Trail Challenge 2024 – Thank You Rotary!

The 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge has only just started and we already have a huge announcement!!!   The Rotary Club of Mount Shasta has made a significant donation and we are excited to announce that our regular capacity has increased from 100 finishers to 150!   That’s right, we now have 150 RTIC water bottles and 150 Dragon Graphics sticker sheets.

The Rotary Club is specifically hoping to attract the younger trail users of Mount Shasta with this additional capacity.  The Trail Challenge is open to all abilities and that includes trail users of all ages!   Hit the paved portion of the Lake Siskiyou Trail with your baby stroller.  Young kids may love checking out the HUGE crane on the Dunsmuir River Trail.  Try out the brand new Muir’s Ascension trail with your young adult mountain biker.

The Mount Shasta Trail Association is working with the Rotary to reach out to local youth organizations and spread the word about this great program.  Feel free to support this effort by reaching out to your local schools, scout troops, church groups, and sports teams.

 Click here for your passport.

Trail Challenge: Ready. Set. Go!!

The 2024 7th Annual Mount Shasta Trail Challenge is off and running.   Or hiking.  Or biking.  Or XC skiing!!

This year our theme is water and all the waterfalls, lakes, and rivers of the Mount Shasta area.  Timing could not be better as the lakes are filling, the rivers are raging, and the waterfalls are roaring.  Seriously, the rivers really are raging right now so use extra caution and avoid any storm damaged or eroded trails.

There are quite a few trails new to the Challenge and of course discovering new trails is part of the fun.   Check them all out on the brand new 2024 Passport.   Download your own passport at https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/mt-shasta-trail-challenge/  to get started.  All the instructions you need are on the Passport.

This year we feature some incredible swag for at least the first 100 finishers.  An RTIC water bottle and a complete set of awesome 12 trail specific stickers from our partners at Dragon Graphics.

As always, the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge is open to all and FREE of charge thanks to our generous sponsors and thoughtful donors.

Take a Sneak Peek at the 2024 Trail Challenge!

The kickoff of the 2024 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge is imminent, but until then here’s an exciting sneak peek!

Our partners at Dragon Graphics have created a complete set of custom, trail specific stickers for you to show your pride of completion.   Finish just 6 of these 12 trails and get the whole awesome collection.   Not available anywhere else or for sale, these are only for Trail Challenge finishers.  A big THANK YOU to Dragon Graphics of Chico, CA who donated all of their time and design expertise to produce these great stickers.  

Look closely and you’ll recognize at least some of the trails that are part of the 7th annual Trail Challenge.   The Mount Shasta Trail Challenge is all season so feel free to get started!  This rainy weather is an incredible opportunity to see a roaring waterfall or strap on your snowshoes to see a higher elevation trail.  Start slow on an easy trail or be adventurous and check out a trail new to you.   

Feel free to share in the comments which sticker you like best!  Look for the official kickoff announcement and passport to be posted on this site very soon.

Support Trails This Giving Tuesday

It has been an extraordinary year for the Trail Association as we expand the Gateway Trail system. We still need your help to get all 46 miles of new trail and 5 trailheads across the finish line!

Please consider donating to MSTA on Giving Tuesday this November 28th. As an all-volunteer organization, 98% of donations are invested in on-the-ground projects.

The Community Foundation of the North State will be awarding different non-profits monetary prizes throughout the day on Tuesday, so donations made between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM increase MSTA’s chances of getting an additional $1,000 or more!

Here’s the link for donations: click

Your support is what makes our work possible!

Let the Trail Challenge Be Your Fall Color Guide

Autumn colors are exploding in the Mount Shasta area and it’s a perfect time to finish your 2023 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge passport! Hedge Creek Falls trail is a short easy trail that passes UNDER and BEHIND Hedge Creek Falls! Get a great view of the Sacramento River from the scenic lookout or continue all the way down to the rivers edge. Easy access and parking right off I-5 in Dunsmuir. Dogs and kids will love it. Bonus Karma for picking up trash left by others.

Here’s a chance to do TWO trails on the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge!

First off, the Spring Hill Trail is a great moderate hike with some elevation right off I-5 and downtown Mt Shasta. There is an Instagram ready view of Mount Shasta on the way up and views of Black Butte and Castle Crags from the summit. Dogs are OK, bikes are not, and kids will love it:)

Secondly, Mount Shasta City Park offers 2 miles of easy trail. The headwaters of the Sacramento River are are a great place to cool down after your hike! The headwaters are a very special place. Another option is to hike the City Park before tackling the moderate hike up Spring Hill.

Still a few months to finish the 2023 Mount Shasta Trail Challenge! Check out these and all the other great Mt Shasta area hikes on the Trail Guide tab of the MSTA website here.

Trail Challenge 2023 — Check out the McCloud River Trail

Looking for a great trail that has something for everyone? How about the McCloud River trail on the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge! THREE waterfalls, swimming holes, tall trees, campgrounds, fishing spots, and dogs are OK. This trail is ADA accessible around the trailheads and otherwise mostly flat and easy. There’s still time to download and finish the 2023 Trail Challenge!!

Check out the Trail Challenge here.