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Mount Shasta City: Off the Beaten Track - Page 2

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

Mount Shasta is a dormant Volcano and is the most massive of all mountains in the US. It is more than 100 cubic meters in volume. There are seven glaciers on the mountain and snowfall is heavy each winter.

Mount Shasta is also known as the Mystic Mountain. There are those who believe it is the landing site for UFOs. Others think there are tunnels of gold honeycombing the mountain and a race of Lemurians who live there. There are also many Indian legends about the mountain. Mount Shasta is one of the most splendid, mountains I have ever seen. I photograph it every time I pass this way and the views are always different.

In 1985 the Mount Shasta Ski park opened and has been a popular winter resort ever since. Climbing the mountain is also popular. There are 17 established routes to the summit of the mountain. Avalanche Gulch Route is one of the most frequently climbed routes in the United States. If you plan on hiking here, keep in mind that crampons and an Ice Axe should always be part of your gear. There is a visitors guide at the base of Mount Shasta.

In summer, Mount Shasta Ski Park offers their ski runs to mountain bikers. It becomes a Bike, Board & climbing Park for fun in the sun. Mount. Shasta Ski Park also has a 24 foot climbing wall, open daily mid-June through Labor Day. The Park is open daily from June 25 through Labor Day from 10 am to 4 pm. Ski lift rides are also available in summer. Scenic country roads and challenging mountain biking paths are also available throughout Siskiyou County.

The free volcanic Exhibit is also worthwhile. It consists of paintings, photos, charts, graphs and a video to help explain the past, present and future of the volcano. Samples of pumice and red cinder are also free for the taking. The removal of rocks, flora and fauna from National parks are forbidden, so rock collector can help themselves here.

Climbers also frequently hike Black Butte. The trailhead starts part way up Everitt Memorial highway. The trail is 21/2 miles long and climbs nearly 2,000 feet to the summit.

Mount Shasta city is surrounded by a scenic valley of pine forests, blue mountain lakes, streams raging rivers. Shasta City and the surrounding vallley are part of Shasta, Trinity National Forest. This area is indeed paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

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