Hike to Heart Lake — Sunday June 13, 2021

The Mount Shasta Trail Association invites the public to join us on one of the premier hikes of the region. We will walk 2.2 miles round trip above glacial sculpted Castle Lake to  Heart Lake. This little alpine pond shaped like a heart has shallow waters warmed by the sun. The pond leads to a small ledge and beyond to a plummeting valley that rises up to 14,162 ft. Mt Shasta. The views are eye popping and jaw dropping. This moderate sometimes strenuous hike with a 600 ft. elevation gain is well worth the effort.

An interesting note: the saddle above Castle Lake just before we head up to Heart Lake is in an area of the Indian battle with the U.S. Cavalry where Joaquin Miller, poet of the Sierras, was wounded by an arrow that pierced his throat in June of 1855. Miller was a dubious historian as the facts are in issue.

We will meet in front of the Best Western Treehouse in Mt Shasta, 111 Morgan Way, at 9 am. Carpooling is an option. As we will be outside, we can be safely socially distant. Bring lunch, water and if interested, a bathing suit for a refreshing swim. Hiking poles are recommended. Expect to return by 3 pm. For further questions, call Joan Roemer 530 925 9644.

Heart Lake (John Thomson)

Support MSTA on Giving Tuesday December 1st!

Please spread the word!

With your support, the Mount Shasta Trail Association has an opportunity to fix some steep, eroding segments of the trail from Castle Lake to Heart Lake—and to reorganize the maze of trails below Heart Lake into one clear pathway. But we have to act right now, before the land ownership changes. 

You can preschedule your donation starting now or on Giving Tuesday December 1st at northstategives.org/mountshastatrailassociation or mail your donation to PO Box 36, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067. 

View of Castle Lake — Photography © Mike Hupp @dawnpatrolimages