The Lower Deadfall Trail is closed to the public from 7/10/2023 – 8/4/2023 for trail restoration and boardwalk installation. The closure is well marked at both the Lower Deadfall Trailhead as well as at the junction with the PCT at Deadfall Lakes. This work is important to maintain the health of the meadow system that it runs through as well as to prevent erosion and trail braiding. We are asking users to refrain from using the trail so as not to interfere with the work because of the presence of equipment in the area that could pose as a safety hazard. We appreciate your compliance.
Taylor Cole Recreation Management SpecialistForest Service Shasta-Trinity National ForestShasta McCloud Management UnitO: 530-926-9653 taylor.cole2@usda.gov204 West Alma St. Mount Shasta, CA 96067 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people
One of the most strenuous, and most beautiful, trails on the 2023 Trail Challenge is Mount Eddy via Deadfall Lakes. The last snow blocking the trail is gone and the road is clear. Around 10 miles and 2200’+ of climbing so maybe work your way up to this one. Incredible 360 degree views from a great summit are worth the hard work.
This trail allows dogs as does every trail on this years challenge!! Even Mt Shasta and Castle Crags have trails featured this year that allow dogs so if you hike with your dog, this is your year! Feel free to post your dog hiking pictures here.
Note on some seasonal items. The Deadfall Meadows trailhead is temporarily closed for some rehab so use the Parks Creek/PCT Trailhead. It’s a little longer but less climbing! Beware of bees on the summit and avoid them by staying away from clumps of flowers.
That water looks inviting!Are we there yet?Who cares about the view, we want treats!
Uncertain of who might show up in warm weather to help out, I arrived at the Spring Hill Trailhead yesterday morning a bit before 8:30 to find four volunteers waiting next to their vehicles impatiently tapping their feet, with their arms folded. Within a short time, there were 13 of us gathered. We got all the weed whackers going, with a “swamper” to rake the cut weeds for each operator. Thanks to Emma Wilcox, John Kelly, Neil Jacobs, Rick Cory, John Whitson, David Tucker, Ray Uhlig, as well as Emily, Brooks, and Heidi Andrus! Mike Cooper worked even though he is recovering from major back surgery. John Brennan showed with his big pickup to haul away abandoned car parts (a door, etc.) and many of the weeds. We were done thrashing the weeds and cleaning up in 90 minutes!
Oh, yeah? Then come help us clean up the trailhead this Saturday, July 15 at 8:30 am. We mainly need to cut the high weeds and rake them away (also, there’s some abandoned car parts). If we get a half dozen volunteers, I bet we can do it in 60-90 minutes. If you don’t show up, I’m gonna do it all by myself and you’ll miss all the fun. How about that? Meet at the trailhead. And bring a weed whacker if you have one.
This summer the Trail Association is again hosting a Trail Challenge to promote the beauty of the Mount Shasta area, encourage healthy exercise, and be environmentally sound stewards. This is our sixth year!
As an incentive to get you on the trail with feet, bike wheels, horse hooves or snowshoes (we recommend you wait for winter), the first 100 participants that complete at least 6 of the 12 featured trails are eligible for some of the swag pictured below, such as a stainless steel pint glass. For more information on the challenge, click here.
If you missed last Saturday’s sign installation work party, don’t despair. We’re doing it again just for you. This time, we’ll be putting in the four-inch fiberglass signs with decals, but also placing some steel signposts with slightly larger, aluminum signs. We’ll attack several sites. There will be the easy decal placement that anyone can do and slightly harder (but quick) pounding in of the fiberglass posts. If you want to get dirtier and work a bit harder, you can help dig a couple holes, mix cement, and place the steel posts. Oh, what fun!
Meet at the Gateway Trailhead on Everitt Memorial Hwy at 9 am this Saturday, June 24.
Thirteen eager beavers showed up Saturday morning, June 17 to begin the process of labeling and installing the signs necessary to prevent confusion while using trails. The beautifully obsessive-compulsive engineer John Thomson gave preliminary instructions on how to label and exactly where to install, then stood back while the group elbowed each other to get it done. No one was hurt in the flurry of excitement, and about sixteen new signs went in.
Thanks to Neil, Ray, Davis, Lynn, Emma, JP, Rick, Dave, Mark, Nick, Neil, and Kerry!
Once again the Trail Association is sponsoring a trail challenge on our local trails.
For the passport and details on the 12 trails included in this year’s challenge, click here
Our goal is to provide inspiring outdoor experiences, advance appreciation of the beauty of the Mount Shasta area, and be environmentally sound stewards.
Be one of the first 100 participants to complete at least 6 of the trails and earn a 2023 Trail Challenge stainless steel pint glass or choose from other cool swag.
Whether a hiker, mountain biker, snowshoer, dog walker, trail runner, xc skier, or equestrian there is a truly special experience waiting for you in Siskiyou County.
Below is information regarding a bear that is being fed near the McCloud Reservoir. The USFS is concerned that this bear will get more aggressive and eventually have to be destroyed if people keep feeding it. You can help by spreading the word and perhaps volunteering to inform the public at the site.
STRONG MESSAGE: A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
A black bear yearling has been observed near the popular boat ramp at McCloud Reservoir. The Forest Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have received reports of forest visitors feeding the bear, and as a result, the bear has become conditioned to fearlessly approach humans and their vehicles for food. The bear is old enough to forage for itself without a mother. It does NOT need supplemental feeding from people. A person knowingly feeding a black bear could be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 251.3.
The Forest Service is currently working with partners at CDFW to resolve this ongoing issue. In the meantime, we recommend that the public avoid the McCloud Reservoir boat ramp area. If you do choose to recreate in the area, please take the precautions:
Do not feed the bear
Do not leave food out and unattended
Ensure the bear-proof trash cans are properly closed
If you are approached by the bear, CDFW recommends that you:
Keep a safe distance. Back away slowly.
Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
Make noise by yelling, using noisemakers, or whistles. If small children are present, keep them close to you.
DO NOT run. Do not make eye contact. Let the bear leave the area on its own.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it properly. If a black bear makes contact – fight back. Then call 9-1-1.
Any encounters can be reported through CDFW’s wildlife incident reporting system at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir or directly to the Human-Wildlife Conflicts Specialist for Siskiyou County, Ian R. Keith (ian.keith@wildlife.ca.gov; 707-415-6120).
Thank you for recreating responsibly.
If you wish to help save this bear, call Daniel Hewitt (USFS Recreation Officer) at 530-926-9210.
Right now, there’s a terrific opportunity to enjoy some of nature’s splendor using existing and new Gateway Trails. Start at the GW Trailhead on Everitt Memorial Highway and head up the original Gateway Trail. About a half mile up, you can turn sharply left on the new Moon Doggie Trail (there’s a single, etched, plastic marker on a juniper post that says “Trail” with an arrow at that site. Turn left there instead of following the arrow straight). This entire route is covered in purple creeping sage in full bloom, as photographed by Mike Hupp (below). You can see more of his photos on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mike.hupp.581/posts/6349907108430986?notif_id=1686517095693494¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif
