Tag: Trail Challenge

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Rick Cory Joins MSTA Board of Directors

Life is Good

The Mount Shasta Trail Association is pleased to announce that Rick Cory has joined its Board of Directors.

Rick grew up in Burlingame in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from San Jose State in 1989 with a degree in Fire Protection Engineering.   He was backpacking across Europe when the Loma Prieta earthquake occurred and brought him home.

He worked for 30 years for the Fremont Fire Department, retiring in 2021 as a Division Chief.  He worked extensively on wildland mutual aid as a Strike Team Leader and Safety Officer and responded several times to the Mount Shasta area.  Rick is very proud of his  work with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 and especially their 3-week response to Hurricane Katrina with nearly 1000 rescues.

His first introduction to this incredible area was in 1998 when (girlfriend at the time) Luce and Rick took one of their first trips together visiting Mossbrae Falls.  In 2010 they purchased a home across the street from his cousin in Dunsmuir.   They taught all of their 4 children to ski at the Mt Shasta Ski Park and how to fish in the Sacramento River.   One of his very favorite things to do is a long bike ride ending at the Dunsmuir brewpub.

Rick has watched with anticipation since 2015 as the new Gateway II trail network developed and has loved every minute working with the volunteer crews building trail.  Rick is also proud to have completed every Mount Shasta Trail Challenge since its inception in 2018 and is excited to now help continue this great program.

Luce and Rick look forward to many years mountain biking, snow shoeing, skiing, and hiking with their dogs in this beautiful area.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Bear Springs Trail – Make It Part of Your Trail Challenge!

The recent rain has really cleaned the smoke out of the air and made the dirt perfect for mountain biking or hiking. What a perfect time to check out Bear Springs Trail on the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge! Great views, flowing cross country, and technical elements with go arounds. Did you know Bear Springs Trail is expanding further up Mt Shasta to Everitt Vista AND all the way down to the town of Mt Shasta! Check out the exciting plans at https://www.gatewaytrail.org/

Posted on

The Trail Challenge Can Be Cool

Need a break from the heat?   Try the Lake Siskiyou Loop Trail on the Mount Shasta Trail Challenge!   The seasonal bridges have just gone up after a wonderfully wet winter and it is now possible to hike or bike all the way around.   The trail is fairly well shaded but still gives great views of the lake and Mt Shasta.  The best part is you are never more than a minute from the waters edge. Click here for more information.

Posted on

Mount Eddy — A Great Trail Challenge Hike

One of the most strenuous, and most beautiful, trails on the 2023 Trail Challenge is Mount Eddy via Deadfall Lakes.   The last snow blocking the trail is gone and the road is clear.  Around 10 miles and 2200’+ of climbing so maybe work your way up to this one.  Incredible 360 degree views from a great summit are worth the hard work.

This trail allows dogs as does every trail on this years challenge!!  Even Mt Shasta and Castle Crags have trails featured this year that allow dogs so if you hike with your dog, this is your year!   Feel free to post your dog hiking pictures here.

Note on some seasonal items.  The Deadfall Meadows trailhead is temporarily closed for some rehab so use the Parks Creek/PCT Trailhead.   It’s a little longer but less climbing!   Beware of bees on the summit and avoid them by staying away from clumps of flowers.

That water looks inviting!
Are we there yet?
Who cares about the view, we want treats!
Posted on

Check Out The Trail Challenge Swag!

This summer the Trail Association is again hosting a Trail Challenge to promote the beauty of the Mount Shasta area, encourage healthy exercise, and be environmentally sound stewards. This is our sixth year!

As an incentive to get you on the trail with feet, bike wheels, horse hooves or snowshoes (we recommend you wait for winter), the first 100 participants that complete at least 6 of the 12 featured trails are eligible for some of the swag pictured below, such as a stainless steel pint glass. For more information on the challenge, click here.

It all looks great!
Posted on

Trail Challenge 2023 Has Started!

Once again the Trail Association is sponsoring a trail challenge on our local trails.

For the passport and details on the 12 trails included in this year’s challenge, click here

Our goal is to provide inspiring outdoor experiences, advance appreciation of the beauty of the Mount Shasta area, and be environmentally sound stewards. 

Be one of the first 100 participants to complete at least 6 of the trails and earn a 2023 Trail Challenge stainless steel pint glass or choose from other cool swag. 

Whether a hiker, mountain biker, snowshoer, dog walker, trail runner, xc skier, or equestrian there is a truly special experience waiting for you in Siskiyou County.