Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Mount Shasta Wilderness Areas

Mt. Shasta Wilderness

The Mt. Shasta Wilderness was established in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. This 38,200 acre addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System contains many unique geologic and scenic features: a hot sulphur spring, seven glaciers, lava flows, waterfalls, buttes and canyons. Mt. Shasta is the second highest (to Mt. Rainier) of the Cascade Range volcanoes. Rising to an elevation of 14,162 feet, Mt. Shasta is a landmark that dominates the horizon for several hundred miles in all directions. Although it is believed the last eruption occurred in 1786, geologists still term Mt. Shasta as an "active" volcano.

Origin of the name "Shasta"

Popular as this name has become, historians are indefinite about its origin. "Shasta" could be derived from several sources: the Russian word "tshastal" meaning pure or white, the French word "chaste" also meaning pure, or some obscure Indian word used by native tribes which could have been picked up by white travelers. "Shasta" was also the reported name of an Indian tribe living near Yreka (California) in the 1840's, adding to the belief that the name is most likely of Indian origin.

Early Explorers

In 1817, Fray Narcisco Duran, a Spanish explorer, made the first recorded sighting of the mountain and called it "Jesus Maria". In 1841, The Wilkes Expedition named the mountain "Shasty Peak" and published the earliest known illustration. In 1847, Captain John Fremont, on his way to Klamath Falls (Oregon), saw the mountain and called it "Shastl". In 1855, Robert S. Williamson, a U.S. topographer reporting on possible railroad route between the Columbia and Sacramento Valleys, called the mountain " Shasta Butte".

Plants and Animals

Trees of the area include picturesque stunted red and white fir along with western white pine at the 8,000-foot elevation near timberline. At lower elevations one can find stands of pure red fir and mixed conifer forests that include hemlock, incense cedar, sugar pine, Jeffery pine, white fir, and Douglas fir. Some juniper, mountain mahogany and aspen exist on the northeast lava flows. Shrubs such as pinemat manzanita, greenleaf manzanita, tanoak, chinquapin, and snowbrush can be seen with mixed conifer forests.

The majority of Mt. Shasta's wildflowers are found below timberline. They are usually brilliant in July and early August. Eriogonum, lupine, aster, and yarrow are the most common.

Reptiles include the alligator lizard and fence lizard, commonly seen in the mixed conifer forest. Rattlesnakes are rarely encountered. Mammals include ground squirrels, coyotes, bear and deer. Finches and ravens are occasionally seen on and above the glaciers. Golden eagles, prairie falcons and red-tail hawks are occasionally seen at lower elevations.

Permits and Passes

A Wilderness Permit is required for entry into the Mt. Shasta Wilderness. There is no quota system and reservations are not required. Wilderness Permits are free and may be obtained from the Mt. Shasta or McCloud Ranger Stations, or self-issued at any trailheads that are open. Additionally, a Summit Pass is required for climbers going above 10,000 feet on the mountain. Summit Passes are $20 for 3 days and may be obtained from the Mt. Shasta or McCloud Ranger Stations during business hours or self-issued at permit stations located in front of the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station, Bunny Flat, Clear Creek, Northgate, and Brewer Creek Trailheads. Information requested on the permits may be vital should a rescue operation become necessary.

Weather

Mt. Shasta's weather is variable. The exposure to storms from the Pacific results in high winds and heavy snow accumulations. Major storms can occur at any time of the year. Like many other solitary mountains, Mt. Shasta intensifies existing weather conditions. With respect to weather, we recommend that you go prepared, be observant and anticipate dangers.

For any additional information you may need, please call the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station (530)926-4511, McCloud Ranger Station (530)964-2184, or visit the link below to the wilderness rangers website.

• Wilderness Rangers Page - A web site dedicated to climbing in the Mount Shasta Wilderness. Here you will find valuable information including trailhead locations, climbing routes, maps, summit pass information and safety advice to complete a successful climb of the mountain.

Castle Crags Wilderness

The Castle Crags Wilderness was established in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act. This 10,500 acre addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System contains towering spires, steep-sided canyons, and a few alpine lakes. Most of the area is covered by high brushfields and rocky outcrops with a few wet meadows in the creek headwaters. Mixed conifer forests can be found on the north, east and west facing slopes.

History

For thousands of years, the Indians living around the base of Castle Crags regarded this formation with awe and superstition, rarely if ever venturing up into its heights. After a few years of gold rush in the 1850's, the relationship between miners and Indians strained to a breaking point. The result was the 1855 Battle of Castle Crags, which marked the beginning of the long and drawn-out Modoc War. The primary location of this battle was at the northwest end of the Crags between what is now known as Battle Rock and Castle Lake.

By 1886, construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad through the Sacramento River canyon was completed, resulting in extensive lumber and mining operations. Chromium mines were operating as late as the 1950's in one part of Castle Crags. Today none are operational, and most mines have been swallowed up by the re-emerging wilderness. In 1933, concerned citizens succeeded in acquiring much of the land that became the Castle Crags State Park.

Numerous resorts and hotels also flourished throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's; many were built around the mineral springs discovered by the miners. Castle Rock Mineral Water won numerous awards regionally and statewide. Although most of these resorts no longer exist, a few of the historic buildings can still be found in the Castella area.

Geology

Castle Crags forms a small portion of the Klamath Mountains geological province. Rocks within the province consist predominately of volcanic and sedimentary types. However, granite bodies (plutons) intruded many parts of the province during the Jurassic time. Castle Crags is one of these plutons.

The towering crags and spires from which the Castle Crags pluton derives its name are especially prominent to the west of Interstate 5 between the towns of Castella and Dunsmuir. Elevations range from 2,000 feet along the Sacramento River to over 6,500 feet at the summit of the highest crags. The Castle Crags area has been heavily glaciated. As a result several lakes can be found in the western section of the Castle Crags Wilderness. Among them are Gray Rock Lake, Timber Lake and Little Castle Lake.

Plants and Animals

Trees of the area range from mostly live oak in the lower elevations to red fir, Jeffery pine and weeping spruce (also known as Brewer spruce) near the Crags summit. Mixed conifer forests include western yew, Port-Orford cedar, incense cedar, sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white fir and lodgepole pine. Broadleaf trees such as bigleaf maple, vine maple, black oak and Pacific dogwood can be found in the area. Poison oak is also common at lower elevations.

Shrubs include azalea, ledum, and tanoak in the moist areas, while dry slopes are dominated by greanleaf manzanita, pinemat manzanita, wedge-leaf ceanothus, whitethorn, snowbrush and deerbrush.

The area contains over 300 varieties of herbaceous wildflowers. Indian rhubarb, tiger lily, pitcher plant and yellow monkey flower can be found in the moist areas. Cycladenia, yarrow, aster and eriogonum are found on drier sites. The Castle Crags hairbell (Campanula shetleri) is a flower found only in the Crags.

Birds of the wilderness include jays, ravens, warblers and other common woodland species. Hawks, golden eagles and peregrine falcons are also known to inhabit this area.

Reptiles common to the area are lizards and rattlesnakes. Although the local variety of rattlesnake (Crotalis viridis) is neither as poisonous or aggressive as the southern variety, caution is still advised.

Mammals include the common ground squirrel, coyote, mule deer, bobcat, mountain lion and black bear. Martens and fishers are rare but occasionally seen.

Hiking in the Crags

There are 27.8 miles of developed and maintained trails within the Castle Crags Wilderness, accessed by 9 designated trailheads. The Castle Dome Trail, Indian Springs Trail, Root Creek Trail, and Bob's Hat Trail are reached via the Castle Crags State Park. The Little Castle Lake/Mt. Bradley Trails are accessed from Castle Lake. The Gray Rock Trail is reached by an unmaintained natural surface road that branches from the South Fork (of the Sacramento River) Road.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs for 19 miles through the wilderness, giving many scenic views of the Crags. The PCT can be accessed from the Soapstone Trail and the Gumboot Saddle Trailhead, both of which are reached from the South Fork Road. The PCT is also accessible via Dog Trail (off of Whalen Road), from the Soda Creek exit of Interstate 5, and through the Castle Crags State Park.

There is no trail through the spires of the Crags. Although the rock formations look tempting to rock climbers and other recreationists, safety factors would limit this activity to only a few areas. Most of the Crags formation exhibits a geologic process called exfoliation - the peeling off and crumbling of the ancient granite rock, leaving unstable surfaces.

A wilderness permit is required for entry into the Castle Crags Wilderness. These free permits may be obtained from the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station or Castle Crags State Park.

Castle Crags State Park

Part of Castle Crags State Park is adjacent and within the Wilderness. Restrictions applying to the State Park lands include:

• Camping in designated sites only.

• Campfires, barbecues and gas stoves are allowed only in designated sites.

• Smoking only in designated campgrounds.

• No hunting or firearms.

For additional information about the Castle Crags Wilderness, please call or write the offices listed below:

US Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Last Modified:  Saturday, 20 December 2008 at 12:37:01 EST