The Mount Shasta area has so many great parks and trails it’s easy to forget how lucky we are! See this link for an article comparing the Castle Crags to the Italian Dolomites!!
As luck would have it, we feature the Vista Point Trail at Castle Crags on this year’s Mount Shasta Trail Challenge. The Vista Point Trail features gorgeous views of both Castle Crags and Mount Shasta. Castle Crags is at a lower elevation which helps during the winter or maybe if wildfire smoke is higher up. The Vista Point Trail is a short, easy, and extremely accessible paved trail. This might be perfect for folks with a new baby stroller or maybe a friend who has difficulty walking. Root Creek Trail is directly connected and another easy trail if you want to extend your hike.
Some logistics on Castle Crags State Park: link. There is a fee to enter the park but you can get a free pass at your local library. The Soda Creek Trailhead off I-5 is currently closed for fire protection work. Kids will love this easy hike but dogs are not allowed on hiking trails. Restroom facilities and cel phone coverage are pretty good.
All the information you need for the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge can be found here.
