Hike Mt. Shasta

A rocky point hides in shadow above Lower Antelope Creek Lake. 

While the west side of Mount Shasta is well documented in terms of the many spectacular destinations that are found there, the east side of the mountain is far less well known. In fact, it is safe to say that it is almost totally unknown, except by a handful of people that have some kind of connection to the land and communities that are tucked away in this vast region. Nonetheless, some of the Mount Shasta area’s most spectacular landscapes and interesting geologic landmarks are to be found hidden away in this dark part of the map.

Part of the reason why the area is not well known is that it remains a vast patchwork of private timberlands interspersed with properties owned by the USFS. This makes access to some areas challenging and thus, far less visited than other destinations around Mount Mount Shasta. There are, nonetheless, some fascinating and spectacular sights to behold in the mountain’s eastern demesnes.

The glacial valley of Antelope Creek.

One of the most beautiful and intriguing areas is the headwaters of Antelope Creek. This is one of two creeks that flow out of the Cascade crest east of Mount Shasta that drain into endorheic basins. Butte Creek is further west and flows north before turning east, passing beautiful Orr Lake and draining into the eponymously named Butte Valley. Here it dissipates in the wetlands of Meiss Lake. Antelope Creek begins further east, but in the most rugged section of the Cascade crest. Here several small lakes and meadows contribute water the burgeoning creek as it flows through a wide glacial canyon. Once exiting the canyon the creek flows north past Tennant and hits a sink at the base of Cedar Mountain.

A hoodoo emerges from the lake.

The lakes that constitute the headwaters of Antelope Creek are some of the prettiest in the area. This is in part due to their unusual geology. Most of the lakes in the Mount Shasta region are found in the Trinity Divide and are set granite and ultramafic rock basins. The mountains east of Mount Shasta are volcanic and have far fewer lakes. Most of these are small, shallow and ringed with trees. The lakes at the headwaters of Antelope Creek are exceptions to this rule, being bound by tall volcanic cliffs, talus slopes and one even boasts an unusual, mushroom-like volcanic hoodoo emerging from the waters. It is a unexpected and unusual features to behold. The other lakes, though not quite as distinct are still beautiful and rarely visited specimens.

If there is a problem with this lovely setting, it is that significant portions of it burned a few years ago. Where once pristine forests marched up the slopes of the U-shaped valley, now many swaths of trees are burned. Beautiful groves of aspen lined the creek at the bottom of the valley and many of these are reduced to charred stumps. Thankfully some remain since the fire moves in irregular paths at times. The lakes and meadows were spared the fire’s wrath as well, leaving some of the area’s highlights untouched.

Though as the crow flies, it is not far from Mount Shasta, in terms of access, the Antelope Creek Headwaters are distant and remote and access is difficult in some areas. Nonetheless, it remains an incredible destination where great rewards await for those few who seek to explore it.

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