The Mount Shasta Trail Association is participating in Giving Tuesday on December 3rd, and early giving is now open, so you start giving back by visiting here !
This is an opportunity to donate and help the MTSA continue its vital work of stewardship and advocacy for more access to trails, trail building, and work to conserve the natural beauty of our area. Thanks to our community, we’ve been able to achieve so much, and we are excited to continue that work for generations to come. We’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you again to all those who’ve helped us along the way!
Several years ago, Tom Hesseldenz, along with MSTA and the MS Rotary, began an effort to build a launch ramp for kayaks, rafts, paddleboards, etc. Daunting challenges included selecting an optimal location, raising funds, engineering the project, convincing the County (which owns the property) to cooperate, and completing a very complex set of environmental permitting and compliance issues.
For a while, it looked like it would never happen. But Tom Hesseldenz, through sheer doggedness, hopefulness, persuasion, and donation of many hours of his amazing expertise, managed to raise the money and get the job done. Rotary was instrumental in supporting and financing much of the process. The work was completed about a week ago, and it looks terrific. It’s located just north and west of the bathroom in the parking lot just north of the Lake Siskiyou Dam. See attached photos.
Thanks to Mike Peters, Inc. for doing the heavy construction work at what I’m sure was a discounted rate, and to Joy Hall and other County employees for allowing this to go forward.
I want to reemphasize that this never would have happened without persistence and determination by Tom Hesseldenz, whose fingerprints are on many/most of the fine outdoor recreational projects in this county.
This Saturday, November 9, at 1 pm, we’re going to put in the last signs at the south end of the Learning Zone (well, OK, when we complete the north end of Huckleberry Loop, there will be a couple more). For this work day, we’ll meet at the Nordic Center parking lot, drive a short distance down Ski Park Hwy, then turn onto a somewhat rough road for about a half mile. When we park, we’ll install one “you are here” sign on a steel post in cement. Then we’ll grab 6 carsonite signposts and hike about a half mile into the forest and pound them in at another trail junction. We only need about two helpers, but if you want to see the new trails and have a nice hike, please join us. We like to have hecklers and critics as we work. I estimate about 1 hour of work, plus the hiking.
Eight of us showed up yesterday at the Nordic Center to place more signs in the Learning Zone. With John Thomson directing, we placed about 10 new fiberglass signs with trail names (mainly at trail intersections) and then dug holes and put “You Are Here” signs on steel posts using concrete. We had enough help that no one had to bust their butt. Big thanks to Dave Pfurr, Jules Unger (who carried the concrete), John Kelly, Bryson Adams, Emma Wilcox, and Jeff Shamansky! We have one more afternoon in the LZ and a batch of signs to place around Magma and Deadwood, then we’re about done with the signs under the Prop 68 Grant. AWESOME.
The weather this week is a clear reminder that the seasons are turning but don’t let that stop you from finishing your 2024 Trail Challenge! The Mount Shasta Tourist Center only has a few 2024 Trail Challenge sticker sheets left so get out there and get er’ done!
The summer crowds are mostly gone, so head back to Castle Lake or the McCloud waterfalls and enjoy them in a more peaceful environment.
The recent rains have firmed up some of our great bike trails, so maybe give Muir’s Ascension a try but please don’t damage the unopened trails like Magma or Deadwood.
Dunsmuir just made a Top 10 for Fall Foliage list so why not check out the Dunsmuir River trail for an easy walk along the river to the Dunsmuir Botanical Garden. Click here.
Lastly, go check out the super cute and BRAND NEW fish themed playground next to the Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery and the Elsa Rupp trail.
Having said all that, we ARE getting ready for the 2025 Trail Challenge and just reconnoitered a new trail in this beautiful weather. Can anyone identify this trail that will be on next year’s challenge? Hint, it’s on a lake:)
We’re going to install some signs in the Learning Zone on Monday, Oct. 21 in an effort to get the system done before winter. Some will be easy fiberglass posts with stickers and a few others will be put on steel posts in concrete. We need a half dozen volunteers; there will be some driving on rough roads, some soft dirt, and some digging and concrete mixing. Just pure fun! Work from 1 till about 4, but you can leave anytime. If you don’t want to take your vehicle into the back roads, you can ride with us. Don’t miss it. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot at 1 pm.
Why is it so hard to stay off new trails that are still closed?
It costs $40,0000-$50,000 per mile to build trails in the Gateway System! When first finished, the trails are soft and easily wrecked by usage before the rain comes. That’s why we place tape and closure signs across the entries to the trails. Despite this, poachers are tearing out the tape and destroying the signs, then riding or hiking. And they’re not just out-of-towners.
WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD THESE TRAILS TWICE!!!!
Be patient. Please respect the fundraising, environmental work, administrative hassles, and construction that go into this $2 million project. There are plenty of trails to use right now. Don’t be the yo-yo who steps over or removes tape and signs. Don’t hike, bike, or horseback ride until the trails are open. And motorcyclists, the power and weight of your bikes destroys our trails very quickly, so please, please, use the many approved roads outside of Gateway (not to mention the danger of motos on trails).
List of closed trails (as of 12 Sept, 2024):
All of the trails in the Learning Zone
Deadwood
Magma
The very bottom of Bear Springs from Road 31 to the Mt. Shasta Blvd
To be clear: this was written by John Harch, not John Schuyler.
Have you noticed all the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers in town that have been forced off the trail by the Shelly and Park fires? Would you like to experience a little bit of the world famous PCT for yourself? The 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge features a gorgeous section of the PCT that takes you to Porcupine Lake! Hikers from all over the world tell us that our local stretch of the PCT is some of the most beautiful they see on their entire 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada.
Majestic views of Mt Shasta AND Mt Lassen. Several meadows featuring fields of pitcher plants and even “Astragalus Whitneyi” aka Whitney’s locoweed. Beautiful Porcupine Lake with easy access to take a dip. The trail is 11 miles long round trip and with 1,300’ of elevation gain so maybe not for the brand new hiker. It’s almost above treeline and you’re on the ridge so it’s a little exposed and you might want to bring a hat and sunscreen. Dogs are ok on the PCT but not bikes.
Consider bringing some trail magic like clean water and candy bars for the PCT hikers you encounter. You’ll be impressed by how far they have come to enjoy what we have in our backyard.
Everything you need for the FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge can be found at this link. Search AllTrails or other trails app for “Porcupine Lake via PCT” or ask for a trail guide at the USFS Ranger Station in Mt Shasta.
Seven of us, several of whom have installed these kiosks before, got together this morning and slammed the thing in in two hours! We used our brains more than our backs, so the leveling and straightening were easier than in the past. Many thanks to Neil Posson, Chad Lancour, Emma Wilcox, Mark Derby, Bryson Schreder, and Jim Wrona (who actually behaved). There’s only one big kiosk left to place at the Vista Point, but we won’t be doing that until next year when the new trails are finished in that area.
It’s time to install the kiosk for the Learning Zone Trailhead at the Nordic Center. The hard work is done: Trail Labs excavated the hole, so we don’t have to dig like we did at McBride Trailhead (see below). We will place the steel posts, level them, attach the temporary aluminum panels, and mix/pour some concrete. Easy as pie.
Come for a few minutes or an hour or two. Stand and bark orders at the rest of us. Join the happy confusion and pleasant chaos that goes with this work. Bring some extra water for mixing/cleaning concrete and a wheelbarrow if you have one. I’ll have everything else. Meet in the Nordic Center parking lot–the work is right there, so no hiking.
