Tag: hike

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Trail Challenge Stickers Are Here!

The 2025 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge sticker sheets are here and once again our local partners and sponsors at Dragon Graphics have hit it out of the park!

These custom stickers are chock full of local specificity but the only way you can get them are by completing 6 of the 12 trails on this year’s challenge. Show your accomplishment and local pride by displaying these on your water bottle, laptop, or wherever. As always, the Trail Challenge and these stickers are totally FREE!!

Which sticker is your favorite? Is it the historic Gerard Lookout or the Ranger on Sisson’s Trail? Maybe you like one of the bike themed stickers? Castle Crags Vista Point has a great shape but so does Miners Humbug. They are even several for our younger trail challengers! Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Get your Trail Challenge passport and more information here.

FYI- Everitt Memorial Highway has just reopened to Bunny Flat if you want to check out Strawberry Valley and Lemurian Delirium.

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2025 Trail Challenge – The Waterfalls are Roaring!

Choose your own adventure!   The 2025 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge lets you choose between biking the Upper McCloud River or hiking the 3 McCloud waterfalls.  The recent rainfall and snowmelt are making for an incredible show!!

You may have to park closer to the highway until the campground opens but that extra bit of hiking just means less crowds.  The waterfall trail still has patches of snow on it and a few trees down but it’s passable for hiking.  Dog on leash friendly and trail closer to parking paved for wheelchair and baby strollers.  

We know you are anxious to see the 2025 Trail Challenge sticker sheet and the reveal is almost here.  In the meantime…THANK YOU to the trail challenge mega fan who donated a dozen custom water bottles at the Mount Shasta Visitor Center.  The first twelve trail challengers completing 6 of the 12 featured trails get dibs.  

Download your always free Mount Shasta Trail Challenge passport here.

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Trail Challenge Update and Swag!

The 2025 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge kicked off a few weeks ago so we better start telling you about the cool finisher swag!

This year we are giving away FREE “Alert Bells” to the first 100 finishers.  These bells are custom made for us by Bevin Bells in East Hampton, Connecticut.    They have our popular Trail Challenge logo on them and a very nice sound.   They work on bikes, backpacks, dog collars, you name it.   Bells work remarkably well to alert others when you are just around the bend.   It’s also a good idea to keep an ear bud out so you can hear the bell:)   

The Gateway Trail System has been a multi user trail network for more than a decade and the recent trail expansion was paid for with grant funds that mandate multi use.   Some historic trails are “Hike Only” while others are “Downhill Bike Preferred”.   Responsible trail users practice “Share the Trail” principles and should always stay under control.   With a little courtesy we can all use these beautiful trails together safely.

But that’s not all Trail Challengers…   Stay tuned for another finisher swag announcement in the coming weeks!

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The 2025 Trail Challenge Goes Live

Looking for something great to do in the gorgeous weather this weekend? The 2025 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge just went LIVE and is calling you!

Check out the Trail Challenge passport posted here.

This year’s theme is bike friendly trails and the expansion of the Gateway Trail Network. There are several new trails and trails new to the Trail Challenge to check out. There is something here for folks of all abilities, all sports and all seasons.  All this snow might make biking a challenge so whip out those skis or snowshoes! There are lots of options if you like hiking with your kids, or parents, or dog:) Maybe find a lower altitude trail like Lollipop if your favorite is still snowed in. 

Lots more information to come in future posts on finisher swag, highlighted trails, etc! For now, just get out there and enjoy this incredible weather!

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Its Not Too Late!

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:)

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Check Out the PCT Hike to Porcupine Lake

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.

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Castle Crags State Park

The Crags Trail is one of the most rewarding on the 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge and it’s featured in a great new magazine article here.

Did you know that Castle Crags State Park participates in the FREE State Library Parks Pass?   You can check out a pass at any local library or click here.

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2024 Trail Challenge – Upper McCloud River Trail

Just upstream from the very popular McCloud waterfalls, the Upper McCloud River Trail is one of the more underrated trails on the 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge.   

This flat single track trail meanders along the river for 13 miles one way.    Perfect to shuttle hike with a friend and leave cars at two different trailheads.  Mountain bike riders could make a loop with the nearby Great Shasta Rail Trail.  Pro tip: park at the Cattle Camp trailhead for a figure 8 loop keeping your car and a restroom nearby, and finish with a dip in the Cattle Camp swimming hole!

Dogs are welcome and will enjoy the occasional river access.  Might be a little long for the kiddos.  Cell phone service comes and goes.

Big shout out to the 20 person hand crew that was brushing the trail and felling hazard trees on a hot July morning!!   Perfect timing to come check out this great trail!

Get your always FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge passport and Upper McCloud River trail guide at this link.   FYI, the seasonal bridges are up at Lake Siskiyou for those of you looking to complete that trail for the challenge.

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Trail Challenge 2024 – Yet Atwàm Creek Trail

The Yet Atwàm Creek Trail is new to the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge and an exciting option if you have never been.   This trail has been recently renamed by the Forest Service and is roughly translated to “Mount Shasta Valley”.

The last few miles of road before the Cabin Creek Trailhead are gravel but passable by most vehicles.  There is a restroom at the trailhead but cell coverage is very spotty so download your maps before leaving the town of McCloud.   Dogs and kids will enjoy this relatively flat trail with lots of river access.

This trail is one of the first to clear of snow and is also nice and cool on a hot summer day.  More remote than other trails on the Challenge so you may enjoy some solitude among the trees.   With any luck you may run into a Pacific Crest Trail thru hiker as this trail briefly follows the world famous PCT.   Feel free to ask them where they are from, what is their “Trail Name” and offer some “Trail Magic” like a candy bar.   The PCT bridge is on the great Trail Challenge sticker designed by our partners at Dragon Graphics!

The trail is rated moderate but has various lengths including a longer loop found on AllTrails or other trail apps.   The first 2 miles are easy rolling single track but then include some minor rock scrambling.   To complete for the Trail Challenge go only as far as you feel comfortable.

All info on the FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge can be found at click

PCT Bridge