Thank you for participating in the 6th annual Mount Shasta Trail Challenge!!
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.
Download and print the Passport here
See below for active links to trail guides for these hikes.
| Bear Trail | Accessible nearly year round. Dogs are OK. A nice short hike to stretch one’s legs without having to drive too far. The relatively dense conifer forest provides a cool shady walk during the summer. Trailhead is on the College of the Siskiyous parking lot C in Yreka. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/urban-trails/bear-trail/ |
| City Park | Accessible nearly year round. Dogs OK on leash. Great for kids. Trail passes through meadows and the headwaters of the Sacramento River. Park at the Mount Shasta City Park parking lot. Great warmup to then tackle Spring Hill across the street. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/urban-trails/city-park-to-downtown-greenway/ |
| Hedge Creek Falls | Accessible nearly year round but be careful of ice on steep sections. Dogs OK on leash. Perfect for kids with close supervision. Trail passes BEHIND the waterfall as it descends to the Sacramento River. Easy to get to right off Interstate 5 at the Siskiyou Ave exit. Park on the side of Dunsmuir Ave at the well signed trailhead. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hedge-creek-falls–4 |
| Lake Siskiyou Loop | Most sections accessible year round. Dogs OK on leash. Very kid friendly right near Lake Siskiyou Resort amenities. Stunning views of Mount Shasta with the lake in the foreground. Includes paved portions that are ADA accessible. Passes over Wagon Creek Bridge, Box Canyon Dam and a seasonal bridge over the inlet. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/west-of-mt-shasta/lake-siskiyo |
| McCloud Falls | Accessible year round but may require snowshoes. Search “Mount Shasta snowshoe rental”. Dogs are OK on leash. Kids are OK under close supervision. Some portions of trail are paved and overlooks are ADA compliant. Unique opportunity to see 3 beautiful waterfalls in close succession. Multiple trailheads and parking lots. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/mccloud/mccloud-rivers-three-waterfalls |
| Spring Hill | Accessible year round but may require snowshoes or spikes in icy conditions. Dogs OK on leash. Kids OK but its a pretty good climb for little legs. Views of the Shasta area and Mount Shasta including a social media ready “picture frame” spot cut out of the tree branches. Parking lot at the base very close to City Park. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/urban-trails/spring-hill-trail/ |
| Gateway Trail System | This 10 year old ever expanding network offers some of the best mountain bike trails in the North State. This year features “Moondoggie” for hikers and “Bear Springs” for mountain bikers. Google “Mt Shasta Bike Shuttle or Taxi” for shuttle service off Everitt Memorial Highway. Site of 2023 Grinduro race series! https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/mt-shasta/gateway/ or https://www.gatewaytrail.org |
| Burstarse Falls via PCT | This trail is accessible year round when other trails may still be snowed in. Dogs are allowed. Kids OK but the start is a little tough. Trail climbs quickly at the start and then flows along the world famous Pacific Crest Trail. Park in the Dog Trailhead parking lot just north and outside of Castle Crags State Park. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/castle-crags/burstarse-falls-and-sulphur-creek/ |
| Gray Butte | High on Mount Shasta and inaccessible during the winter. Only trail on Mount Shasta where dogs are OK, they must be kept strictly on leash due to sensitive areas. Highlights include Panther Meadows and incredible views. You look DOWN on the new Gray Butte ski lift of the Mount Shasta Ski Resort near the end of this hike. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/mt-shasta/gray-butte/ |
| Castle Lake to Heart Lake | This trail is inaccessible during the winter until Castle Lake Road is plowed. Dogs are OK on leash. This is a steep hike for kids. One of the best hikes in the area with unparalleled views of Mount Shasta. Trail has been recently improved and the route to Heart Lake is now clearly marked. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/west-of-mt-shasta/castle-lake-to-heart-lake/ |
| Sisson Callahan | This National Recreation Trail drops from the Trinity Divide along the North Fork of the Sacramento River to Lake Siskiyou. Upper segment can be snowed in through Spring. Dogs OK. Tough hike for children. Additional info at the Mt Shasta Ranger Station at 204 W. Alma St. in Mt. Shasta. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/west-of-mt-shasta/sisson-callahan/ or https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_008588.pdf |
| Mt Eddy via Deadfall Lakes | A longer drive to reach the trailhead and under heavy snow in winter. Dogs are OK. Younger hikers ok if experienced. Described by some as the best views in the area this is a tough hike that really pays off on the summit. Download your map to the staging area before you lose your cel phone signal. https://mountshastatrailassociation.org/trails/west-of-mt-shasta/deadfall-lakes-and-mount-eddy/ |
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