Tag: Trail Challenge

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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
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Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is celebrated around the planet every year on April 22 and is a great opportunity for us to “Think Globally and Act Locally”.   For more information from earthday.org, click here.

You can support Earth Day every day by helping keep our incredible trails free of trash.   Get a trash picker at one of our local hardware stores and bring it on your hike.  Maybe there’s a little room in your bike hydration pack to pick up some trash on your ride.    Some trailheads don’t have trash cans so just clean up that area before heading home.

The FREE Mount Shasta Trail Challenge is another great way to participate in Earth Day every day.  Complete just 6 trails on the challenge and get an awesome stainless steel water bottle.  No more wasteful plastic bottles!   

Picking up trash is a good thing to do
Reduce single-use plastics
Complete the Trail Challenge and get a great reusable bottle
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Trail Challenge 2024 – Check Out Dunsmuir River Trail

Here’s an easy trail along the Upper Sacramento River that connects two unique and beautiful parks. This trail is a little narrow and has just a bit of elevation but it’s short and pretty easy. You can park at either end but the Botanical Garden has more spaces and a restroom. As this trail runs right along the river please be extra careful if it has storm damage or erosion.

The Dunsmuir Botanical Garden is in a beautiful setting along the river and hosts many weddings. It is very popular for fishing with easy river access. There is a large lawn and many tables for a picnic. Sometimes you can hear a big freight train rumble by just across the river. Check out more info on the gardens here.

Tauhindauli Park celebrates the long and varied history of Dunsmuir. Much of the trail in this area is ADA accessible including river and fishing access. At least through 2024, there is a HUGE construction crane here that the kids will love. Make sure to check out the self guided tour sign boards.

If you’re feeling extra adventurous continue downstream another half mile along the river and River Avenue to the charming old railroad town of Dunsmuir. There are markets in town with ice cream for hot days and coffee shops for cold days.

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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.

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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.

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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.