Trail Highlights
| Trailhead location | Castle Lake parking, 10 miles SW Mt Shasta City |
| Length | 2.2 miles (round trip) |
| Elevation gain / max | 600′ / 6,050′ |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| When to go | May – Nov (trail), Year round (snow) |
This is one of the premier hikes in the Mount Shasta region, giving large rewards for a modest effort. The climb to peaceful Heart Lake opens views to Black Butte, Mount Shasta, Mount McLoughlin and the surrounding country.
Trail Map
Other Maps
AllTrails: Heart Lake Trail from Castle Lake
Trail Details
Starting from the Castle Lake parking lot, head southeast along the trail, across a small drainage stream. In the spring, this delta may require some careful crossing.
Follow the largely un-signed trail up a moderate incline along Castle Lake’s eastern shore. You start to quickly gain height and some perfect lake views open up, continuing .7 mi and gaining most of the climb. Conservation of this ecosystem is vital, and this trail is extremely popular – please help by staying on the most heavily used trail at all times. If it is green don’t tread there.
The trail splits in places, follow the most-established trail to a saddle 100 feet before a small pond. Go right at the saddle and follow an unsigned trail southerly and then westerly for a half-mile to reach Heart Lake.
The view from this point is spectacular – Mount Shasta, Black Butte, the Eddys and Mt McLoughlin stand large, sentinels of the region. A short walk west of the lake reveals a couple tiny ponds and a campsite. Agile hikers in good shape can head southeasterly up to top of the ridge for world-class views of the surrounding topography.
Controlling Agencies:
Wilderness Land Trust
wildernesslandtrust.org
The Wilderness Trust currently holds the title to Section 19, which most of this trail passes over. Please support their efforts to preserve this land and get it added to the National Forest
Mount Shasta Ranger Station,
Shasta-Trinity National Forest,
204 West Alma, Mount Shasta, CA 96067
(530) 926-4511
Directions to Trailhead
Trailhead is accessed from Castle Lake parking lot. In winter the road does get snow, check the Mt Shasta Avalanche Center and USFS road conditions.
Other Trails
Not the trail you were looking for? Check out our guides for other great trails nearby.