Well Trail Challengers, there is both good and not so good news from the featured trail on Spring Hill. The good news is the trail is open again and the firefighting efforts kept the fire almost entirely off the trail. The not so good news is the middle half of the trail is now one dozer blade wide, and the ridge is pretty bare. Surprisingly, the byproduct of these control lines are some much improved views along the trail and ridge.
Check it out and see for yourself. The trail is safe and has been released for use by Mount Shasta PD but watch your footing as dozers have upended rocks and roots. The surface is pretty loose and very dusty. Try to stay on the original tread of the trail and then take the Rocky Point loop near the top. Avoid hot afternoons as a lot of the shade is now gone. If you like hiking with dogs take extra caution as the surface will get hot for their paws. If you want to skip Spring Hill on the challenge this year you can replace it by walking a nice big circuit around Mount Shasta City Park just across the street!
Speaking of hiking with dogs here are a couple great new programs. Right next to Spring Hill is the Siskiyou Humane Society where they have a wonderful “Doggy Field Trip” program. The Mount Shasta Visitor Center right in downtown has a fun new “Bark Ranger” program to check out.
Lastly, the Lake Siskiyou seasonal bridges just went up last week and you can now do the full loop for the Trail Challenge.
