Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Mt. Shasta and McCloud Area Hiking Trails

Upper McCloud River Trail

Enjoy a leisurely day hike or short walk along the upper McCloud River. This trail is accessed at several points along the McCloud River Loop Road and skirts the upper portion of the McCloud River. This trail begins at Lower Falls Day Use Area and winds its way for approximately 12 miles along the river to Cattle Camp Campground. Along the way you will pass the three falls of the upper McCloud River, displayed below, including the picturesque Middle Falls. The trail itself is a relatively easy hike with some paved sections. This trail is an excellent way for fishermen to access the river's edge to drop a fly or lure.

How do I get there?

Take Highway 89 for 15 miles east of the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 89, and 5 miles east of the community of McCloud, then turn south on a paved road signed for Fowlers Campground. Go 0.6 miles through the first intersection and bear right following the signs to Lower Falls Day Use Area. The trailhead is at the bottom of the Lower Falls stairway.

Squaw Valley Creek Trail

Squaw Valley Creek is a beautiful stream, lined with deep, sun-dappled pools, boisterous waterfalls, and long rapids. Umbrella plant of Indian Rhubarb grows thickly along the rocky shores shading the water beneath ad dark formations of basalt hem the stream and provide spectacular bluffs and obstacles to the water's flow. It flows through a mature mixed conifer forest that includes Douglas fir, Pacific yew, pine and cedar. Black oak, vine maple and dogwood form the understory and provide brilliant color on brisk autumn day. The ground is moss covered and damp. Wild ginger, iris, wild rose, bleeding hearts and skyrockets grow profusely. You should be alert to poison oak...it grows everywhere along the trail.

The Squaw Valley Creek trail meanders five miles along Squaw Valley Creek and ends at a private locked road that heads down to the McCloud River. It is a there and back trail, with lots of level ground and gentle climbs. It periodically dips to creek level where one can picnic, fish for native trout and swim. There are few locations that are suitable for camping along the trail but a good place for a backpacking camp is at the south end. Shortly after beginning your hike down the trail you will come to another trail that joins Squaw Valley Creek from the east via a footbridge. This is the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) winding its way from the Lower McCloud River to Castle Crags. It and the Squaw Valley Creek Trail run concurrently for a short distance until the PCT forks off and heads up-hill. The junction is marked.

As you hike the trail, watch for the tracks of black tailed deer, black bear and other animals. If you are quiet you might be lucky to observe one or more of these animals in the wild. Listen for the chatter of stellar's jays, the kakking call of the northern goshawk. Watch for American dippers or ouzels in the stream. In the evening you could hear the hoot of the great horned owl.
The trail was conceived by Tom Hesseldenz and Mt. Shasta Trail Association. 

How do I get there?

From Interstate 5, take the McCloud exit (State Route 89) and travel south approximately 13 miles to the town of McCloud. Turn right at the McCloud central business district, following the signs for Squaw Valley Creek Road and the McCloud Reservoir. Continue on this road for 6.1 miles. Just past a camping and RV park named "Friday's Retreat", turn right onto Lower Squaw Valley Creek Road. This is a dirt road with a sign saying "Rough Road", but is easily passable with a highway vehicle. Continue on this road for 3.1 miles. At this point, you will cross over a concrete bridge. The parking area and trailhead are on the left immediately after you cross the bridge. The trail crosses Cabin Creek a short distance after you leave the trailhead and follows the west side of Squaw Valley Creek. Further information about this beautiful hiking trail may be obtained from the McCloud Ranger Station.

Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail

Spectacular mountain scenery can be found along the entire route of the 9 mile Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail. Mt. Shasta rises to the east and Mount Eddy lies to the north. No less spectacular are the views of Castle Crags to the south and the Trinity Alp to the west as seen from Deadfall Summit. The trail crosses Deadfall Summit above Deadfall Lakes at the 8,020 foot elevation. Spring hikers may find snow at the summit and be able to enjoy the fragrant azaleas in bloom along the North Fork portions of the trail. Mountain meadows and a variety of conifer species occur through the area. Water is plentiful and campsites are found at frequent intervals. Fishing is popular along the North Fork of the Sacramento River which the trail follows, and at Deadfall Lakes near the western portion of the trail.

The Sisson-Callahan is one of 47 National Recreation Trails in the National Forests in California. The National Recreation was established by Congress in 1968 to promote public enjoyment and appreciation of the out-door areas of the nation. Designated as a National Recreation Trail in December, 1979, most of the Sisson-Callahan Trail follows a portion of the historical route from the town of Sisson (renamed Mt. Shasta) to the mining town of Callahan. 

Cattlemen, prospectors and trappers who came into the Upper Trinity Area from Scott Valley first established the trail in the mid-1800's. The trail was constructed around 1911 shortly after the creation of the Shasta National Forest. The trail linked the Callahan Ranger Station with the Forest Headquarters which was in Sisson (Mt. Shasta) at the time. The trail provided a much shorter route for Forest officers traveling between the two stations than the wagon road From Sisson to Gazelle and then up Willow Creek to Callahan. A telephone line was also maintained along the trail between the two stations. The trail also served as access to a Forest Service lookout on Mt. Eddy. The lookout was abandoned in 1931. The original Forest Service trail blazes may still be seen along the trail.

Beginning a 3,500 feet near Lake Siskiyou, the Sisson-Callahan Trail climbs to the 8,020 foot Deadfall Summit, the drops to 7,200 feet to tie in with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The trail can be traversed by foot or horseback. Walking from Parks Creek Summit to Lake Siskiyou is a good all-day trip for the average hiker. This route is all downhill from Deadfall Summit. The first half-mile of the trail above Lake Siskiyou is on private land. Please respect the rights of the private landowner.

How do I get there?

East end of the trail (North Shore Road) - From W.A. Barr Road (southwest of Mt. Shasta City) turn west onto the North Shore Road (40N27). Follow the North Shore Road to Deer Creek. Cross the wooden bridge on Deer Creek and take the left fork in the road at the next major intersection. Look for a parking place in this area that is off the main road. Within a quarter-mile you will come to the North Fork of the Sacramento River. You will have to wade across the river. Running parallel to the river is an old logging road. Follow this road for about a half-mile. The road will narrow, cross a small creek and lead into the Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail.

West end of the trail (Deadfall Lakes) - Take the Gazelle Exit off I-5 north of Weed. Cross under the freeway and turn right onto Old Highway 99. Follow Old 99 for approximately 1/2 mile to the Stewart Springs Road. Turn left onto the Stewart Springs Road and follow it to the junction with Forest Road (FR) 42N17. Turn right on FR 42N17 and follow it approximately 10 miles to the Parks Creek Summit. Parks Creek Summit is where the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses FR 42N17. You can start here and follow the PCT south 3.81 miles to Deadfall Lakes, or you can continue to drive on FR 42N17 to Deadfall Meadow and follow the trail 1.9 miles along the meadow up to Deadfall Lakes.

For further information about trail conditions or driving directions to this beautiful and historic trail please call the Mount Shasta Ranger Station at (530)926-4511.

Black Butte Trail

From the summit of Black Butte (6,325 feet), you will get a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Mount Shasta towers to the east. The city of Mt. Shasta and the Sacramento River canyon are to the south. Mt. Eddy and the Klamath Mountains are to the west. The town of Weed, the Shasta Valley and Mt. McLaughlin in Oregon are to the north.

Famed naturalist John Muir called it "Muir's Peak" when he visited the Mt. Shasta area during the late 1800's. Since that time, it has been successively named Wintoon Butte, Cone Mountain and, finally...Black Butte.

The trail to the summit was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's. This trail provided access to a Forest Service lookout that was built at the summit. Pack animals were used to bring supplies to the lookout. The original lookout was destroyed during the Columbus Day Storm of 1962. A new lookout was built the following year and was operated until 1973. During the fall of 1975, the lookout structure was removed and flown by helicopter to a new location above the Pit River. The only remaining evidence of the lookout is the concrete foundation at the summit.

Of volcanic origin, Black Butte is a steep, nearly treeless dome of hornblende andesite. It was formed about 10,000 years ago at about the same time as Shastina Crater on Mt. Shasta. A large crater first developed at the base of Mt. Shasta. Soon, very thick magma began to issue from the crater. Four successive eruptions of material with the consistency of cookie dough were forced above the crater rim. As the flow cooled, internal stress caused the lava to break into chunks that rolled down the side of the dome. Remnants of the solid core can be seen as crags near the summit.

The trail is about 2.56 miles from the trailhead to the summit. The trail is maintained annually, however the surface is extremely rocky and steep in places. There is no water available along the trail. There are also few shady spots along the trail and heat can be a factor in having an enjoyable hike during mid-summer. The total vertical climb from the trailhead to the summit is 1,845 feet. Although they are rarely seen, a good population of rattlesnakes live in and around Black Butte, so care must be taken to avoid these critters and hikers should wear appropriate footwear.

How do I get there?

From the Ranger Station in Mt. Shasta, drive east on Alma Street to the stop sign at Rockfellow Drive. Turn right and go one block to the stop sign at Everitt Memorial Highway. Turn left and continue approximately 2 miles up the Everitt Memorial Highway to the Black Butte Trailhead sign, located on the left side of the highway. Turn left and stay on the main dirt road for approximately 2.5 miles. Where the dirt road crosses under the overhead power line, take the dirt road to the left. Go approximately .5 mile on this road to the trailhead. Parking at the trailhead is very limited. Please park off the access road and turn around loop. The route is not recommended for busses or vehicles pulling trailers.

For further information, you may contact the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station at (530)926-4511.

Sims Flat Historic Trail

Located in the shadow of Mount Shasta, on the beautiful Upper Sacramento River Canyon, Sims Flat Campground abounds with history. This 1.0 mile trail brings the varied past of this place to life. Not very long ago, the sounds of a sawmill once whined through the air while a mountain railroad chugged its loads of log-laden cars. Later, in the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps set-up a multi-racial camp at Sims Flat--Company 978 from Oakland. Today, five signs at Sims Flat tell the colorful history of this unassuming place. You can also pick-up a brochure about Sims Flat at the Mount Shasta Ranger Station.

How do I get there?

Sims Flat Campground is about 40 miles north of Redding, Ca. just off of Interstate 5. Take the Sims exit, east. The road turns south and crosses the railroad tracks and the Sacramento River. Soon after crossing the river, you will see signs directing you to Sims Flat Campground.

Ah-Di-Na Historic Trail

Ten signs along this 0.25 mile trail highlight the strange twists and turns this land has witnessed: from its history as an Indian Settlement, through its development as a private fishing retreat. The McCloud's shimmering, clear, green waters and its abundant trout fishery attracted the well-to-do from San Francisco, eventually including the William Randolph Hearst family.

Historic photographs on the trail signs provide a peek into the lifestyle of the Hearst's and into the lives of the caretakers of their river retreat. The stories of farming, orcharding, and the fishing in the area are also told. Pick-up a leaflet about Ah-Di-Na's history from the McCloud Ranger Station. The land was acquired by the Forest Service in 1965. In 1990, an old log cabin at Ah-Di-Na was reconstructed by the Forest Service and volunteers. Traditional tools such as broad axes, log tongs, draw knives, and various chisels and sledges were used in the restoration work.

How do I get there?

The trail is located in the Ah-Di-Na Campground. It is a 45-minute drive south of the town of McCloud, California, partially on dirt roads. Travel on State Highway 89 to McCloud and turn south on Squaw Valley Creek Road; Follow it to the McCloud Reservoir. Signs from the reservoir will lead you to Ah-Di-Na. The trip is approximately 18 miles, one-way, from McCloud.

This trail is an easy hike.

US Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Last Modified:  Wednesday, 02 April 2008 at 19:36:03 EDT