What’s the best way to finish up this year’s Trail Challenge? By having an adventure on the Strawberry Valley Trail and getting a piece of pie at the Annual Labor Day Mt Shasta Rotary Blackberry Festival of course! Conveniently located in Shastice Park at the base of the Gateway Trail Network. Your Mount Shasta Trail Association will have a booth so come on by and find out about local trails, get some free stickers, and find out how to get involved.
Strawberry Valley trail is only two years old but already one of the favorites on the network of trails on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It starts at Muir’s Ascension trail at the top and the Gateway trail at the bottom. Access to this trail is a little remote for hikers so consider a shuttle hike from the 10 Gallon Trailhead to the Gateway Trailhead. The trail has some great flowing bike features but nothing technical.
Sightlines are good on this trail. but always remember these are multi-use trails which include hikers, runners, and uphill cyclists. Keep an earbud out so you can hear folks coming and consider an alert bell so you can make your presence known. Did you know a custom Mount Shasta Trail Challenge alert bell is waiting for you upon completion of the always FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge? Hang it from your handlebars, backpack or even from your four-legged hiking buddy’s collar! Get information on the alert bell and everything else at this link.
Note: For the last couple months the Forest Service has been clearing hazard trees near Strawberry Valley trail and they may not quite be done yet. Please abide by Trail Closed signs for your safety and the safety of these hard working crews.