Mount Eddy

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A Spectacular Sunrise Is Followed By A Spectacular Sunset…Just Not On Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on December 13, 2018
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

A small lenticular cloud highlights a glorious Mount Shasta sunrise. 

On the cusp of a big change in weather systems, Mount Shasta often manifests its fantastic lenticular clouds. This morning was no different, a small lenticular halo crowning the mountain’s summit. I popped up to a good vantage point and captured a few images as the sun came up. It was a fantastic morning.

I was hopeful that the excellent sunrise would give way to an equally excellent sunset. My desire for this was made stronger by the fact that rain and snow are moving in for the better part of the next week and the chance to see the mountain would be gone for a while. My hope seemed to be rewarded as great cloud patterns continued to pass overhead all day.

Continuing what is threatening to become a weekly ritual, I headed up to Bunny Flat with my two sons while my daughter was in her dance class. The conditions were beautiful, with deep snow, blue sky and far-reaching vistas. The view south toward Lassen Peak was particularly great. The whole time we were up there, the interesting clouds continued to fly over Mount Shasta. I was very optimistic of a spectacular sunset.

We headed down the mountain and picked my daughter up. I then hauled the kids to an easy vista from which to document the sunset. Almost instantly the clouds departed from over Mount Shasta. While the mountain remains a tremendous sight, especially at sunset, no matter what the cloud situation is, I was nonetheless deflated by the clearing skies. The light was beautiful but the accent in the sky was absent.

However, although the lackluster clouds had lessened the anticipated sunset, they had not done so elsewhere. To the north above Black Butte there were some beautiful clouds catching the light of the fading sun. Even more sublime was the staggering formations above Mount Eddy. The long clouds arced overhead, seeming to follow the dome of heaven’s contours. It was one of the most impressive Mount Eddy sunsets I have witnessed.

I was naturally disappointed such a special vision had not occurred over Mount Shasta but on further reflection, I reckoned it was right and appropriate for Mount Shasta to be lessened a bit and for its smaller siblings, Black Butte and Mount Eddy to receive their special due. As I have noted, they are overlooked and underrated, despite hiding in plain sight.

 

Update:

The sunset over the mountain may have been dissappointing but the next morning was epic!

Mount Shasta – A Sunrise After Smoke

Posted by bubbasuess on September 7, 2017
Posted in: Cascade Range, Hiking, Lenticular Clouds, Mount Shasta. Tagged: . 4 Comments

Sunrise lenticulars galore!

It was really hot over the weekend but beginning Tuesday, the temperatures have been dropping and the changing weather seems to have flushed the smoke right out. This morning was particularly nice, since there was no haze and Mount Shasta was graced with some fine lenticulars! I noticed them a little too late to really maximize the light, but I was able to get out to somewhere where I could capture them.

Mount Shasta had a nice lens-shaped disk catching the morning light. While the shape of the cloud was not really unusual (though still quite beautiful), it was on this morning notable, since the sun, still low in the sky, was casting a shadow on the lenticular, just above Mount Shasta’s summit. That was a phenomenon I haven’t seen before from this angle and it was really neat to observe. To the northwest of the mountain was a large collection of turbulent clouds. They changed their shape pretty rapidly, but held to the general pattern of a large disk situated above a swirl of changing clouds. This too was a grand sight, though it would probably be better further to the south. Nonetheless, I was grateful to be able to witness it. All in all, a pretty spectacular morning, especially given how quickly it has come on the heels of a month of oppressive smoke.

I don’t want to jinx us (I probably am for saying this) but this morning at least it feels like we have turned a corner. Cooler temps are in the forecast, autumn approaches and, Lord willing, we will be rid of the smoke for the rest of the year. I am still a bit downtrodden about what is going on in the Columbia River Gorge, but hopefully the worst is past in that fire and the healing can begin. Hopefully there will be more mornings like this one in the near future!

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5 Trails To Peaks Around Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on September 25, 2016
Posted in: Hiking, Mount Shasta. Tagged: , , , , . 3 Comments

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Mount Shasta is an awesome sight from Mount Eddy.

Driving into Mount Shasta City, there is a sign stating that the community is “more than a peak experience”. This is certainly true, but, to transfer that sentiment to a different context, it is also more than a single peak experience. There are many other mountains around Mount Shasta that deserve attention besides the awe-inspiring volcano itself. Some of these peaks are rugged and craggy, some are more rounded and subdued. Most them, whatever their shape and character, have great vistas and are fun climbs. Their accessibility ranges from remote and difficult to easy to climb and get to.  However, some of the peaks scattered around Mount Shasta are blessed to have trails leading to the summit, making them perfect for hikers looking to get an elevated perspective. Of course, since the paths lead to summits, they may not prove to be the easiest hikes, though they are generally not too challenging. Whatever your perception of their difficulty, the sight from the top is inarguably awesome and worth the effort to reach them.

5. Goosenest

One of the high peaks on the Cascade crest north of Mount Shasta, the Goosenest is an old volcano that boasts lava flows and a large crater at the top. The trail to the summit is not long, though it does get a little steep in some places. Though the trail passes through some excellent old growth Shasta red fir, it is also one of the few places to find the very rare Baker Cypress, a tree that only grows in small pockets in a few northern California counties and even more isolated pockets in Jackson and Josephine Counties in Oregon. The trail ascends the rim of the Goosenest’s crater en route to the top, where incredible vistas await. The view is particularly awesome for how it shows Mount Shasta bottling up the southern end of the Shasta Valley.

4. Black Butte

The hike up to Black Butte is one of the classic hikes of the Mount Shasta area. The trail was originally constructed to access a fire lookout that once occupied the summit. While the tower is long gone, the foundation still exists and it is easy to see why this was a good place to watch for fires. The mountain comes to a single pointy summit and there is a 360 degree panorama taking in all the mountains from Lassen Peak to the south to Mount McLoughlin to the north in Oregon. The climb up to the top has a few surprises along the way. The most notable is a canyon found on the peak’s north side. From below, Black Butte appears to be perfectly conical but one of the five eruptive episodes that created the mountain produced this talus-filled gully.

3. Ash Creek Butte

The first thing to note about the climb to the top of Ash Creek Butte is that there is not exactly a normal trail. What there is is some old logging skid trails and then a narrow use-path through open terrain to follow. The route is not hard to figure out and the skid trail and the faint path are more than enough to make the route obvious. That being said, this is an incredible hike to an incredible peak. Loaded with fascinating geology and tons of solitude, the peak is also blessed with one of the most unique perspectives of Mount Shasta. Situated on the great volcanos east side, this is one of the few vantage points where the giant secondary cone of Shastina is completely obscured. Consequently, Mount Shasta appears like a single, solitary cone, more typical of what one normally expects of a giant stratovolcano. It is an unforgettable sight.

2. Castle Peak

Though it seems unimpressive from town, this is one of the peaks prominently visible to the west of Mount Shasta City. On closer examination, Castle Peak is revealed to have rugged cliffs and a collection of excellent lakes tucked into basins around its flanks. Chief among these is superlative Castle Lake, one of the finest mountain lakes in the entire Klamath Mountains. Above that is beautiful Heart Lake, owner of one of the greatest Mount Shasta vistas. Of course, Heart Lake does not have a monopoly on great vantage points, since the summit of Castle Peak is one of the finest in the region. Stretching from the northernmost Sierra Nevada to Southern Oregon, the view is particularly awesome when gazing down on the Castle Crags, the chaotic jumble of peaks, towers and spires rising dramatically out of a descending ridgeline. Of course, Mount Shasta might catch your attention too.

1. Mount Eddy

The fact that Mount Eddy holds the number one spot on this list should come as no surprise. I have made no secret of my high opinion of this trail. It simply has the best combination of the factors that make a great hike. It passes through lush meadows, along rushing creek, through a gorgeous lake basin with numerous bodies of water and backed by dramatic technicolor cliffs and boasts the finest summit vista in the North State. It really is tough to beat. Worth noting is the presence of foxtail pines, a species that is only found around the Klamath Mountains but also hundreds of miles away in the southern reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Seldom Seen: Upper Wagon Creek

Posted by bubbasuess on May 24, 2015
Posted in: Hiking, Mount Shasta, Seldom Seen, Waterfalls. Tagged: , , . 13 Comments
Wagon Creek flowing toward Mount Shasta.

Wagon Creek flowing toward Mount Shasta.

Many of the creeks and rivers around Mount Shasta are well known. The McCloud and Sacramento Rivers receive great renown and many of the creeks, like Mud Creek, Squaw Valley Creek and Castle Creek are lauded for their beauty. They are all wild, wonderful courses of water in beautiful mountain landscapes. However, one exceptional creek goes unappreciated. Wagon Creek is familiar to many, winding along Old Stage Road west of Mount Shasta City. It flows past houses and through forests before eventually being stilled at Lake Siskiyou. It has also given its name to the landmark Wagon Creek Bridge, which crosses over the eponymously named arm of Lake Siskiyou. While the bridge has raised the creek’s profile a little, it gives no indication of how marvelous and scenic the upper section of Wagon Creek is. Boasting beautiful waterfalls and powerful cascades surging through rocky chutes, the early sections of its journey are almost more vertical than horizontal, falling thousands of feet down the flanks of Mount Eddy in a tumult of whitewater. Yet, aside from brief glimpses of the cascades from far below, upper Wagon Creek remains seldom seen, appreciated by the few who make the trip to enjoy its delights.

A section of the surging Wagon Creek cascades.

A section of the Wagon Creek cascades.

Wagon Creek begins high on the slopes of Mount Eddy, in large basin often referred to as Eddy Bowl (fear not, Eddy Bowl will get just consideration in a future post!). Though Mount Eddy is not volcanic, the shape of the bowl can at times appear like a crater, remnants of some past eruption. While this is not the case, it is broad, with tall walls closing it in. The bowl is home to several small ponds and patches of meadow, all of which constitute the headwaters of Wagon Creek. The disparate streams emerging from the ponds and meadows are all collected at the base of the bowl, where Wagon Creek is born as a large waterway. It then enters a narrow gulch and begins its swift descent down the lower slopes of Mount Eddy. Losing over 2,000 feet in less than 2 miles, this section of its journey is an exciting and beautiful scene. Frothing water leaps and pours through the red, rocky chasm, plunging from one cascade to the next in seemingly endless sequence of cataracts. When the creek is swollen with snow melt from the spring thaw, this roiling strand of water is visible from far below at the bottom of the valley. The Abrams Lake Exit on I-5 has a particularly good view, though the white water seems all but in accessible from below. What remains hidden from view, however, are a pair of beautiful waterfalls.

Wagon Creek Falls

Wagon Creek Falls

Wagon Creek Falls is among the least known waterfalls in the Mount Shasta area. It is part of a special group of beautiful but utterly unappreciated waterfalls that includes some gems on Mount Shasta, a few specimens deep in the Castle Crags and a couple of surprising falls on the South Fork of Castle Creek among a few others. Under normal circumstances, each of these would be the destination of a popular trail, but now they are shrouded in anonymity and left to their own, wild devices. What is missed with Wagon Creek Falls is a plunge with classic waterfall lines. Pouring through a notch in a serpentine cliff, Wagon Creek Falls is a tall, rectangular cataract. Its lines are reminiscent of Vernal Falls in Yosemite, albeit much smaller. It is about 35-40 feet high and though not a world-beater when it comes to size, it remains a very beautiful falls nonetheless. As a bonus, there is another, shorter and less classic waterfall just upstream. I refer to it as Upper Wagon Creek Falls. The pair makes a great 1-2 punch for those who favor falling water.

Wagon Creek flows through Mills Meadow.

Wagon Creek flows through Mills Meadow.

When the Wagon Creek completes its tumble down Mount Eddy it is instantly quieted as it flows through sublime Mills Meadow, easily the prettiest meadow in the region, save those small patches that cling to the barren slopes of Mount Shasta. The meadow is broad and beautiful, ringed by forests of aspen, pine, fir, cedar and oak. In the fall, it has some of the best color around. The meadow retains an immense amount of water, acting like a massive sponge. For this reason, Wagon Creek’s flow is fairly substantial all year, regardless of how much rain or snow has fallen. The contrast from the raging cascades and waterfalls to the slow moving meander across Mills Meadow is as striking as it is beautiful. It gives Wagon Creek a varied personality, all of which worth beholding. Interestingly, the creek marks the northern limit of the Sacramento River watershed. The headwaters of the river proper are actually southwest of Wagon Creek.

Unfortunately, the upper section of Wagon Creek is difficult to reach. There is no doubt that this has, in part, contributed to its anonymity, and to the anonymity of Wagon Creek Falls. The cascades and the waterfalls can be approached from a couple of directions, both of which are long and in some cases, gruelingly steep journeys. The shorter (but steeper!) route is also beset by private land, which further restricts access. However, for those how make the trek, they are rewarded with one of the most wild and beautiful and powerful creeks in the region.

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Five High Country Hikes To Enjoy This Weekend

Posted by bubbasuess on November 8, 2014
Posted in: Mount Shasta. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment
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Mount Shasta from the Clear Creek Trail

With the warm weather expected over the weekend, the next few days will be a wonderful opportunity to get outside and enjoy the mountains one last time before the cold weather really begins to set in. However, with the road past Bunny Flat closed, there is sometimes a sense that the season has passed and the high country is now out of reach. While this may be true for the trails that begin up at the Old Ski Bowl, there are still plenty of fantastic high country trails that are waiting to be enjoyed. Some of the higher elevation may have some snow on the ground but in most places, there isn’t much more than a very thin layer of ice. Despite the lateness of the season, there is still a tremendous diversity of high country trails to hike. Whether on Mount Shasta or in the Trinity Divide, there is still time to get out and enjoy the Mount Shasta region’s incredible scenery! The following are five great options for excellent high country hiking this weekend.

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The view north from the Black Butte Trail

5. Black Butte

The giant volcanic cone of Black Butte is prominently visible throughout much of the Mount Shasta area. At 6,358, it is not among the tallest peaks around the great mountain but it does have a tremendous amount of relief, towering over 2,000 feet above surrounding area. It would be a major landmark in its own right if it were not for the obvious and overshadowing presence of Mount Shasta. Hiking to the summit of Black Butte is often impossible in the winter, when snow covers the trail and the exposure is very dangerous. Making matters worse, the snow lingers on the trail for a long time because of the route’s location on the peak’s north side. Right now the way is clear and this is a great time to enjoy the hike’s incredible views.

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Olbermann’s Causeway, near Horse Camp

4. Horse Camp

While the last stretch of the Everitt Memorial Highway may be closed, it is still easy to drive quickly to high elevation at Bunny Flat. From here, you can hike either the Green Butte Ridge Trail or the short path to Horse Camp. The latter is preferable at this point because Green Butte does have some snow on it. Horse Camp, on the other hand, is below the current snow line and is reached quickly. From there you have numerous options for climbing higher. While the hikers headed to Helen Lake and Hidden Valley must contend with some of the white stuff, there is plenty of room to explore the lower areas of Avalanche Gulch without having to deal with any snow.

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The Seven Lakes Basin

3. Seven Lakes Basin

This is one of the best trips in the Mount Shasta area and it is still a great option even though we are moving into the cold season. The hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail along the top of the Trinity Divide, with fantastic views in all directions. The vista is particularly awesome to the west, where the sawtooth towers of the Trinity Alps form a spectacular horizon. Not to be outdone by the western vista, the view to the east is utterly dominated by Mount Shasta. After a couple of easy miles on the PCT, the view of the Seven Lakes Basin unfolds beneath the trail. Many of the lakes are visible from here and the towering cliffs, Boulder Peak and the brooding Grey Rocks make a memorable scene. Hikers can continue further and visit Helen Lake or descend down into the basin to explore the rest of the lakes.

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Mud Creek Canyon from the Clear Creek Trail

2. Clear Creek Trail

The journey on the Clear Creek Trail is one of the most spectacular trails in California. Even though there may be some snow higher up near the springs, the lower section is still an awesome trail with some of the best views of Mount Shasta, Mud Creek Canyon and Mud Creek Falls. The trip starts in old growth red fir forests and climbs onto the east rim of Mud Creek Canyon where there are epic views. Higher up the trail climbs into a large basin containing the headwaters springs of Clear Creek. The Konwakiton, Watkins and Wintun Glaciers all cling to the cliffs above the basin. Volcanic spires loom high overhead, marching inexorably toward Mount Shasta’s summit. While there may be a bit of snow in the basin right now, the odds are good that the going will still be easy.

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Mount Eddy and Upper Deadfall Lake

1. Mount Eddy and the Deadfall Lakes

Often overlooked because of Mount Shasta, Mount Eddy is a tremendous mountain in its own right. The view from the summit is among the finest in Northern California and certainly the best north of Lake Tahoe. There is just a thin layer of snow near the summit and the rest of the trail is generally clear. With Mount Shasta white and the way clear to the top, now is a fantastic time to climb to the view. If that were not enough, the hike passes through awesome Deadfall Basin, where the trio of lakes is an incredible destination on their own. Just hiking to the lakes is a fantastic high country trip; perfect the warm weather this weekend. While the summit of Mount Eddy may be a bit too much for little legs, the hike to the lakes via the PCT is a great outing for kids.

Lofty Subjects: The Five Tallest Peaks Around Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on March 30, 2014
Posted in: Cascade Range, Glaciers, Hiking, Mount Shasta, Trinity Divide. Tagged: , , , , . 4 Comments
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Ash Creek Butte is dwarfed by mighty Mount Shasta.

Mount Shasta is the unchallenged monarch of mountains in Northern California. No other mountain in the Golden State dominates the landscape the way it does. The mountain can be seen from well over 100 miles away in most directions. Its visibility is due in part to its unbelievably massive size and soaring height. Mount Shasta can also be seen from great distances because it towers so high above all the other mountains in the region. This is not to say that mountains that surround Mount Shasta are not high or lack impressive size in their own right. On the contrary, many of the peaks are quite remarkable on their own merits. Still few mountains can compare to the great height and incredible bulk of Mount Shasta. Being overshadowed does not mean that the lesser mountain around the mountain deserve to be cast into obscurity. They should still be appreciated for their own splendid qualities. Though they all exist in Mount Shasta’s shadow, the five highest peaks around the mountain remain extraordinary. They also represent the dramatic differences between the two mountain ranges that flank Mount Shasta. On the west side are Mount Eddy and China Mountain, both high peaks of the vast Klamath Mountains. To the east and north of Mount Shasta are the Goosenest, Whaleback and Ash Creek Butte. These three peaks are among the highest in the California section of the great Cascade Range. Not surprisingly, these peaks all have fantastic views of Mount Shasta. What are often less appreciated are the views of these high peaks from Mount Shasta itself. It should not come as a surprise that the trials on Mount Shasta yield excellent vantages from which to observe the mountains that surround Mount Shasta. Whether climbing these peaks to gain perspective of Mount Shasta or hiking on Mount Shasta and gazing down at the mountain’s neighbors, these five peaks deserve more consideration than they often get.

Mount Eddy (9,025)

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Mount Eddy seen from the South Gate Trail.

The highest point in both the vast Klamath Mountains range and its subrange, the Trinity Divide, Mount Eddy is a colossal mountain in its own right. Boasting an awesome array of alpine lakes and verdant meadows, Mount Eddy is almost large enough to be considered a small mountain range on its own. Composed of peridotite and serpentine, the mountain is an unusual patchwork of bright yellows and reds. It is definitely one of the more colorful mountains in the Mount Shasta area. Mount Eddy has experienced significant glacial activity in the past, as evidenced by its deep lake basins and soaring vertical cliffs. While hiking on Mount Shasta, it is difficult to miss the brooding massif that is Mount Eddy. Both the Green Butte Ridge Trail and the Old Ski Bowl section of the South Gate Meadow Trail have spectacular views of the highest mountain around Mount Shasta.

China Mountain (8,542)

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China Mountain observed from Diller Canyon.

Easily the most obscure of the five highest peaks around Mount Shasta, China Mountain rarely ranks high on hiker’s lists of favorite mountains in the Mount Shasta region. This is unfortunate because hikers who ignore China Mountain are missing out on one of the most rugged and beautiful mountains around. Blessed with sheer cliffs and three lake basins, the China Mountain area always seems to be overlooked. Despite the obscurity, the mountain has much to offer hikers. The three lakes basins make great hiking and scrambling destinations. At the same time, because of its obscurity, China Mountain offers nature-lovers a deep since of isolation. As if reflecting the obscurity of China Mountain, no trails on Mount Shasta offer really exceptional views of the peak. However, for those explorers fortunate enough to make the journey into Diller Canyon, a tremendous view of China Mountain awaits to the west.

The Whaleback (8,528)

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The Whaleback viewed from the North Gate Trail.

One of the most prominently visible peaks to the north of Mount Shasta, the Whaleback gets its name because the large mountain is thought to look like the back of a diving whale. Excluding Mount Shasta, the Whaleback is the highest peak in the Cascades between Crater Peak in the Lassen area and Mount McLoughlin in Oregon. Like the vast majority of summits in the Cascades, the Whaleback was once an active volcano. A small crater is situated just below the summit. The small summit and great bulk of the mountain are typical of shield volcanos. These are formed by numerous, successive volcanic eruptions. Lava spills out layer after layer, gradually building the mountain up. The area around the Whaleback saw significant logging activity in the last century but much of the mountain is still covered in large stands of virgin timber. The heavily wooded peak, combined with the its rounded summit give the Whaleback the least rugged appearance when compared to the other high peaks around Mount Shasta. Since it is situated on the great mountains northeast side, the lonely North Gate Trail offer great views of the Whaleback is it climbs up to the foot of the North Gate plugs.

Ash Creek Butte (8,378)

Ash Creek Butte

Ash Creek Butte rises beyond Brewer Creek.

While the other Cascade peaks around Mount Shasta could be described as having rounded summits with small craters, Ash Creek Butte is a strikingly rugged and craggy mountain. Rising to a narrow, pointed summit, Ash Creek Butte exhibits significant glacial activity. At least two major glacial cirques are found on the mountain’s north side and a possible third cirque is located on its east face. The cirques were once home to large glaciers that ground the rounded, smooth-sided mountain down and exposed gaping, rocky canyons in their wake. The Surprise Basin on Ash Creek Butte’s north side is the most impressive. Though the glaciers are gone, much of their detritus remains in the form of Surprise Lake, a smaller, unnamed lake and a large fossil rock glacier. This peculiar feature was formed when portions of Ash Creek Butte collapsed after being undermined by the glacier. The collapsed debris covered the glacier, which subsequently melted away. The debris now appears like the fossilized remnant of the glacier. Of all the high peaks around Mount Shasta, Ash Creek Butte is the most isolated and least known, though it is also the most impressive in appearance, other than Mount Eddy. The best views from Mount Shasta trails are found on the equally isolated Brewer Creek Trail, particularly from Brewer Creek itself.

The Goosenest (8,280)

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The Goosenest rises above the Cascade crest.

Classic volcanic peak, the Goosenest is the most prominent summit on the east side of the Shasta Valley. The rounded, dome-like summit is blanketed in large lava flows. Though the woods have begun encroaching on the large flows, they are still easily discerned from far below in valley. The summit consists of a largely bare, ashy rim around a deep crater. The rounded rim is what gives the mountain its nest-like appearance. Two trails wind their way to the summit. On the north side is a maintained foot path. The south side is traversed by an old road that climbs up from an old quarry. The foot path is a much nicer climb. Despite the Goosenest’s great visibility throughout the area to the north of Mount Shasta, it is only prominent from a pair of trails, the Whitney Falls Trail and the North Gate Trail. The latter in particular has the best views since it climbs high enough on Mount Shasta to gain a perspective that shows the Goosenest rising high above the other peaks on the Cascade crest.

FiveTallesPeaks

The Headwaters Loop: A Proposed Backpacking Loop In The Trinity Divide

Posted by bubbasuess on November 26, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Mount Shasta, Pacific Crest Trail, Rivers, Trinity Divide. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 9 Comments
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Mount Shasta stands regally beyond the Cliff Lakes, the headwaters of the South Fork of the Sacramento River.

The Sacramento River is California’s longest and largest river. It draws its water from more than five major mountain ranges: The North Coast Range, the Klamath Mountains, the Cascade Range, the Warner Mountains and the enormous Sierra Nevada. Out of this vast territory, the place where the Sacramento River first rises up and begins its journey to San Francisco Bay is in the Trinity Divide (not to be confused with the nearby Trinity Alps). This is the highest subrange of the Klamath Mountains. It is in the Trinity Divide that the North, Middle and South Forks of the Sacramento emerge from extensive meadows and alpine lakes and flow through rugged canyons to combine their waters to form California’s greatest river. The Trinity Divide, though by no means a well-known mountain range, is one of the prettiest and most diverse ranges in Northern California. Mount Eddy and the Deadfall Basin, Porcupine Lake, the Seven Lakes Basin, the Castle Crags and the Castle Lake area are all incredibly scenic areas, most of which are blessed with incredible views of mighty Mount Shasta. Though most of these areas lack formal wilderness designation, they are all still primeval lands both wild and rugged.

While studying the Trinity Divide on a map a couple of months ago, I was amazed how much of an incredible backpacking loop is composed of pre-existing trails. By combining existing sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Sisson-Callahan Trail and the Lake Siskiyou Trail 85% of a giant loop already exists. In other words, 34 miles of what would ultimately amount to an approximately 40 mile loop already exists. That such a spectacularly epic loop is nearly in existence already but remains unexploited is surprising. Considering the length, remoteness yet ease of access and absolutely magnificent scenery, this loop could be a major draw for the Mount Shasta area. It could easily become a destination trail, attracting backpackers from other parts of California and out of state to come and enjoy a sublime loop through great terrain and nearly constant stupendous views. The significance of the trail’s relationship to the genesis of California’s largest and longest river should not be underestimated either.

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Views from sections of the Headwaters Loop

The loop would presumably begin at Lake Siskiyou and head west up the Sacramento for nearly two miles. At the confluence with the North Fork of the Sacramento, the route would begin climbing up the Sisson-Callahan Trail. This trail ascends the length of the North Fork through a rugged and wild canyon to a sprawling meadow complex in the shadow of Mount Eddy. From there the trail climbs steeply up the flank of Mount Eddy to the divide between the Deadfall Basin and the North Fork Canyon. This is the only rigorous climb of the entire loop. After a quick side trip up to the staggering views at the summit of Mount Eddy (for my money, the finest vista in Northern California), the trail drops down through gorgeous Deadfall Basin, passing the stunning lakes as it heads down to its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Once on the PCT the loop heads south along the spine of the Trinity Divide. Views of Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps and the Divide itself are incredible. Highlights along the way include Toad and Porcupine Lakes, the latter nestled in a stunning granite cirque at the foot of pyramidal Porcupine Peak. From there it is a few easy miles through excellent scenery to Gumboot Saddle.

Beyond Gumboot, the trail continues south a little further, still graced with amazing views, until it reaches another saddle between the Mumbo Basin and the Seven Lakes Basin. The larger Seven Lakes Basin is an easy side trip. The PCT then turns east and begins its long descent down the great central rib of the Trinity Divide that culminates in tremendous fashion at the Castle Crags. Views from this section of the trail continue to amaze and now include the Seven Lakes Basin far below the trail, the ragged Grey Rocks, the Castle Crags and Lassen Peak and the southernmost Cascades far to the east. As the trail proceeds eastward, the views of the Castle Crags continue to get better and better until it is an overwhelming presence. After traversing the headwaters basin of the North Fork of Castle Creek, a use trail leads over the shoulder of Castle Peak and into the Castle Lake Basin. Here backpackers can enjoy the splendid view of Mount Shasta from Heart Lake. It is then time to make the final descent down to Lake Siskiyou, completing the loop.

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The Headwaters Loop. The dotted lines indicate places where there is no trail or road.

Only two sections of this proposed loop have not been constructed. The most significant portion is the leg descending from Castle Lake down to Lake Siskiyou. This consists of approximately 4.5 miles. The precise length would depend on which of the numerous routes the trail could take. There is currently an old road running down the east side of Castle Lake Creek and this would likely be incorporated into the trail until it intersected the road from Lake Siskiyou up to Castle Lake. From there a number of possibilities open up. Probably the most difficult to construct but by far the most scenic option would be to route the trail through the canyon carved by Scott Camp Creek. Currently trailless, few venture into this canyon which has some surprisingly rugged cliffs. The other lacuna in the loop is from Lake Siskiyou’s inlet up the Sacramento River to the confluence with the North Fork. Several use trails already exist along some of this section and one of them could easily be absorbed into the loop. Extending the path along the Sacramento River to the North Fork would complete the loop. Due to the scenic qualities of the river in this area, this section of trail would probably become popular with hikers who are not looking to hike the circuit around the Sacramento’s headwaters but would just want to enjoy a beautiful and scenic trail.

I plan on exploring some of the areas where there are gaps in the headwaters loop and I will post some thoughts and images along with my assessments regarding the best option for filling in these missing portions of the epic loop around the Sacramento River headwaters loop. Does this loop look interesting to anyone else? Any feedback is appreciated!

Five Fantastic Mount Shasta Vistas

Posted by bubbasuess on October 28, 2013
Posted in: Castle Crags, Glaciers, Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Mount Eddy, Mount Shasta, Trinity Divide. Tagged: , , , , , . 4 Comments
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Herd Peak offers incredible views of Mount Shasta from the north.

Mount Shasta is a lone giant, towering more than a vertical mile above its highest neighbor. Since the massive volcano is so prominent, it is not difficult to enjoy the incredible views of California’s finest mountain. All one has to do is take a drive on I-5 or Highway 97 to find absolutely tremendous scenes of Mount Shasta soaring 10,000 feet overhead. This gives even the casual traveler passing through the area a good sense of the mountain’s majesty. However, one of the great pleasures of exploring the Mount Shasta region is finding those great vistas that offer different perspectives of the mountain and also place it within the broader context of the entire region. The truth is that, as wonderful as Mount Shasta is, there is no shortage of spectacular scenery surrounding the mountain. Whether it is the Trinity Divide and the Castle Crags, the southern Cascades and Lassen Peak, the serrated granite spires of the Trinity Alps, the twisted and beautiful Marble Mountains, or distant Mount McLoughlin in Oregon, there is an abundance of other high country attractions to appreciate. Indeed, Mount Shasta is the crown of a truly stunning mountain region.

Picking the best vistas of the Mount Shasta area is a completely subjective exercise. There is plenty of room for debate as to what constitutes a great view. I tend to lean towards panoramas, where the more that can be seen the better, especially if the breadth of the view does not come at the expense of the essence of the view. That is to say that, particularly in the context of views of Mount Shasta, the overall expansiveness of the view does not detract from the view of the mountain itself. All the other scenery is crowned by the mountain and enhances it rather than obscuring it. Still, by this definition there are many, many great spots from which to appreciate Mount Shasta and the area’s other awesome geography. This is evinced by the exclusion of incredible vistas like the summits of Black Butte and Castle Peak or the iconic view from Heart Lake. The five viewpoints on this list offer great views of Mount Shasta and the rest of the geography of the area. However, what sets them apart from other vistas is the immediate vicinity of the view. It is not just that one can see a lot from these places but that the great beauty of the region surrounds these spots, with memorable sights close at hand. The viewpoints are great for both imminent and panoramic qualities.

As always, if anyone is curious about details in getting to these places, feel free to send me an email.

5. Grey Rocks Summit

Mount Shasta and Castle Crags from the summit.

Mount Shasta and Castle Crags from the Grey Rocks.

This is possibly the most obscure summit of the Mount Shasta area though it does not deserve to be. It certainly is the most difficult vista on this list to reach. The Grey Rocks are a series of craggy towers in the remote southern section of the Trinity Divide. They are accessed via a difficult scramble up the side of the towers and no small amount of “manzaneering” (bushwhacking). However, the view from the summit is one of the most rewarding. The centerpiece is Mount Shasta towering over the length of the magnificent Castle Crags. To the south are the glittering jewels of the Twin Lakes and Tamarack Lake, backed by their tall cliffs. The Trinity Alps unfold to the east while to the south rise Shasta Bally and Bully Choop down by Redding. Lassen Peak and the other high peaks of the southernmost Cascades line the horizon to the east. The Trinity Divide and Mount Eddy extend to the north. Still, it is the great cone of Mount Shasta and the awesome granite chaos of the Castle Crags that makes this vista so memorable.

4. Peak 7,149 “Many Lakes Mountain” Summit

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Mount Shasta and the Cliff Lakes.

Though it lacks an official name, Peak 7,149 does not lack a view that will leave an indelible mark on those who make the easy scramble up to its summit. I dubbed the mountain “Many Lakes Mountain” because it lies at the hub of three large lake basins and is surrounded by no less than 14 named lakes and a handful of unnamed tarns. This is far more than any other peak in the area can boast, including the mighty towers in lake filled areas like the Trinity Alps. Of course, these ranges are prominently visible from the top of Many Lakes Mountain, especially the Trinity Alps which lie only a short distance to the west on the far side of the Trinity River Canyon. However, it is the views of the Cliff Lake and Seven Lakes Basin that define this vista. To the south the dark jumble of the jumble of the Gray Rocks looms above the broad Seven Lakes Basin. To the east, the terraced steps of the awesome Cliff Lakes lead down to the South Fork of the Sacramento River, which draws the eye to Mount Shasta, once again presiding regally over everything.

3. Herd Peak Lookout

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Mount Shasta and Sheep Rock viewed from Herd Peak.

Not all great views require a hike or difficult climb. Herd Peak Lookout is accessible by car and only requires a climb of about 50 feet up some stairs to enjoy the view. The lookout is situated on a small rock pinnacle north of Mount Shasta, at the southern end of the Cascade Crest. Possibly the best view of the north side of Mount Shasta, it also takes in much of the Trinity Divide, the Marble Mountains and the Siskiyous, including a rare opportunity to observe the enigmatic Red Buttes. The various cinder cones of the cascades pock the landscape to the east and the giant cone of the Goosenest looms ominously to the north. Still, the highlight is the chaotic layers of Sheep Rock in the foreground of Mount Shasta. The awesome Bolam and Whitney Glaciers are prominently visible from this perspective. The lookout is manned in the summer.

2. Little Mount Hoffman Lookout

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Mount Shasta and Little Glass Mountain.

Another drive-to vista, the lookout on Little Mount Hoffman near Medicine Lake just misses the top spot. It is an incredible sight with possibly the most far-reaching vista of any in the Mount Shasta area (excluding the view from on Mount Shasta itself, of course). Beginning in the southeast, one can observe the entirety of Lassen Volcanic National Park, including volcanic cones just to the east in the Caribou Wilerness. Panning west from there, the view includes the vast range of mountains east of the McCloud River, the Yolla Bollies south of Redding, Bully Choop, the Grey Rocks and Castle Crags, the Trinity Alps (notably the Mount Gibson area) and much of the Trinity Divide, all of which leads up to Mount Shasta. North of the mountain lies the Marble Mountains, the Siskiyou and the Cascade Crest, including the Goosenest. Amazingly, the panorama continues. It extends into Oregon and is highlighted by Mount McLoughlin, the rounded summits of the Sky Lakes Wilderness, the old caldera of the Mountain Lakes Wilderness and the rim of Crater Lake, including Mount Scott. Even a bit of Mount Thielsen, far to the north can be observed. As incredible as this all is, it is what lies immediately to the west within the line-of-sight of Mount Shasta that inevitably draws attention. Just below Little Mount Hoffman is the chaotic swirl of the Little Glass Mountain lava flow. A vast amount of obsidian protrudes from the dark mass. Beyond Little Glass Mountain are the mysterious peaks around Ash Creek Butte. Over all of this, as always, towers Mount Shasta. Though the mountain is a bit further away than the other vistas on this list, it still looms large. An added bonus is the chance to see the rarely seen east side, capped by the enormous Wintun and Hotlum Glaciers.

1. Mount Eddy Summit

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Mount Shasta looms beyond Mount Eddy.

It is difficult to imagine a finer view than the 360 degree view from the top of Mount Eddy. The tallest of Mount Shasta’s neighboring peaks, it still falls more than a mile below the summit of the great volcano. Still, standing as tall as gives it an unparalleled view of the Mount Shasta area. All of the usual suspects are present: the Lassen area, the Yolla Bollies and the Bully Choop area by Redding. To the west nearly every major peak of the Trinity Alps’ high eastern half can be observed in all of their craggy glory. Just below the summit to the northwest are the gorgeous Deadfall Lakes. Beyond the lakes lie the red Scott Mountains, the granite peaks of the Russian Wilderness and the convoluted maze of the excellent Marble Mountains. To the north is the underrated China Mountain, the Siskiyous, Shasta Valley and Mount McLoughlin in Oregon. The Cascade Crest, topped by the Goosenest are also prominent. The entirety of the Trinity Divide lies at the feet of Mount Eddy, each peak able to be inspected with great detail. The spires of the Castle Crags, the jumble of the Grey Rocks and the folded ridges and canyons of that form the headwaters of the Sacramento River all beg to be pointed out. Despite all of the amazing scenery, it is still Mount Shasta, the lone monarch, which demands attention. Only 16 miles to the east, the great mountain seems close enough to reach out and grab.

Descent Into Mystery: The Sisson-Callahan Trail

Posted by bubbasuess on August 7, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Meadows, Mount Eddy, Mount Shasta, Mount Shasta History, Pacific Crest Trail, Rivers, Seldom Seen, Trinity Divide, Wilderness. Tagged: , , , , , , . 3 Comments
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The North Fork Of The Sacramento River Descends Into The Unknown.

Few trails in the Mount Shasta area have the aura of mystery that surrounds the Sisson-Callahan Trail (SCT). At one level it is something of an enigma on account of its extremely light use. Compounding this, there is a general paucity of information on the trail. Hikers looking for beta on the trip are bound to be stymied (until they stumble upon the SCT page on Hikemtshasta, of course) and must commit to the long trail with little preparation but a few brief descriptions, some of which are inaccurate, and a map of the trail. Yet, the lack of good information on the trail and the fact that the SCT is nearly forsaken by hikers is not the only reason for the enigmatic cloud that seems to hover over the trail. The very course the path charts imbues it with a sense of secrecy. The trail begins in the open, sunny heights of the Deadfall Lakes Basin and then descends into, to borrow Joaquin Miller’s description of the woods around Mount Shasta, the great black forest of California. It is a passage from height and light into depth and dark. But it is a grand and varied journey.

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Mount Eddy reigns high above the Deadfall Basin.

Perhaps the SCT is cast in obscurity in part because its more distant, higher trailhead is inaccessible by car. One must hike a few miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in order to reach the western terminus of the SCT. This section of the PCT is generally not obscured by trees and is bathed in light, with far reaching vistas of the Trinity Alps and the cardinal crest of the Scott Mountains. Upon arrival at the beginning of the SCT on the outskirts of Deadfall Basin, the crimson cliffs begin to encircle the trail, wildflowers greet hikers merrily and the lakes wait to refresh trail-worn. The multi-hued tower of Mount Eddy, characterized by a tall, ragged cliff, oversees this wonderful mountain fastness with a brooding presence. From the glorious vantage at Upper Deadfall Lake, the SCT makes a swift climb to the rim of the basin. Hikers bound to follow the SCT are joined here by those heading to the summit of Mount Eddy, so the path is not a forsaken one. However, at the crest of the basin’s rim, the Deadfall Lakes Trail turns left, and continues to the summit of the mountain while the SCT is truly the road less traveled. Those who choose this path now begin the great descent into a seemingly unknown land.

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The North Fork flows through the meadow complex.

After having climbed out of the Deadfall Lakes Basin, the nature of the SCT changes immediately. What was once a broad, well-traveled trail becomes a narrow, lightly used path. Though the condition of the trail is the first inkling that the SCT has now become a journey into an enigma, it is quickly accompanied by a loss of grand vistas. Though the Castle Crags, the Trinity Divide and the Lassen area are visible briefly, the clarity afforded by the first few steps of the descent is lost to the marvelous trees. These ancient denizens of the North Fork of the Sacramento River’s canyon are large, lovely and unusual, especially the out-of-place foxtail pines. As the trail nears the bottom of the canyon, it turns east and enters a fantastic meadow populated by clusters of lodgepole pine. Unlike earlier meadows and grassy areas, the views from this collection of meadows are clouded by the presence of countless trees. Still, light filters through and the area can be sunny and the red flanks of Mount Eddy are visible at times. As one continues to the east, the trail passes in and out of meadows, through the trees and stays very close to the path’s now constant companion, the North Fork of the Sacramento. As the canyon deepens, the forest grows thicker and views are eaten away, the river remains constant, a guide through the heart of the great black forest that waits ahead.

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The North Fork leads through the dense forest.

Finally, the last vestiges of the meadow are consumed by the forest and the river, once a playful stream laughing its way through grassy banks, transforms into a racing, crashing river. It cascades over boulders and fallen trees, only standing still long enough to gather itself in pools below cataracts before surging over more boulders. The forest itself has finally pressed in, closing off all but the immediate channel of the river. The views are gone and all that remains to link the hiker to the world beyond the dense woods is the river itself. Still, the forest has a deep, primeval beauty, even though it casts a pall of mystery over the canyon. There are hidden sites around this canyon but an accurate understanding of the area is necessary to be able to pierce the wall of trees and find them. Eventually, even the beauty of the forest is worn away and the final leg of the hike is a long push down to the North Fork trailhead. At the very end, the woods finally recede, pushed back as the river widens. The light returns and hikers are refreshed by the crossing of the river as they make the final steps to the end of the journey.

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Light on the river.

The SCT is a beautiful trail but it is shrouded in enigma. Little has been written and few claim to have made the whole journey. Those that have completed it passed through some of the most isolated country in the Mount Shasta area. Still, it is a wonderfully diverse trip, made the more dramatic by the unknown quality the trail has. It is many things with many pretty sights but at its heart, it is a descent into mystery. That is perhaps the trail’s greatest attribute. The land is beautiful, rugged and wild but the attraction of the unknown enhances these attributes. Though well plotted by cartographers, it is a dark spot on most hiker’s map, despite lacking formal wilderness designation. Perhaps in the near future, this trail will traverse an area protected in its primitive state so that those who seek a land seldom seen will be assured that the SCT retains its secretive allure.

Sisson-Callahan Trail

A Mount Eddy Wilderness?

Posted by bubbasuess on June 3, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Mount Eddy, Mount Shasta, Trinity Divide, Wilderness. Tagged: , , , , , , . 3 Comments
Trinity Divide, Mt. Eddy - Oct2008 006 (Custom)

Mount Eddy and Upper Deadfall Lake.

Mount Shasta dominates the California Northstate. It can be seen from the summit of peaks south of Lassen Peak to tall mountains deep into Oregon. Its massive bulk is obvious from as far east as the Warner Mountains, mere miles from the Nevada border. It is a wild, glacier-clad, regal mountain. It seems as though all other peaks fade into insignificance at the foot of the mighty volcano. Yet, despite the intimidating competition, there is one mountain in Shasta’s immediate vicinity that is worthy of far more acclaim that is receives and possesses many notable features in its own right. Mount Eddy, the second highest summit in the region, is a grand mountain in its own right. Without doubt, Eddy cannot compete with the grandeur or Mount Shasta, which stands a mile taller than Mount Eddy. Nonetheless, while Mount Shasta commands respect, Eddy at least demands some as well. Among the litany of notable qualities, Mount Eddy is the tallest peak in the Trinity Divide, is the tallest peak in the entire Klamath Mountain range and is the tallest summit in the United States west of Interstate 5. It is also one of 57 ultra-prominence peaks found in the contiguous 48 States (topographical prominence is the measurement of how high and independent a mountain is. It is measured from the first topographical line that encircles a peak and not higher mountain. Ultra-prominence is 5,000 feet of prominence or higher). If Mount Eddy were not stuck in the enormous shadow of Mount Shasta, it would receive more recognition for the grand mountain that it is.

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Mount Eddy and the Eddy Range from the Castle Crags Wilderness.

There are two wilderness areas in the Mount Shasta area. One encompasses the higher reaches of the great volcano. The other includes most of the granite spires of the Castle Crags in addition to an isolated alpine lake basin. Both of these wild lands are relatively small, though they do pack an inordinately large scenic punch. Of course, a little further to the west, there is nearly a million acres of wilderness divided between the Trinity Alps, Russian and Marble Mountains Wilderness Areas. Still, in the land immediately around Mount Shasta and Mount Eddy, there are only the two relatively small pockets of wilderness. In legal terms, an area that is designated as wilderness is left in its primeval state. No development can take place, no machinery be employed and natural processes are left to take their course. As the law famously states, man is a visitor in these lands. Typically, though not absolutely, lands that receive wilderness designation have notable and highly scenic qualities (this is not an official criterion for wilderness designation, but by their very nature it often works out that the wild lands are beautiful).

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Deadfall Lakes below Mount Eddy.

Without doubt, Mount Eddy has the scenic qualities worthy of wilderness preservation. In addition to multiple alpine lake basins and lush meadows, Mount Eddy is composed of bright multi-hued peridotite that usually manifests in yellow and orange. The Eddy Range and other nearby ranges such as the Scott Mountains and parts of the Trinity Alps represent the largest concentration of this kind of rock outside of Alaska. The rock also makes for poor soil the plant life in these areas are specially adapted to life in harsh conditions. The inhospitable environment also contributes to the barren appearance in Mount Eddy’s higher reaches. Thrown together, these elements combine to create an especially scenic, and in many cases, spectacular landscape. If it were not for Shasta’s mighty cone a few miles to the east, Mount Eddy would be a leading destination in its own right.

This raises the question as to why there is not a Mount Eddy Wilderness. If the mountain is worthy of wilderness designation and its special and scenic attributes are worth protecting, why has this not been done? It is not for lack of desire that it has not come to pass. The obstacle to wilderness designation lies in the 19th century. When the Southern Pacific Railroad laid track up the Sacramento River Canyon, the government, as was the normal practice at the time, gave the railroad sections of land (by section, I refer to a surveying section, which is one square mile and contains 640 acres) creating a checkerboard pattern of alternatingly private and public sections of land. Additional sections were sold to private individuals who had mining claims. Like much of the land between Mount Shasta and Redding, this was the case on Mount Eddy as well. The private inholdings, some of which constitute the heart of the Mount Eddy area, prevented the formation of a contiguous block of land necessary to establish a wilderness area. Even though wilderness organizations have recommended the creation of a Mount Eddy Wilderness, there have been too many roadblocks up until now.

The situation has changed in the past few months. In the fall of 2012, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest acquired more than 700 acres of land around the summit of Mount Eddy from a private owner. The national forest is now negotiating a sale for an additional 2,300 acres from the same owner. When these sales are completed, the necessary core for a wilderness to be created on Mount Eddy will be present. Conversations with the relevant personnel at the national forest have revealed that it is their intention to work toward wilderness protection for Mount Eddy once all of the necessary criteria have been met. The acquisition of the private inholdings is the most significant of these. There will probably be little opposition from private groups since most of the use on Mount Eddy already consists of recreation that would continue after the establishment of the wilderness area. Of the current uses only snowmobiles and OHV would be restricted. Of course, wilderness designation requires an act of congress, so even once all of the necessary steps have been taken, it is uncertain when the process will be completed. This is also a contentious issue with people who are sensitive about private landowner’s rights. I count myself one so concerned but this land is already owned by the federal government and will not effect private owners. Indeed, private ownership is what has prevented this action up until now and it is their desire to sell that has initiated the move toward wilderness preservation on Mount Eddy.

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Sections acquired in red. Sections under negotiation in blue.

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Porcupine Lake, at the southern end of the proposed wilderness.

What will be included in the Mount Eddy Wilderness? At this point, it is impossible to predict. An early proposal from the Calwild organization included a significant portion of the Scott Mountain north of Mount Eddy. This would have included the Bull Lake and Caldwell Lakes areas. At this point, I think that this becoming a reality is unlikely. Nonetheless, a significant amount of roadless land can be cobbled together that would incorporate most of the Eddy Range. It is possible to include all of the lakes on Mount Eddy, the North Fork of the Sacramento Canyon and even the Toad and Porcupine Lakes basins. The wilderness would essentially encompass the crest of the Eddy Range and descend down the upper portions of the North Fork and Middle Forks of the Sacramento River. This area is already prime hiking territory and has many great off-trail scrambles too. The establishment of a Mount Eddy Wilderness would further emphasize the hiking and backpacking use of this land and preserve it in its primeval state.

Mount Eddy Wilderness

My proposal for the Mount Eddy Wilderness.

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Mount Shasta viewed from Mount Eddy.

There are a few great trails in the area that would constitute the Mount Eddy Wilderness. Most notable is 10.5 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. The southern portion of this makes a great hike up to Porcupine & Toad Lakes. The northern portion of the Eddy section of the PCT leads to the beautiful Deadfall Lakes, one of the prettiest areas in the Northstate. Another trail climbing out of Deadfall Meadows also arrives at the basin, where there are a series of beautiful alpine lakes. From there a trail leads to the summit of Mount Eddy and the finest view anywhere in the Northstate (I think it is better than the view from Mount Shasta because you can actually see Mount Shasta). The Sisson-Callahan Trail also climbs out of Deadfall Basin and descends into the canyon of the North Fork of the Sacramento, which it then follows all the way to the main fork of the river, 12 miles distant. There are also great off trail scrambles to grand but elusive lakes like Little Crater, Dobkins and Durney Lakes. It is an area ripe for exploration.