will discover many
areas of incredible high alpine beauty. The North Gate area is
reached from Weed; Hidden Valley and the west face are usually
accessed by passing Horse Camp above Bunny Flat on the Everett
Memorial Highway; the trail to Squaw Valley starts from the Old Ski
Bowl area higher on Everett Memorial Highway. A wilderness permit is
required above 8,000 feet.
Wooley Creek from Somes Bar
This route follows the remote Wooley Creek drainage from its
junction with the Salmon River to Marble Valley high in the Marble
Mountains. This is a magnificent creek through rugged wilderness.
President Herbert Hoover had a hideaway cabin on Wooley Creek. His
personal interest was partly responsible for protecting the Marble
Mountains as a Wilderness Area.
Ukonom Lake from Happy Camp
The "high country" of Ukonom Lake can be accessed south of Happy
Camp off the Elk Creek Road. The rugged landscape of the area is
unique, with remote mountain lakes, incredible views and great
fishing for the backpacking angler.
The Siskiyou Wilderness
Siskiyou Wilderness may be the least known and most infrequently
visited wilderness area in California. The 153,000 wild and scenic
acres, located between Happy Camp and the coastal town of Crescent
City, support a diverse plant life including 20 species of conifers
including the rare Brewers Spruce. Pack in what you will need; you
might not see another human being during your stay in this
magnificent paradise. Contact the Klamath National Forest at (530)
842-6131 for trail maps and a campfire permit. No wilderness permit
is required.
Day Hikes
Mount Shasta
Country, nested in the shadow of one of America's tallest and most
beautiful mountains, has an abundance of delightful hiking
destinations for one-day outings. From south to north Siskiyou
County, here are but a few, easily accessible to the traveler and
breathtaking in their offerings. It is hardly necessary to remind
you of the remarkable nature of these places, and the importance of
giving them special care. Take nothing away but your photographs and
leave nothing behind but your memories of the beautiful outdoors.
Castle Crags
Castle Crags State Park on the southern edge of Siskiyou County has
a network of hiking trails, many of which are open year round. For
enthusiastic climbers, Crags Trail offers splendid views of the
Crags and Mount Shasta after a 3 mile hike with 2,200 feet of
elevation gain. For a less strenuous hike, Indian Creek Trail is a
one mile loop with a self-guided nature walk that crosses over
Indian Creek twice. A brochure and map are available at the
Visitor's Center when you enter the Park and pay the very reasonable
day use fee. The Park is known for is wildflower and wildlife
viewing opportunities, which include frequent sightings of tiger
lilies, fragrant western azalea and 13 species of orchids. Stick
around for evening campfire talks every Saturday through the summer
at 8:30PM. A detailed description of this hike to Castle Dome can be
found at our
Hikes and
Walks
pages.
Squaw Creek Trail
This trail follows beautiful Squaw Creek, south of McCloud, through
five miles of wooded areas and meadows rich with wildflowers. It is
primarily level, with gentle climbs. Maps to the trailhead 12 miles
south of McCloud are available at the Ranger Station in McCloud, the
Mt. Shasta Visitors' Bureau, and the Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce.
Box Canyon Dam and Trail
Just minutes from downtown Mt. Shasta, you can stand 209 feet above
a jagged river gorge at the Box Canyon Dam and view the Upper
Sacramento River rushing out of Lake Siskiyou. To get to the
trailhead, take W.A. Barr Road south to Lake Siskiyou. Stop and park
just before crossing the dam. After peering over the edge into the
canyon, take a scenic walk on the three-quarter mile trail that
begins along the edge of the Mount Shasta Resort golf course and
follows the north edge of the gorge. The trail crosses several tiny
creeks, and offers views of the dam and canyon from a number of
different vantage points. Watch for some surprises along the way -
some dating back to the turn of the last century.
Day hike to Horse Camp on Mount Shasta
High on the slopes of Mount Shasta, this moderately difficult hike
to Horse Camp at 8,000 feet on Mount Shasta begins at Bunny Flat
near the end of Everitt Memorial Highway. The trail is 1-3/4 miles,
mostly uphill though not too steep. You will have fabulous views of
the south side of the mountain. At Horse Camp you can rest at the
Sierra Club Cabin, built by stonemasons 75 years ago, or camp in the
designated campsites. The cabin is a meeting place and base camp for
climbers taking the traditional John Muir Route to the summit. There
may be snow on the trail well into the summer, so dress in layers,
wear waterproof boots, bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Drinking
water is available at the cabin during the summer months. Check
weather conditions on the mountain, which can be very different from
those in town, at one of the outdoor stores in Mt. Shasta or at the
Ranger Station on Alma Street.
Black Butte Trail
Black Butte, once known as Muir Peak, is a plug dome volcano located
north of Mt. Shasta City and south of Weed, just east of Interstate
5. It was formed in four separate eruptions, and as you climb, you
will see evidence of these eruptions. The hike to the summit takes
about 2 1/2 hours. If you are one of the many who are fit enough for
a short mountain hike, but not up to the challenge of a climb to the
summit of Mount Shasta, this is for you. Take plenty of water. The
drive to the trailhead is complicated, so stop by the Mt. Shasta
Visitors' Bureau and ask for a map.
The Bear Trail
Hikers and runners love this scenic trail in the friendly town of
Weed. It meanders for 1.6 miles through the wooded areas next to
College of the Siskiyous. The trail begins at the southeast corner
of the campus, and ends along College Avenue at the northwest
corner. A detailed description of this hike can be found at our
Hikes and
Walks pages.
Take a wildflower hike to Deadfall Lakes
A short section of the Pacific Crest Trail is easily reached just
north of Weed, and leads to Deadfall Lakes in the beautiful high
country west of Mount Eddy. The trailhead can be reached by exiting
Interstate 5 at Edgewood, taking the access road on the west of the
freeway (old Highway 99) about 1/2 mile north, then turning west and
driving up Stewart Springs Road to the Parks Creek Road turnoff.
This paved Forest Service road continues up the ridge and and
eventually over into the Trinity Alps. At the summit, about 7 miles
up, you will see the parking area and trailhead where the Pacific
Crest Trail crosses the road. The hike south to Deadfall Lakes is
less than two miles, and the scenic beauty is breathtaking. The road
and trail are usually open from June through October, although snow
in the high country can persist late into the season. Take water and
lunch and plan to spend the whole day exploring the various lakes.
The Yreka Creek Greenway
The community of Yreka offers a quarter mile stream side park along
Yreka Creek, home to a wide variety of plants, birds, mammals, fish
and water creatures. There is an outdoor interpretive Visitors'
Center at the entrance to the greenway behind the Siskiyou County
Museum on Main Street in Yreka. A paved trail leads you along the
creek, artworks present natural and cultural history, and benches
and picnic tables invite you to spend some time in the greenway's
special places.
Tree of Heaven Nature Trail
Located 10 miles north of Yreka, the Tree of Heaven Campground is on
the Klamath River about 10 miles down river from Interstate 5. The
paved and handicapped accessible Nature Trail wanders through
natural river vegetation, with interpretive signs along the path
describing the history and sights. Watch for eagles and osprey. Tree
of Heaven, a beautiful deciduous tree, was imported by the Chinese
immigrants who farmed this flat and sold vegetables to area miners.
The tree was to remind them of their homeland. A detailed
description of this hike can be found at our
Hikes and
Walks pages.
Hiking at the Lava Beds National Monument
The Monument, south of Tule lake on the eastern side of Siskiyou
County, is full of hiking trails that crest buttes, explore short
caves and visit historical sites. The Captain Jack's Stronghold
Trail explores the rugged fortification the Modoc Indians used to
hold of U.S. Troops. The trail consists of a short .6 mile inner
trail and 1.1 mile outer trail. A disperser box at the parking lot
contains an interpretive guide to the hike. Also near the dispenser
box the water mark for Tule Lake before it was drained by the Bureau
of Reclamation. For more information, see the
Lava Beds National
Monument Hiking Trails
web page.
The Schonchin Butte Trail
Also at Lava Beds National Monument, this 1 mile hike climbs
Schonchin, which overlooks the gnarled landscape of the lava beds.
The hike is steep, but wildflowers, the panoramic view from the top
at a look at the fire lookout make it worth the effort. Check with
the Lava Beds Visitors Center for directions to the trailheads of
these and other hikes within the Monument.
More Hiking
Information
Numerous other hiking
trails abound throughout Siskiyou County...the McCloud River
waterfalls, Hedge Creek Falls and Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir, the
hike to Hart Lake above Castle Lake, the Medicine Lake area, the
hike to Squaw Meadows high on Mount Shasta, the Living Memorial
Sculpture Gardens north of Weed, the Elsa Rupp Nature Trail, just to
name a few. You can find hike descriptions in many guide books for
the northern California area...check with your local bookstore or
stop by one of our area bookstores when you are here.
The
Mt. Shasta
Visitor's Bureau
web site describes many hikes in the Alpine Vistas and Villages
Area.
Two short hikes in the Marble Mountains are described on the
Klamath National Forest
Day Hikes page.
An excellent description of The Maple Falls Waterfall Trail in the
Marble Mountains can be found at the
GORP.com
web site.
GORP also offers a page on the
McCloud Falls Trails.
Any adventure into the backcountry, whether it be a day hike of a
few hours, or an extended backpacking journey, brings with it the
responsibility to travel safely and with knowledge of wilderness
behavior. A good introduction to
Wilderness Rules of Thumb
can be found at the Klamath National Forest web site.
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