If you’re like me, you’re not thoroughly enjoying waking up each morning, smelling like a campfire, only to realize you’re not camping.
It’s been weeks since you’ve really SEEN blue sky, and you’re beginning to think that clouds don’t exist, or have been eaten by the foul, smoky haze that descended on our area weeks ago.
What’d you do?
I’ve found someplace where the sky is still blue, and the only way you’re coming home smelling like a campfire is if you build one.
It’s time to sell off the kids’ college fund, use the proceeds to fill up the gas tank and head north.
Mt. Shasta, shockingly, has been spared from the worst of the smoke. A small drive outside the city will place you at a high enough altitude where breathing will be almost fun.
Here are a few spots to spend a morning or evening that won’t cost you admission, and aren’t difficult to get to.
FAERY FALLS
– Head toward Lake Siskiyou from Mt Shasta. Take the Castle Lake Road. Take the first road on your left (it’s dirt). The road makes a ’Y’ about 1.2 miles down the road. Stay right, and head uphill. You’ll need a high clearance vehicle, or park BEFORE you get stuck. Once parked, continue walking uphill, parallel to the creek. Eventually on your left you’ll see a small trail, which will lead you to the base of the falls. Swimming isn’t advised, but slipping and falling on the slick rocks will cool you off equally as well.
If you don’t like waterfalls, then head up the Castle Lake road to . . .
CASTLE LAKE
– Castle Lake is a nice lake surrounded by granite walls and has a small walk-in campground. A perfect place to swim, fish or take a hike.
This lake can get crowded, so for solitude I recommend hiking . . .
HEART LAKE-
A 1-mile hike up from Castle Lake sits Heart Lake. It isn’t very heart-shaped at all, but it offers great morning or evening views of Mt. Shasta and Castle Lake (which, actually, is more heart shaped than Heart Lake, in my opinion). Heart Lake sits almost directly above Castle Lake, so when your trail starts to fizzle out, stay to your right because, if you stay left, you’ll end up at . . .
LITTLE CASTLE LAKE-
Another lake lying in the granite near Castle Lake. Fish, or just sit and look at the mountain. This lake doesn’t have quite the view as Heart Lake, but it is still beautiful, and less crowded.
If you’re a backpacker, all three lakes offer spots to camp if you want to get out for more than an afternoon. If sleeping under the stars isn’t quite your thing, maybe head back to Mt. Shasta and grab some food at the Billy Goat Tavern. I can’t stress enough how nice the food is here, and if you leave your bank card behind, they’ll keep it for you, without charging extra.
While you’re in Mt. Shasta, take the Everett Memorial Highway up the mountain to Panther Meadow. There, you can enjoy the sunset, drink some spring water and maybe catch someone trying to summon Lemurians or spaceships with a drum circle.
If you do go, remember:
1) Warm and cool clothing. I’ve dressed too warmly once, and had a sweaty, unpleasant hike. Another time I dressed in shorts and “enjoyed” a very windy, 35-degree evening. You’re not going to be sure of the conditions until you get there.
Don’t pack like I do.
2) Bring a camera. If you hike up for sunrise or sunset, there’s a good chance you’ll be very happy with the photos you take.
3) Water. Hydration is good. Dehydration is not.
4) Dogs are allowed on the trails. If you’re looking for a spot to get those dogs out, it’s better hiking than Petco.
5) Sunscreen. Eeven though it’s not a lot closer, you are closer to the sun and will burn faster. You don’t want to be the lobster boy or girl at work the next day.
Please remember to leave the area as it was when you found it. The last thing I enjoy is finding someone’s Miller Light can, or M&Ms wrapper on the ground when I think I’ve found solitude.
Above all, go. Have fun, and remember what it is YOU smell like again. Couldn’t be worse than campfire.
Could it?
Brian Rueb is a north state writer, photographer and educator. For more photography please visit www.flickr.com/photos/rueb
