After a very dry 2014, the month of December gave us some much needed precipitation. While it was mostly rain in the low areas around Mount Shasta, the snows have finally descended on the high country. Despite the drop in temperature, this does not mean that hiking is no longer a viable activity in the area. On the contrary, there are several fantastic trails that can be hiked this time of year. With the weather looking sunny for the next week before more rain (or hopefully snow) moves in, this is a great time to review the trails that are generally accessible when the white stuff has smothered the alpine trails.
Mount Shasta City Area Trails
Around Mount Shasta City, there are many trails that offer either great views or the opportunity to enjoy one of the area’s fantastic natural spectacles. Obviously Mount Shasta and the surrounding peaks will naturally draw attention, but the Sacramento River and many of its tributaries also offer fantastic hiking with rugged, beautiful and often historic scenery. These trails are incredibly convenient and are located either right on the edge town or just a couple minutes outside of the community. For convenience, scenery ease of hiking, these are tough to beat.
Three Winter Hikes Near Mount Shasta City
Two Winter Hikes On The Lake Siskiyou Trail
Short Trails In Mount Shasta City
Shasta Valley Trails
Falling as it does in the rainshadow of Mount Shasta, the Shasta Valley is an obvious destination for hiking in the winter. With less precipitation, it is unlikely for any of the trails to be covered in snow for more than a couple of days after a major storm. This is a great blessing for hikers looking to get outside in the wintertime. The juniper and sagebrush flats are punctuated by lava flows and small volcanic domes. While the terrain is interesting and a great change of pace from the pine and fir forests that are ubiquitous in other parts of the region, it is the epic views of Mount Shasta’s glacier clad north face that is the highlight of these trails.
Winter Hiking In The Shasta Valley
Winter Hiking In the Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento River Trails
The Sacramento River lies low enough that it often escapes the worst of the winter snows, leaving the trails available to hikers looking for some beautiful riparian scenery. Though there are not many trails along the river, and those that there are are not long, the trails are still good options for winter outings and can fill the void many of us need for natural settings until other, high trails become available.
Three Trails Along The Sacramento River
Castle Crags Trails
Although many of the trails in the Castle Crags are high enough to get substantial snow, they are often still available during the winter. This is especially true of some of the paths that wind through the Crags’ lowest reaches. Some judgement should be exercised when considering a winter hike in the Castle Crags. Admittedly, these are hikes that are optimal in the spring rather than winter. Nonetheless, these should not be completely avoided in the winter.
Spring Hiking In The Castle Crags
McCloud River Trails
Like the Castle Crags, the McCloud River is high enough that it can get enough snow to make winter hiking unrealistic. However, much of the winter the trails can still be accessible and the river, especially its three waterfalls, should not be avoided. This can also make an epic snowshoe trip!
I hope that everybody had a great Christmas and that 2015 is a fantastic year for all of us. Thanks for reading HikeMtShasta.com!
